CWU's Breckon Named 'Extra Mile' Winner

April 30, 2004

Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: loweryr@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- Ron Breckon, Central Washington University computer operator, was honored yesterday (APRIL 29) as a state "Extra Mile Award" winner. Rep. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, who made the presentation to Breckon, commended him for his altruism, empathy and vision.

"He has the ability to put himself in another person's shoes and truly know their needs and wants," Holmquist said. "He has a selfless concern for others, understands the feelings of the other person and can pull together people from within our community from different backgrounds. He has the heart of a servant and emulates what a public servant should be in good government, which is working with and for the people. He's easy to brag about."

The Extra Mile Award is given to an individual or group that surpasses expectations for exemplary public service by demonstrating attributes including innovative solution, efficiency and visionary thinking. This year, 11 individuals and three teams from across the state were chosen for recognition.

Those nominating Breckon referred to his operation of the local recycling center, building and racing his own electric vehicles, which he uses at local schools to demonstrate the value of environmentally safe, renewable energy sources; initiation of a local support group for victims of Celiac disease, an inflammatory condition of the small intestine triggered by the ingestion of wheat; and, coordinating an in-line hockey program for children, teen and adults.

Each year, state recipients are selected by the Productivity Board, a division within the Office of the Secretary of State, for the Extra Mile Award, which are then presented during Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), a national, weeklong celebration honoring state and federal employees.

"There was no 'extra mile - it was just my path,'" Breckon said upon receiving the award. "All things are better with company and I'm happy that I've had some good company along that path."

Breckon was quick to share the credit for the award with family and friends. He was hired by CWU in 1983 and becomes the fifth university employee to be named as an Extra Mile Award recipient since the program was inaugurated in Washington in 1985.

CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre said, "This is another indication of the quality of the staff - and the kind of people - we have here. It's a reflection of not just their work on the job, but also their service to our community."

This was the third straight year that a CWU employee has received an Extra Mile award. Ken Baxter, director of conference and retail services, received the award last year. Ed Snyder, from facilities management, was the 2002 award winner.

"That's remarkable," McIntyre added. "It's also interesting that they are from different areas of the university and their community service has also been very different, which is also a wonderful statement for the university."

Kendra Sterkel, aerospace studies, and Steve Johnson, housing operations manager, were co-recipients in 1996, the first year CWU employees received Extra Mile awards.