Cally Berner

How important is service? Event and Conference Services Director Cally Berner, this year’s recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Unclassified Staff Service, believes that providing quality service is imperative to the success of any organization.

“Service excellence is achieved through teamwork when employees show up every day with a commitment to doing their very best in the interest of those they serve,” she said. “This translates to memorable experiences for our customers who then become loyal brand ambassadors.”

Berner’s first job in a service environment began at Southeastern’s Admissions Office as interim admissions counselor/recruiter in July 2000. After graduating from Nicholls State University in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing, she found herself working for a university she knew very little about. She admits that working in admissions was a “baptism by fire” because she began working at the start of the fall semester and received a crash course in the admissions process.

“I quickly came to understand that the department was Southeastern’s ‘front door,’ and my position was important to our mission. Often I was the first person new students would meet on campus, and I realized that it was my job to help connect them to campus resources,” Berner explained. “I spent half the year on the road talking to students throughout Louisiana about Southeastern’s campus resources and exemplary programs and the other half welcoming them to campus for visits.”

After completing her MBA at Southeastern in 2003, Berner changed departments and began working as the coordinator of marketing and promotions for Auxiliary Services with Connie Davis. Ultimately, she would report directly to Davis in 2014 as the director of Event and Conference Services.

“I have personally witnessed what a tremendous asset Cally is to our Southeastern community and the local community as well,” Davis said. “She consistently demonstrates high levels of commitment to service in a variety of areas. She serves on many university committees, where she contributes a great amount of creativity and hard work. She works with many community leaders, alumni, and supporters of Southeastern through Event and Conference Services and consistently receives positive feedback and accolades because of her genuine, helpful attitude.”

In addition to her university service, Berner also serves her community in a variety of ways. She has worked as a committee member and volunteer for the Sweet 16/Ladies Top 28, volunteered for the St. Joseph Catholic School Annual Fair, and volunteered at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School. She is a member of the National Association of College Auxiliary Services, Tangipahoa Professional Women’s Organization, Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and a North Oaks Health System Foundation Board of Directors founding member.

“Although I graduated first from Nicholls State University, Southeastern has been the place I call home since moving to Ponchatoula in 2000,” Berner said. “Each day I stand ready to ‘Lion Up’ and better serve Southeastern through teamwork and a commitment to excellence.”