Appalachian Laboratory Coordinator Cami Martin was awarded the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Staff Excellence Award for a 20-year dedication to the university and to the success of the Appalachian Laboratory. The facility’s expert on purchasing and procurement, her duties include inventory control, managing vehicles for critical fieldwork and travel, and facilities administration.
“This well-deserved recognition of her significant contributions to our lab and employees. She routinely goes above and beyond to significantly improve and enhance our unit,” said Appalachian Laboratory Director Dave Nelson. “She leads by example and is always the first to step in when any need arises—whether or not it fits into her regularly assigned duties.”
Martin is lauded for her boundless enthusiasm and positive impact on the Frostburg-based campus culture, particularly for her tireless efforts to her efforts to help the students and make them feel like part of the community, and her commitment to keeping the lab a safe and healthy environment, particularly during the pandemic when she spent countless hours seeking out personal protective equipment for the lab and pitched in to assist with routine cleaning responsibilities.
Martin began her employment at UMCES Appalachian Laboratory in 2001 as a part time office assistant, and it was soon clear she had a keen eye for detail and superior organizational skills. By 2004, she had been promoted to full-time accounting clerk with her primary duty handling procurement. As her responsibilities grew, she was promoted several times, most recently in 2015 to coordinator.
“Cami’s amicable nature is boundless. She undertakes any and every duty—no matter how seemingly significant or insignificant—with a positive demeanor. She makes a point to check in on new students when they first arrive at the lab to ensure they have the resources and support that they need. If a faculty or staff member is going through a health or family issue, she makes sure that they know that they are valued and cared about,” said Appalachian Laboratory Associate Director Heather Johnson.
The facility has experienced serious building emergencies that Martin has led efforts to mitigate. A building fire was prevented because she worked with the Frostburg State University campus police to determine the source of heat and smoke. When a sprinkler line froze and burst while the lab was closed for the winter holidays, she worked for hours with the facilities manager to clean up the water, assess damage, and contact contractors to make repairs. She even volunteered to help remove snow during the 2009-2010 Snowmageddon winter in which Frostburg received close to 300 inches of snow.
The UMCES Staff Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who consistently demonstrates a high level of commitment and dedication to UMCES, has a positive impact on their work environment, is flexible and demonstrates cooperation and collaboration among their peers and supervisor while carrying out their job duties. For more on the Staff Excellence Award, visit HERE.
