October Star Award
Sharon Hybke

Academic department associate Sharon Hybke undertook additional job responsibilities while braving summer construction, earning her the Star Award for the month of October.

Hybke joined the communication department at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 1990. Since then, she has surpassed the expectations of her colleagues. “She kept the department together during construction this summer and is starting the year with smile — that is truly amazing,” said Angela Westphal, ommunication department.

In addition to obstacles caused by construction, Hybke’s position offers daily challenges.
“We have such a range of majors within our department. I have to know everything about everything because I’m not doing the same thing every day,” Hybke said.

Hybke’s favorite part of the job is working with students. She interviews, hires and supervises the department’s student workers. “I love having the students back,” Hybke said. “I remind myself that it could be my daughter or son coming in with a question, so that helps me get in the students’ perspective.”

This is Hybke’s second Star Award, though she received the award under unusual circumstances in 2003 — her name was picked from a hat at Classified Staff Development and Appreciation Day. Her winning the current award, however, was the result of nominations from her colleagues.