Four members of NIU’s Operating Staff have been chosen to receive the Outstanding Service Award for 2004.

Each year, four of the 1,800 employees that make up the civil service staff are selected by a committee of their peers to receive an award plaque and $1,500. They will be honored at a banquet at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom.

Recipients of the award are Lilli Bishop of the communicative disorders department; Joyce Chaney from Student Housing and Dining Services; Amy Polzin of the geology department; and Lynn Slater from the School of Music.

Any co-worker, superior or student may nominate an employee for the award. The award is based on the nominees’ demonstration of effectiveness in dealing with the university community, the contributions they made to the public image of the university and the contributions they made to the university that exceeded expectations.

After the nominations are counted, the operating staff council, which is comprised of previous winners and other staff, select the winners.