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February Awardee
Larissa Schmersal | Senior Psychology
Employed by the Psychological Consultation Center (PCC)

Our Ovation awardee for February is Larissa Schmersal, a senior Psychology major working in the Department of Psychology. As only a small portion of her TEN nominations say, "At the Psychological Consultation Center (PCC), the Clinical Psychology Training Program's clinic, we have grown to depend on Larissa Schmersal for her always cheerful response to requests for assistance. In her nearly three years of work as a receptionist and clerical assistant at the PCC, Larissa has taken on innumerable tasks that many of us avoid. She tidies therapy rooms without a grumble, even though she might expect therapists to take care of that chore themselves... However, the most important reason Larissa deserves an OVATION is her consistently respectful approach with PCC clients...

"She is the first student to offer a helping hand whenever it is needed. She is always on time, in fact most of the time she is early. Larissa is usually the last student to leave at the end of the day and she always makes sure that nothing is left undone. You never have to tell her to do a task or ask for her assistance because she is always one step ahead...

"Larissa has trained all of us new student office workers and was very patient and kind while doing it. She comes in to work even during her times off to make sure nobody needs help... She is a unique person and is just the type that you want to work with because she always knows how to help...

"From the moment I met her, her bright smile and friendly attitude assured me I would be welcomed not only in the office, but also in the department. Her leadership and training skills are excellent. She genuinely cares for her co-workers and the people who come into the office. Larissa is helpful and courteous. Seeing her in the office brightens my day!...

"I remember one day when I somehow managed to break the copier...again. Larissa and I spent an hour trying to figure out what I had done, and she kept smiling the whole time. This experience basically sums up Larissa's service to the psychology department. She never minds doing work, no matter how long it takes, and she is almost always smiling...

"Always with a smile she asks "what can I do for you." ... But what sets her apart is her ability to anticipate tasks before being asked to do them...

"Larissa does all of these things working with us as well as maintaining a very high GPA. She aspires to continuing her psychology interests by going to graduate school. As for her future, I have no doubt that one of these days this college will be holding her up as a successful UNL graduate for other students to model..."