It’s a rare person who possesses sterling qualities both personally and professionally, but Carroll
Feasel is one such person. Her colleagues in Bowling Green State University’s College of Health and
Human Services want the rest of the world to appreciate her as they do.
Their nomination earned Feasel the 2014 Michael R. Ferrari Award – the highest honor given to
administrative staff.
Feasel, executive assistant to the dean and college budget director, received $1,000, a reserved parking
space for a year and plaque in her honor that will hang in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union, presented
at the Administrative Staff Council annual reception Saturday.
Named for former interim president "Mick" Ferrari, the award recognizes those who represent the
values he exemplified: demonstrated excellence in one’s work while also promoting harmony, having strong
relationships with the university community and being committed to the growth and betterment of BGSU and
its students.
Dean Marie Huff said that Feasel’s qualities quickly became apparent to her when Huff arrived on campus
last January to serve as dean, and she has already developed a "deep respect and appreciation for
the work Carroll does in behalf of the college and the university."
Huff and other nominators noted the stability Feasel provided for the college during the transition
between the last dean, two interim deans and two interim associate deans.
Associate Dean Nancy Orel, who was appointed acting dean in August 2013, said her regard for Feasel grew
even more during that time. "Carroll Feasel is by far the most conscientious, dependable,
resourceful and competent person I have worked with in my 20 years of being an administrator and my 14
years in academe," Orel wrote.
Along with her many other responsibilities, Feasel has also without complaint assumed additional duties
since the departure of a secretary in January, Huff said, often arriving early and leaving late, even
responding to emails at night and on weekends.
"Amazingly, Carroll always has the correct answers to any questions as well as the appropriate
solution to any problem anyone would ever pose to her," Orel said.
She not only provides guidance to those with questions or who need help, said Dr. Steven Lab, chair of
the department of human services, but takes it upon herself to do for them whatever is necessary.
"Whether it be budget, curriculum or hiring, I know that Carroll will have an archive of information
and the mechanisms for locating it quickly anytime I need it," said Dr. Lynne Hewitt, chair of the
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
All her nominators mentioned that their own jobs would be infinitely harder without her help.
She takes great initiative in her work, which Huff said has been extremely supportive, and, as the
college budget director has saved the college thousands of dollars by her careful assessments. She is
responsible for managing the $3 million college budget, the $1.7 million operating budget, the $150,000
foundation budget and the grant budgets. During times of budget-cutting, Feasel has deftly worked out
new ways of doing business in the college, streamlining operations and rearranging responsibilities
across offices so as to keep things running smoothly, said Lab.
Feasel served on two committees to recruit and hire the new dean, noted Dr. Hans Schmalzried, chair of
the department of public and allied health, which required considerable time and effort.
She has also been instrumental in planning a variety of college initiatives that directly benefit
faculty, staff, students and the community at large, from homecoming to commencement and continuing
education to working with donors and the College Advocates Board.
"Carroll is able to maintain close working relationship with all these individuals because of her
genuine sensitivity and insightfulness," said Orel.
The list of her tasks and accomplishments is exhausting, but all her nominators referred to Feasel’s
happy, kind, positive, confidence-inspiring and humorous personality, which, Hewitt said,
"contribute to workplace efficiency and effectiveness" and make her, all in all, "a
superlative colleague."