Department of Human Resources
Office of Student Employment

UMD "Student Employee of the Year" 2008

First Runner Up

Sean Figg
RSOP Climbing Facilities Coordinator
Senior Climbing Instructor
Outdoor Trip Leader

Nominated by Kaija Webster

Dear Student Employee of the Year Award Committee Members,

Please accept this nomination of Sean Figg for UMD Student Employee of the Year for 2008. In my job as Climbing Coordinator for UMD, I am fortunate to work with many exceptional students who are highly skilled and are leaders among their peers. Within this group, Sean stands out as exemplary. He is a leader among leaders and his contribution to the University community is significant.
In his position as Climbing Facility Coordinator, Sean is responsible for the inspection, safety and upkeep of all components of UMD’s two indoor climbing walls. Each time someone ties into a rope, they can be assured that the rope, anchors and all related equipment have been recently inspected by Sean and found to be in good working order. If anything is found lacking, Sean removes it from service and replaces it with new equipment. In addition to bringing any problems to my attention, he proposes changes to our policies designed to prevent the problems from happening in the future. In fact, during Sean’s tenure he has made several improvements to our internal policies and procedures to make our facilities safer and more enjoyable for all participants. The position Sean holds requires maturity, skills, knowledge, initiative, attention to detail as well as a big picture view. Sean’s contributions during his tenure will enhance our program well into the future.
In addition to his Facility Coordinator role, Sean serves as the program’s Senior Climbing Instructor. He achieved this position through years of hard work and personal initiative. With his own time and resources, Sean pursued and received a national climbing instructor certification through the American Mountain Guides Association reserved for only the top climbing instructors in the country. Sean serves as a mentor and role model for all other instructors on staff. They view Sean with immense respect and learn daily from his example of professionalism and high quality work. Sean’s positive influence among the staff is evident and he takes deliberate care to work with those new instructors who need more individual time and attention. Each semester I check in with staff on a one-on-one basis and Sean’s name comes up often as instructors tell me about the things that influence and inspire them in their jobs.
With his knowledge and background, Sean has contributed to the quality and variety of the instructional programs we offer. Sean has created new skill clinics and improved traditional ones. Participants notice and value the high level of quality Sean brings. Here is a quote from a note I received this fall from a middle school group coordinator who had visited the climbing wall with his students:
“Our club had a wonderful time last night! A big thank you to the instructors especially Sean. The kids talked about the experience the entire ride home. Sean did an exceptional job working one on one with students where they were at, challenging them, and in his instruction. He had a great balance of humor, stressing fitness, demonstration, safety, and review. He made a big impression on them!”

This is just one example of many positive responses to Sean’s work, both written and verbal.

For the past several years, Sean has also served as a trip leader for UMD’s Freshman Trips and will lead a Spring Break Trip this March. The role of trip leader requires an additional level of responsibility, initiative, training, skills, communication and ability to manage safety and tend to the experience of each trip participant. Again, Sean fulfills the role of leader with commitment and excellence. And again, the University benefits greatly from the impact these trips have on students in both recruitment and retention.
I believe that Sean deserves to be UMD’s Student Employee of the Year. Sean is an exceptional staff member and a quality person. It’s his fourth and final year as an instructor, outstanding leader and facility coordinator. Sean creates a safe and positive environment in every setting in which he works. He treats others with dignity and respect and earns their respect in return. Because of Sean’s efforts, the University is a better, safer and more enjoyable place to be. I hope you will reward him for the high quality of his character and the unique value of his contribution to UMD.

Cordially,

Kaija Webster
UMD Recreational Sports Outdoor Program