Gail Larson, who works in Student Accounts at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, has been named the recipient of the February STAR Award.

Larson was nominated by Michelle Munns, who works in the Veterans Resource Center at UW Oshkosh.

Portions of Larson’s nomination follows:

“It is my pleasure to nominate Gail Larson for the STAR Award in recognition of her exceptional efforts and selfless service. Gail Larson is an outstanding professional and colleague. In addition to her other duties, Gail is responsible for the almost 600 veteran student accounts. She manually applies State GI Bill waivers to over 400 students each semester and continually monitors them as enrollment changes. This amounts up to almost 1 million dollars in tuition and fees that is tracked and managed.

“There are several types of VA benefits that all pay for different educational charges. Gail is a huge support to me in tracking and reporting these charges accordingly. Without her, my job would be unbearable.

“Students take comfort in knowing that they can always contact Gail with any concerns or questions they have about their account. VA Benefits and financial aid can be confusing and sometimes stressful to students and Gail assists them to understand their account and if there is any payment needed from the student, she works with them as much as she can, setting up payment plans.

“Her positivity is contagious. Every time I see Gail, she has a smile on her face. Even in the most stressful and busiest of times, she finds the positive in the situation. Gail’s optimism and positive demeanor shines through and affects everyone she comes in contact with.”

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