Posted September 25, 2001

IOWA CITY -- A leading eastern Iowa nonprofit organization that provides vocational services for the disabled has named The University of Iowa Foundation its Johnson County Business of the Year.

Rural Employment Alternatives Inc. (REA) of Conroy, Iowa, cited the UI Foundation for its efforts and participation with REA's Supported Employment Program. Supported Employment is a personnel service that matches qualified people with disabilities to the needs of businesses.

REA's Business of the Year award will be presented to the UI Foundation by Foundation employee Stephanie Goff at a banquet at the Hilton Hall in Conroy on Sept. 25. The UI Foundation hired Goff in October 1998 to work in its Development Research and Records Department. Goff alphabetizes gift sources documents and prepares them for filing, and she also makes copies for the department.

The UI Foundation was chosen for the honor from among 14 businesses in Johnson County that have worked with REA this year. The foundation was cited for its "great support and integration" by Jeannine Scandridge, REA's director of supported employment. Scandridge said, "Scott Johnson [the UI Foundation's assistant director of development records] is Stephanie Goff's supervisor, and he has been just terrific in making changes to help Stephanie be more productive, and to be a valued employee at the foundation. Stephanie is very enthusiastic about her job at the foundation and frequently tells us how much she enjoys it."

Johnson said, "Stephanie is such a joy to work with. As an employee, she's very attentive to detail and takes pride in her work. She fits right into this very detail-oriented organization. Having her work for us has been a really good experience, and not just for me and for Stephanie, but also for our entire staff."

He continued, "Stephanie came to us with skills that were just perfect for her position. It's all about finding the right fit-for employers and employees. This has been a win-win arrangement."

Because of the success the foundation has had with Stephanie, an additional supported employee has since been hired to work at the UI Foundation.

The UI Foundation is the preferred channel for private contributions to all areas of the university. Foundation staff work with alumni and friends to generate funds for scholarships, professorships, facilities improvements, equipment purchases, research and other UI initiatives.

Contact Information

Judy Stebral
Associate Director, Human Resources
(319) 335-3305 or (800) 648-6973

Additional information about The University of Iowa Foundation also is available on this site.