COLLEGE EMPLOYEE OF YEAR WORKER HONORED FOR EXTRA EFFORT.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Kirk Hansen, a maintenance worker at College of the Canyons, found himself at the center of activity during last summer's Foothill Fire, as thousands of firefighters swarmed the command post set up on campus.

Hansen made himself available and volunteered for whatever needed to be done. His unselfish acts, cited as ``always going above and beyond in everything he does,'' earned him honors as college Employee of the Year.

Hansen and a handful of other employees recently were treated to a garden luncheon served by college governing board members, administrators and managers. Those honored hold support positions, called classified jobs, and are responsible for day-to-day nonteaching functions that make the college run smoothly.

Cynthia Fernando was given the Humanitarian Award. An accounting technician at the college, she spearheaded a fundraising effort on campus and in the community to help survivors of last December's tsunami disaster.

The New Visions Award was given to Cara Odell, a human-resources technician credited with a ``can-do'' attitude and willingness to take on new challenges and assignments.

Beryl Lawrence, employed in the Community Extension Office, was given the Professional Achievement Award for diligence, perseverance, a positive attitude and excellent work performing a full-time job while also pursuing an academic degree.

The California School Employees Association presented its Member of the Year award to Janine Martinez, an administrative assistant in admissions and records. She recently served four years as president of the local CSEA chapter.

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Kirk Hansen, a maintenance worker who helped firefighters set up a command post on campus last year, has been named Employee of the Year at College of the Canyons.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer