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SOE’s Katy Wiswall Named Baylor Outstanding Staff Member [3/5/2015]

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Head shot – Katy Wiswall – 01/21/2015

Katy Wiswall

Katy Wiswall, BBA ’92, MACC ’11, financial and grants manager for the School of Education(SOE), was named an outstanding staff member of Baylor University at a ceremony in Waco Hall in January. She was among eight Baylor employees honored.

Also honored was former SOE staffer Andrea Baker, who moved recently to the new College of Health and Human Sciences. In addition, SOE graduate Jon Capron, BSEd ’03, MSEd ’05, who is assistant head coach of Baylor’s cross country team, received the BaylorPLUS Award. Baylor’s Department of Human Resources hosted the awards ceremony, and all awards were presented by Baylor President Ken Starr.

Wiswall has worked for Baylor for 15 years and is the main resource for financial matters in the School of Education. She played a key role in the 2013 move of the School of Education from Draper Academic Center to Marrs McLean Science Building and, more recently, has been instrumental in the transition of one of the SOE’s departments to the new College of Health and Human Sciences. The award citation from Human Resources noted Wiswall’s positive attitude and habit of going above and beyond what is expected through these and other challenges.

Wiswall’s award nomination form included statements from nearly a dozen Baylor faculty members, fellow staffers and community friends attesting to her expertise and generosity.

SOE Dean Dr. Jon Engelhardt said, “Katy is remarkably humble about the value she adds to the SOE. Faculty see her as a strong source of support and guidance.”

Dr. Trena Wilkerson, professor of Curriculum and Instruction and principle investigator on a multi-million-dollar GEAR UP grant lasting several years, said Wiswall’s talent and expertise was essential in implementing the grant. “Katy was invaluable in supporting our budget work, which was immense. It is a joy to work with someone who is so talented and such a financial expert,” she said.

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Andrea Baker (left) and Katy Wiswall at the presentation ceremony in Waco Hall

Andrea Baker was graduate coordinator for the School of Education, assisting associate dean Dr. Rodney Bowden until last year, when both moved to the new College of Health and Human Sciences. Baker is now assistant to the dean for the College of Health and Human Sciences, where Bowden is executive associate dean.

Baker was honored for her role as facilitator for the implementation team in the creation of the new college and the move of the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation into its new home.

The citation honoring Baker noted she was an important resource to both the School of Education and the College of Health and Human Sciences. She not only trained replacements for her role in the SOE, but she also served as virtually the sole source of administrative support for the new college during its beginning.

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Coach Cap receiving the BaylorPLUS Award from Baylor President Ken Starr

Jon Capron received the BaylorPLUS Award, a citation that is given to one employee per year who is selected from among nominations that come in throughout the year. BaylorPLUS honors that employee as a “shining example of service to the Baylor family.”

Capron, who is in his 12th season as an assistant coach, was honored for his personal care for a student athlete whose family member suffered an unexpected and rapidly debilitating illness. Coach Cap, as he is known, made sure he was at the student’s apartment when he received sad news, comforted and prayed with the student, and ensured safe travel to the funeral. When the student flew into Waco on the return trip, he found that Coach Cap had brought the entire team to meet him.

Congratulations to our SOE employees and graduates who go “above and beyond” to serve Baylor every day.

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