Nelson honored as UCSC 2014 Service Excellence Award winner

Four University of Colorado staff members received Service Excellence Awards for their contributions to the university, their campuses and communities during the University of Colorado Staff Council (UCSC) retreat on April 18.

The honoree from the Boulder campus, Kenneth Nelson is a police administrative supervisor. He serves as a communications dispatcher, including serving as a 911 operator who takes initial emergency calls from the public, and also oversees hiring processes, payroll and personnel issues. Nelson has worked at the university for four years and also is a student; he’ll graduate with a master’s degree in business administration.

In addition to his duties with the university, “Kenny … is an equal-opportunity volunteer,” said Police Chief Melissa Zak.

He regularly donates blood to the Bonfils Blood Center, and it’s estimated that those contributions have touched the lives of at least 75 people in the state. He also donates his time to the city of Thornton’s Snowbusters program, which pairs volunteers with seniors and disabled residents who have difficulty removing snow from their sidewalks after winter storms. During the 2013 flood, Nelson and his wife volunteered on weekends to help Longmont residents with clean-up efforts. He also volunteers with the Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center, and volunteered more than 304 hours in 2013.

“When we talk about giving back to our community, Kenny does just that – he gives back, without expected compensation or quid pro quo,” Zak said. “He gives without complaining and understands the hardships and plight of others. He exemplifies a sustained commitment to the Front Range community, which includes the Boulder campus.”

In January 2014, he received both the Bronze and Silver Presidential Volunteer Service Awards.

He is a member of the Employee Wellness Committee and is designing the written protocols as well as identifying the various genres associated with employee wellness. He also personally assists employees during times of crisis.

Read the full story, and all the honoree profiles, in CU Connections.