Employee of the Year
The 2024-2025 Campus Recreation, Mick J. Ostrander, Student Employee of the Year is Abigail Lee!
Abigail joined the Campus Recreation team in August 2023 as a Member Services attendant and has quickly become an invaluable member of our department. Her journey with us has been marked by her dedication and commitment to excellence. In April 2024, Abigail expanded her skill set by cross-training as a Fitness Floor attendant, showcasing her versatility and eagerness to learn. Shortly thereafter, she earned a promotion to Equipment Issue Assistant Manager, where she has taken on greater responsibilities and demonstrated exceptional leadership. By August 2024, Abigail was promoted to Student Facility Supervisor, further solidifying her role as a leader among her peers. Additionally, she is an active member of the CREC Connect Committee, contributing to initiatives that enhance our community engagement.
Abigail's commitment to professional development is evident in her participation as a National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Region III Lead-On Conference attender and member of the conference planning committee from November 2025 - January 2025. She then became a scholarship winner to attend the conference at Grand Valley State University in January 2025. More recently, she has been a crucial member of the Member Services student employee hiring committee, where she has been very involved and committed to shaping the future of our team by helping to select new members who align with our values, assisting in the hiring process, and providing support throughout onboarding and training.
Her academic achievements are equally impressive. In March 2025, Abigail was recognized with an award from the SIUE School of Business, reflecting her dedication to her studies. She is an active member of the SIUE American Marketing Association and the Society for Human Resource Management, as well as a member of Campus Outreach which is a faith-based organization, These commitments demonstrate Abigail’s commitment to both her professional growth and community involvement.
Outside of her work and academic pursuits, Abigail is deeply engaged in her community. She regularly attends Metro Church in Edwardsville, IL, where she is a small group member. When back home, she contributes her time to the Tremont Community Festival each summer, in addition to volunteering as a Pre-K music teacher at Tremont Baptist Church. She enjoys and highly values her time back home, where she gets to reconnect and spend time with her community.
Abigail's initiative-taking attitude, strong work ethic, and ability to mentor new employees have made a lasting positive impact on our department. When she sees an opportunity to help, assist and support her coworkers, she takes it every time without a doubt. She will go above and beyond for patrons, members, and students alike, finding creative ways to support the SIUE student in their recreational journey. Her dedication to being a contributing member of her community, combined with her willingness to go above and beyond, makes her an outstanding choice for the Student Employee of the Year Award.
Abigail is incredibly thankful for the years with Campus Recreation so far, and for the connections she has made patrons and coworkers alike. Her favorite part of working at the
Student Fitness Center is getting to work with awesome coworkers. She expresses that “They make my job so fun, and I love getting to interact with them and with patrons!”.
For this summer, Abigail will be working as a Talent Acquisition Intern for OSF Healthcare. She is extra excited about this opportunity as her dream career is to work in talent acquisition for a corporate company, ideally in a hospital. So, while she is taking on a different challenge this summer, she is excited to come back to the Student Fitness Center in the fall for another great year, and we are equally excited to have her. As Abigail continues to excel in her roles within Campus Recreation and beyond, we are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly make in the future. Her journey is just beginning, and we are proud to have her as part of the SIUE Campus Recreation family!
Previous Student Employee's of the Year
2023-2024 2014-2015
David Dempsey Kirstie Chase
2022-2023 2013-2014
Olivia Beckwith Daniel Cluphf
2021-2022 2012-2013
Kelly Cruise Sean Ehrhardt
2020-2021 2011-2012
Tamryn Williams Jenny Bealmear
2019-2020 2010-2011
Olivia Middendorf Rachel Ward
2018-2019 2009-2010
Corey Wachter Jenna Schneider
2017-2018 2008-2009
Kourtney Klette Lauren Spencer
2016-2017 2007-2008
Cody Snyder Jen Davenport
2015-2016 2006-2007
Abby Edwards Kandace Roberts
History of this Award:
Every year the SIUE Department of Campus Recreation awards one of its student-employees the SIUE Campus Recreation Michael J Ostrander Student Employee of the Year, in honor of long-time Campus Recreation director, Michael (Mick) J. Ostrander, who provided 30 years of service to SIUE Campus Recreation. The criteria to even be considered for this award includes:
• High GPA
• 1-year minimum service to Campus Recreation
• Involvement in student life on Campus
• And an involvement in at least 1 outside community service organization
Those Campus Recreation student-employees who meet the above criteria are then scored by their immediate supervisor(s) and voted on by the Campus Recreation professional staff and graduate assistants.
