Outstanding Saint Martin’s College staff member honored

Tuesday, June 11, 2002

Lacey, Wash. - Orris Berg, maintenance supervisor for the office of plant and operations at Saint Martin’s College and a member of the college staff since 1991, is the recipient of the college’s 2002 Father Philip Bagan Award for service.

The award is given annually to an employee who demonstrates excellence of service to the college and its students. It is named for Father Philip Bagan, O.S.B., a professor of classical languages who died in 1992. Employees are nominated by students and co-workers.

In his capacity as maintenance supervisor, Berg is responsible for overseeing and coordinating a broad range of installation, repair and maintenance work necessary to maintain and improve the college’s many buildings. He also inspects completed work to ascertain it is of high quality and in conformance with building codes.

Berg was chosen for the award because of his commitment and resourcefulness. He has seen the college through fire repairs, the renovation of the Old Main building and many other major projects. His willing spirit is just as evident in the small jobs he takes on each day to help faculty, staff and students make their spaces more efficient, workable and comfortable. Despite a small budget, he continually finds ways to fulfill their wishes and needs.

“Orris has been a dedicated, attentive cornerstone of Saint Martin’s for many years,” says Bill McGregor, the college’s director of facilities management. “He’s a valuable asset and resource for this institution and is very deserving of the award. He was one of the first employees I heard about when I started two years ago. Everyone said, ‘If you have anything that needs attention, call Orris’.”

Co-worker Kevin Scott, director of Sodexho Food Service, is among those who say they continually owe a great debt to Berg for his good deeds. Berg recently built Scott an office, adding several built-in conveniences. It is the latest of many jobs Berg has done for the college’s food service, Scott says.

“I couldn’t think of anyone better to work with as far as maintenance goes,” he said. “Orris has been very responsive to us. Because he realizes the importance of the food service, he keeps us up and running.”

Berg’s spare time also is spent at Saint Martin’s, where he rarely misses a sporting event and is a longtime supporter of the Saints athletic program.

For more information:
Holly Harmon
Director, Office of Communication
360-438-4332 or hharmon@stmartin.edu