ISU Bengal

Issue date: 4/11/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Samantha Evans

The ISU Office of Human Resources has selected Travis Cottrell, a student employee in the Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC), as the 2007-2008 Student Employee of the Year. Cottrell, a junior majoring in outdoor education, was awarded a $2,000 scholarship, as well as a personal plaque in recognition of his outstanding work in the OAC and as a student at a lunch held in his honor in the Center's main office Monday afternoon.

"This is great," said Cottrell about winning the award. "It's very rewarding to know that hard work pays off. I really appreciate everything ISU offers students."

Cottrell added jokingly that he planned to spend the money wisely pursuing his education by buying a new Kayak.

"We're very proud of him," said Cottrell's parents, Bruce and Vicki Cottrell, who were in attendance at the award lunch. "He's done a great job, and we couldn't be more proud."

Cottrell was nominated for the award by Peter Joyce, Outdoor Recreation Coordinator for the OAC, who had a very unique experience with Cottrell during a winter OAC trip. Both Cottrell and Joyce had made snow caves for the camping trip, which collapsed while they were in their individual caves. According to Joyce, Cottrell was able to shake himself free of the packed snow that had fallen on him, but Joyce was unable to. In fact, no one except Cottrell had even known that Joyce's cave had collapsed as well. Cottrell proceeded to quickly dig Joyce out from under the collapsed cave, essentially saving his life.

"It shows he can react well in situations of dire need that we all know are involved in our field," said Joyce of Cottrell's quick actions. "It's been a great pleasure to work with him."

Stacey Giokas, Employment Coordinator in the ISU Office of Human Resources, said that the Cottrell's nomination stood out above a group of other excellent and qualified nominees.

"Reading the nomination for Travis was incredible," said Giokas. "Saving someone's life….I mean wow."

Giokas mentioned at the beginning of the award lunch, "Student employees serve a very vital function at ISU. There are about 4,000 employees on the pay roll for ISU, and about half of those are students employees."

In light of this fact, however, the number of nominations turned in was very disappointing. According to Giokas, only eight eligible nominations were received. The total number of nominations was higher, but because of the base requirements, especially the Fall 2007 semester enrollment requirement, caused several nominations to be disqualified.

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