The Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences community is fortunate to have many talented and hardworking students, staff, and faculty. CALS recently awarded two department staff. Jillene Fisch, an administrative assistant, received a University Staff Recognition Award. Beth Ann A. Workmaster received the CALS Equity and Diversity Award.
Fisch is an administrative assistant in the department’s main office. Her role covers many important areas in the department. For example, Fisch mails soybean cyst nematode soil testing kits for the Bean Team, arranges travel for guests, and updates building displays. Of her duties, her favorite is organizing special events.
When Fisch isn’t at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and cats, rings in a handbell choir, and serves multiple roles in her church.
Workmaster is an academic staff researcher in the Fruit Crops Research and Extension Lab. There, she guides graduate students in their research and manages the workings of the lab. Of all the projects she works on, Workmaster is especially fond of projects on woody plant cold hardiness.
Outside of work, Workmaster enjoys spending time in the outdoors, especially hiking and birding, with her spouse Linda. She is also dedicated to learning about the full range of American history to better support social justice causes.
The CALS community will honor award recipients on Tuesday, May 7. The ceremony will be at 3 p.m. in the Lake Mendota Room in the Dejope Residence Hall. RSVP for the event by Tuesday, April 23.