By Laura Fenton

When Margaret Anne Jarred steps out of her car each workday, she can’t help but be excited. She’s had a “love affair” with the U of M since 1966, when her husband proposed to her at a Memphis vs. Ole Miss football game.

“I have the best staff on campus, a great boss and fabulous co-workers,” she said.

As director of records management in Human Resources, Jarred and her staff create computer records in the U of M Banner system that “make sure you have a computer record so you can be paid,” plus they secure and maintain all employee records.

Her exemplary efforts to help employees with payroll issues is one of the reasons why Jarred is one of the 2012 Distinguished Employee of the Year recipients.

Distinguished Employee of the Year Margaret Anne Jarred (left), President Shirley Raines and Business and Finance Vice President David Zettergren at the awards ceremony. (Photo by Rhonda Cosentino)

“Although we don’t necessarily admit it, most working professionals understand that our abilities to solve problems depend to some degree on the people we personally know within the organization,” said a nominator. “I have always counted myself lucky that Margaret is part of my personal network at the U of M.”

At the end of August, the nominator realized she had not received her summer pay, and two days later, she and the departmental account manager could not solve the issue.

“Everyone agreed — we should call Margaret Anne,” the professor said.

After only a few hours, Jarred fixed the payroll glitch.

 Despite receiving the Outstanding Employee Award this past year, she knew it was an option that she could win the University-wide honor, but really never thought about it “since there are a lot of people who do more important work on this campus then me,” Jarred said.

She can do her job efficiently because of the teamwork of the employees of the University.                        

“The U of M is fortunate to have great support staff and faculty members who really care about this University and it’s students,” she said.

Jarred’s husband, brother, sisters, sons, aunt, nieces and friends all attended the award ceremony at the end of October.

“She totally deserves this award,” the nominator said.