Michael Bauer is Valdosta State University’s Fall 2015 Employee of the Semester.
 
Bauer, who has worked at VSU since 1987, is a carpenter in the Building Maintenance Shop, a division of Plant Operations. He coordinates and schedules the daily activities of 18 technicians, including the locksmith and boiler technician, as well as carpenters, painters, plumbers, and welders.
 
“It is definitely an honor to receive this award,” said Bauer. “I always like to say that I am at the bottom of the food chain, but not in a bad way. We are here to support the students first, and then the faculty and staff. If it wasn’t for the students, none of us would be working here today.”
 
“I’ve been so fortunate to work at Valdosta State University,” he continued. “I would have to say that diversity is the biggest reason why I have stuck around for so long.”
 
Bauer was nominated for Employee of the Semester by his supervisor, Michael Knight, mechanical supervisor with Plant Operations
 
Knight said that Bauer has “has selflessly served the campus community behind the scenes for over 20 years with the sole purpose of leaving it better than he found it.” He described Bauer as a leader and a planner capable of rallying the troops to get the job done quickly and correctly.
 
“Mike is always thinking of the customer and their satisfaction in everything he does,” Knight continued. “He sets the example when it comes to customer service.”
 
Bauer and his wife, Linda Joan, have been married for 41 years. They have two children, Kristina and Kourtney, and four grandchildren.
 
In his spare time, Bauer enjoys collecting antiques.
 
Heidi Duthoy-O’Connor, staff counselor in The Counseling Center, and Jessica Taylor, senior secretary in the Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences, were runners-up for VSU’s Fall 2015 Employee of the Semester. Other nominees included Benjamin Li, Information Technology; Irina McClellan, Center for International Programs; Derrick Carter, Sarah-Jane McNalley, and Melissa Moore-Nolley, College of Arts and Sciences; and Kurt Oliva and Brenda Wade, Physical Plant and Facilities Planning.
 
VSU’s Council on Staff Affairs presents the Employee of the Semester Award at the end of every fall and spring semester. All full-time classified staff employees are eligible for the award.