Employee of the Month
May 2013 Faculty of the Month
Kathleen (K.G.) Greenstein
Librarian
Library / Learning Resources Center
1999 was a great year. Yes, there was all that hoopla about Y2K and what would happen to all those computers. And yes, a bit of nostalgia and anxiety about entering a new millennium. But 1999 was a truly spectacular year for Ohlone College. Why? That is the year our May Faculty of the Month arrived to work here.
She came in quietly and that is a hallmark of how she works – quietly, diligently, steadfastly, effectively, collegially, and, as she prefers, out of the spotlight.
But one look at all the committees that she has been and currently is an integral part of and you will see why 1999 was Ohlone College's lucky year. CAPAC. TACO. SLOAC, GE. Wait - does she prefer committees that go by initials since she goes by initials? Hmmm…. Anyway, she volunteers to be on and sometimes chairs these committees-- some of the most time consuming, challenging committee assignments possible. Since being chair of the GE Committee was not enough the past three years, she thought she would work directly on two sections of Ohlone's accreditation self-study at the same time.
If you ask anyone that has had the opportunity to work with her, you get a big smile and comments like "Isn't she just incredible" and "always a strong advocate for the students." Words pop up such as caring, responsible, and go-getter.
Now you might think because of her job title that you would find her peering out from behind a stack of books, reciting the Dewey decimal system, slightly out of touch with the real world. Ha! Not her. For starters, she plays one fierce ukulele. Hey, a ukulele can be fierce, especially when she is playing it with her band "The Tin Pan Haoles."
And then there is that interesting habit of hers. She loves to break dishes, and maybe almost anything else ceramic. No, she does not have a destructive side run amok. She creates the most amazing mosaic artwork imaginable. You can see it displayed at the faculty-staff art show. (Or you can go to her website and be awed by her talent, and while she is too self-effacing to mention it, I'm not. Go to http://www.kgstudiosoakland.com/ and see her how talent, humor, and energy combine to make beauty.)
Remember those words "caring" and "responsible"? Those words explain why she carpools as much as possible. They explain why she has adopted and given a great home to four rescue dogs and wishes she could take in more. Animals are her friends and companions, not her dinner.
And books are her companions in a different way. The joy of reading is a big part of her life. So that she could share that joy with her colleagues, she started the book club here at Ohlone. She never waits "until there is time" to do something. She just does it.
Please join me in congratulating our May Faculty of the Month – Kathleen (K.G.) Greenstein, Librarian!
Faculty of the Month archives. Learn more about the Faculty of the Month program.
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