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'Tis the Season for Giving Thanks

'Tis the Season for Giving Thanks

Posted November 24, 2011 by Amy Jo Miller – Comments

Thanks

As we celebrate the holiday that some affectionately refer to as Turkey Day, I'm sure most of us start to reflect on the things in life we have to be thankful for – the true spirit of the holiday – although the turkey and trimmings are divine!

In the spirit of things, we at OnlinePlus decided to gather around this virtual table, hold hands, and share all that we’re thankful for; we encourage you to do the same! I'll go ahead and get things started...

Amy Jo Miller, marketing writer

Personally, I'm thankful for:

My faith, and an exciting opportunity to find a new church with our move in December – suggestions welcome!
My husband – having grown up together, he's a huge part of who I am, and I'll throw in the rest of my family here too.
Our soon to be new home! So incredibly blessed to get to call this house home at this point in our lives!

Professionally, I am thankful for:

The chance to come to work every day with the ultimate responsibility of simply being creative.
This new opportunity to work for a company that puts emphasis and resources into my professional growth.
My new team – it's always scary to start at a new place not really knowing the people you'll be working with on a daily basis, but I'm thankful to be working next to someone that is incredibly talented, dependable and competent at what she does!

Steve Juarez, application and database developer

Personally, I'm thankful for:

My friends and family. They make me laugh, smile and make my life everything that it is.
To have enough fitness that I can get up on the weekend and enjoy the wonderful area we live in.
That I was born in a free country with hope, opportunity, and the ability to make my own story.

Professionally, I am thankful for:

A bunch of fun loving co-workers who make me wonder if the camera is rolling sometimes!
A career field that covers the cost of the education to get into it

Amanda Hitpas, enrollment services

Personally, I'm thankful for:

My family who's supporting me through college.
My roommates, who have become my college family.
My pets, who are always happy to see me when I get home!

Professionally, I am thankful for:

My co-workers, this is such a positive and supportive environment.
Our customers, I like answering their questions and helping put them on the right track to earning a degree.
A work place that is professional and works very hard, but likes to have some fun.

Thanks

Nicole Olsen, director of administration

Personally, I'm thankful for:

My family and friends who love and support me.
My health that allows me to engage in life to the fullest.
My children who bring me joy and gratitude every day

Professionally, I am thankful for:

My colleagues.
The institution I work for and the privileges they offer me.
The encouragement to continue my education.

Jenny Hannifin, student engagement coordinator

Personally, I'm thankful for:

My health
My family and friends
The time and means to travel

Professionally, I am thankful for:

A job that allows me to help students reach their academic goals
A work environment that is organized, active, and supportive of my efforts
Colleagues that are fun, funny, and kind

Marianne Bauer, media specialist/learning technologies

Personally, I'm thankful for:

All that God has and will provide
My wonderful, supportive family
Great friendships

Professionally, I am thankful for:

This awesome job!
Great colleagues to work with
Opportunity for furthering my knowledge through experiences and conferences

Jeffrey Mayeda, media specialist

Personally, I'm thankful for:

Family
Friends
Health

Professionally, I am thankful for:

Internet
Smart Phones
Cloud Storage

Thanks

Teddy Parker-Renga, marketing assistant

Personally, I'm thankful for:

My wife and family
My health
Trout fishing

Professionally, I am thankful for:

Never settling
Seeking new challenges
Being creative

Mike Macklin, student engagement coordinator

Personally, I'm thankful for:

Friends and family
Living in the beautiful state of Colorado
Being a CSU RAM!

Professionally, I am thankful for:

Employment and a sense of belonging to the CSU community
Networks, friendship and supporting the mission of CSU
Being a CSU RAM!

Amy Plummer, enrollment services representative

Personally, I'm thankful for:

• My values and the confidence to apply them to my daily life
My friends
My job

Professionally, I am thankful for:

Support from my supervisor
Advancement opportunities
The confidence my coworkers have in me

Linda Selkirk, program director

Personally, I'm thankful for:

Family – without them nothing is worth it!
Having friends and being a friend; friends are in my life to help me learn what I need to know, and sometimes what they teach me is that I need to keep learning
Good health – it is difficult to enjoy blessings without good health

Professionally, I am thankful for:

My job – in these difficult times, having any job is a blessing, but regardless of the economy, I am thankful to work in a place where I respect the mission, and in a job where I can make a difference.
Living in a time in history where learning is a constant requirement
The people I work with – what an amazing amount of brain power there is at the University – the professors and students of course, but also the administrators and staff are in the top percentile of thinkers

Hunt Lambert, associate provost

I am personally and professionally thankful that I can spend my days making higher education more accessible to adult learners around the world.

Kim Kita, director of finance

Personally, I am thankful for my family and dogs, for living in Fort Collins, and for the opportunity to learn something new every day.

Professionally, I'm thankful for the community of CSU and CSU OnlinePlus, for amazing coworkers who care so much about the value of education and continuous learning, and for all of the students who are working so hard to further their professional and educational goals.

Tamara Burns, online communications coordinator

Personally, I'm thankful for:

An amazing, loving and supportive family and boyfriend
Friends who keep me sane and make life fun
Two dogs who keep me on my toes and always make me smile

Professionally, I am thankful for:

Finding an amazing job in my field during such tough economic times
CSU providing me with nine free credits a year so I can complete my MBA – and for being done with my MBA in May!!!
Working in an environment where I enjoy both my job and my coworkers

One thing that all of us here at CSU OnlinePlus have in common when it comes to what we're thankful for is you – our students! We all enjoy our jobs because we enjoy being a part of your educational journey. We wish you the best of luck in the new year, and hope you'll take a moment to share with us what you’re thankful for this season!

~ Amy Jo Miller