Outstanding Service Award

Lashaway honored by Classified Staff Council

Steve Lashaway“BGSU is a better place to work because of Steve Lashaway!” wrote one of Lashaway’s colleagues in nominating him for the Classified Staff Outstanding Service Award. Lashaway was honored both for his service to the University as lead electrician and his advocacy in behalf of classified staff.

A 30-year employee who retired in April, Lashaway was presented the award at the Classified Staff Council (CSC) annual spring reception on May 20. Along with it came a $1,000 check and a plaque bearing his name, to be permanently displayed on the second floor of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

“He has an attitude of  ‘Let’s make things better,” and “Why don’t we try this?” which aids him in helping make improvements to buildings, processes, energy savings, labor and employment and more,” said Gail Houtz, past chair of CSC.

Lashaway for many years “kept the lights on” at BGSU, and came to know every building, tunnel and breaker box on campus. Always on call, he was reliably on campus nights and weekends during emergencies to make sure there was electrical service, said Terry Carver.

“On any given weekend you could find Steve on call at one of the Athletics Department sporting events,” wrote Linda Kidd, senior budget coordinator in intercollegiate athletics. “I recall one football game where the power went out — the entire stadium filled with cheering Falcons went dead. It wasn't long before we were up and running again thanks to Steve's ability to handle the situation under great pressure.” 

Always focused and professional with his work, he was the liaison with outside contractors and continually took “the effort to continue learning new processes through all the upgrades, changes and modifications the University has made over the years,” Houtz said.

A longtime member of Classified Staff Council, Lashaway served on and chaired the CSC Salary Compensation Committee for many years.

“He has always been passionate about the work of the committee, leading the group toward better ideas and advocating for classified staff benefits, salary, and improved employment relations with the University administration,” Houtz said. “Steve is always working with the attitude of collaboration and in a shared governance manner, always working with the effort to keep open communication. He serves as a true leader and advocate with his genuine care and concern for the personal welfare of the classified employees of the University.”

In 2013-14, Lashaway participated in the Aon Hewitt Classification Specification Project to update what had been established in 1984. “This was a very time-consuming and critical development plan for Classified Staff, and Steve represented his area and the trades extremely well. This project opened new ground for all classified staff now and in the future, as procedures are in place for positions yet to come,” Carver said.

“He is fair, determined and an outstanding leader,” Kidd said. “This one person truly made a difference at BGSU.”