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Story by Kyra Thorstenson

Adeline Flaskey, financial program assistant for the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering, has been named South Dakota State University’s Civil Service Employee of the Month for October. 

She will be honored at a reception held from 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, in Crothers Engineering Hall 205. 

Flaskey has worked at SDSU since May 2018. She has shown exemplary performance, warm interpersonal skills and positive leadership, benefiting the campus in many ways, her nominators reported. They described her as a diligent worker with high attention to detail. 

“Shortly after joining our department, she optimized the budget report form and began sending budget updates after each semester and summer term,” said Yucheng Liu, department head and Flaskey’s supervisor. “This has been invaluable in maintaining the financial stability of the department and in managing decisions on resource allocation.” 

This sentiment, that Flaskey is a driving force behind the department’s organization and success, is shared widely among her colleagues. Her ability to manage complex responsibilities has earned her respect, especially as the department experiences enrollment growth and increased workloads. 

“Adeline’s knowledge as the departmental financial program assistant is unparalleled,” mechanical engineering professor Zhong Hu said. “She seems to be a walking encyclopedia of knowledge when anyone needs help.” 

In addition to her strong technical and organizational skills, Flaskey is known for her kindness and thoughtfulness. She frequently organizes events, celebrates milestones and supports colleagues with gestures that strengthen the department’s sense of community. 

“Whenever she learned of something significant happening to our faculty or students — whether it was good news or unfortunate — she would order flowers and a card, coordinating the entire department to sign and share a few words,” Liu added. 

Flaskey is admired for her warm character even in her day-to-day interactions. 

“Ms. Flaskey, known for her ever-present smile, has become a trusted figure among both colleagues and students,” said Saikat Basu, associate professor and graduate program coordinator. 

This welcoming spirit, along with her professionalism, makes here a role model within the department, her nominators said. Flaskey also leads by example, consistently setting a higher standard with everything she does. 

“Throughout these years of service, Adeline has consistently met established deadlines and milestones,” Hu said. “I don’t know of anyone else more qualified to lend expertise than Adeline.”  

Basu added, “Ms. Flaskey is also in charge of arranging the logistics for different departmental events, and over the past few years, I cannot recall a single occasion where her planning fell short of excellence. 

“As a department, we are incredibly fortunate to have her as a colleague,” Basu said. “Ms. Flaskey is a dedicated employee who deserves this recognition more than anyone else.” 

Originally from the Philippines, Flaskey moved to Brookings in 2017 after getting a degree in agribusiness from Visayas State University and working several years in industry. Before joining the Department of Mechanical Engineering, she spent four years with SDSU’s Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science. 

Flaskey and her husband, Dan, enjoy spending time outdoors with their two dogs, Chloe and Maggie, cooking together, camping, gardening, exploring new places across South Dakota and more. 

Flaskey said she was grateful especially to her “M.E. family,” the College of Engineering staff and Liu for their encouragement and for making her work environment so enjoyable. 

“I am very thankful for being selected for this award,” Flaskey said. “It’s been an honor to be a part of SDSU.” 

All SDSU Employee of the Month selections are determined through a nomination process by the Civil Service Advisory Council. Each civil service employee of the month receives an appreciation monetary gift from the F.O. Butler Foundation. The trustees of the foundation recognize the importance of civil service employees and take this opportunity to thank them for their exemplary service.