Tarleton names 2009 Employee of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 24, 2009


STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS—Tarleton State University recently named Cathy Wilterding as its 2009 Employee of the Year. Wilterding is a coordinator for outreach and instruction services for the university’s Dick Smith Library.

“When they announced my name I was thrilled, excited, nervous and afraid that I would cry – which, of course, I did because I felt pretty overwhelmed and grateful,” Wilterding said. “Also, I was extremely glad that my husband, Dan, had invited my family and our close neighbors to be at the banquet. I hadn’t told them about the banquet, but Dan did and got tickets for them. They kept it a secret and surprised me by being there. It made me very happy that they got to share in the experience with me.”

Wilterding’s family has had a strong presence at the university for a number of years. Her great grandfather attended Tarleton in the early 1900s followed by her grandmother, great aunt, mother, father, sisters and husband, as well as Cathy herself.

Wilterding received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tarleton and was hired as an instructor in the English department in 1991. After completing her master of library science degree, she was hired as an academic librarian for the university library.

In her work with the library, Wilterding instructs students on research techniques and library operations. Dr. Marilyn Duran, assistant professor of nursing, noticed Wilterding going the extra mile for the students.

“Cathy has been very helpful in encouraging my students to believe that they can succeed in research,” Duran wrote when nominating Wilterding for the award. “Each semester Cathy teaches my students how to get the research information they need. She teaches in a simplified way that makes it fun and interesting. Cathy provides her card with her contact number so the student has that extra personal connection with a library person who understands their needs and concerns.”

Wilterding was Tarleton’s July 2009 Employee of the Month. She was honored at the university’s annual Employee of the Year banquet along with other recipients of the monthly award. These included Judy Arndt, Michael Ables, James Wiley, Jean Carr, Alan Magnani, Joanna Ince, Venetta Skinner, Darlene Barton, Tony Richmond, Marenda Horton and Cheryl Rhoades.

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