Farber Health Services Director Named Employee of the Semester

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University’s Council on Staff Affairs named Farber Health Services Director Dr. Dan Messcher as Employee of the Semester today in recognition of his commitment to health education and dedication to employee collaboration.

Messcher’s co-workers nominated the father of three to be added to the list of 26 names on the Employee of the Semester plaque that has hung in the president’s office since 1994, when COSA created the honor to recognize outstanding faculty and staff.

“I am honored and proud, but I think that everyone here works hard and deserves an award like this,” said Messcher, who has worked at VSU for nearly 5 years. “The university is about teamwork, so I can’t take too much credit.”

Rita Collins, Farber Health Services Nurse Manager, credits the former U.S. Air Force physician with enhancing departmental partnerships on campus to provide students with comprehensive health education.

“I have worked here for more than 30 years. I could have retired, but I haven’t because of Dr. Messcher and what he has done for this health center,” Collins said. “We are now going out to the students with health screening opportunities and health education instead of waiting for them to come to us when they get sick.”

The Employee of the Month, which is named each spring and fall semesters, is also given a reserved parking spot and $100, which Messcher said he will use to take Farber staff out to lunch.

COSA also recognized four VSU personnel with Certificates of Recognition. Debra Holley, senior secretary for the Department of Political Science, has worked for VSU for 18 years and won an Employee of the Semester award in 2002. Judy Bailey, an accounting clerk in VSU’s Odum Library, has worked at the university for 24 years. This is her second Certificate of Recognition. University Police (Public Safety investigator) Sgt. Cindy Cobb and Delois Robey, a Custodial I staff member with Auxiliary Services, were also honored with certificates.

VSU’s campus dining service, Sodexho, Inc., presented Messcher and certificate winners with Chick-fil-A meal vouchers.
“It’s great to see VSU employees recognized by their peers as being someone who is exceptional,” said COSA chair and VSU Horticulturalist, Bobby Flowers. “The award is a great way to let your colleagues know they are making a difference.”

COSA is an organization of VSU faculty and staff created in 1992 to represent VSU employees. COSA addresses staff concerns, job development and the general welfare of classified employees. In addition to the Employee Recognition Program, COSA sponsors staff appreciation days and lunches. The group also implemented the VSU Retirement Walkway and partnered in the development of VSU’s tuition remission policy.

For more information about COSA, contact the organization’s chair, Bobby Flowers at (229) 259-2528.