FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2015

SCI Retreat Employee Receives Departmental Award

Hunlock Creek, PA – Marilyn T. Semanski, the superintendent’s secretary at the State Correctional Institution at Retreat, today, was presented with the Department of Corrections’ Outstanding Performance Award.

When Marilyn T. Semanski began working at SCI Retreat nearly 30 years ago, she had an electric typewriter and shared one computer with seven other secretaries in an office located in the institution’s garage.

In 1993, Semanski was promoted from clerk stenographer to the superintendent’s secretary – a position she has always held with pride.

She has served eight different superintendents and, according to her current boss Superintendent Theresa DelBalso, Semanski offers “seasoned observations and input…decades of job knowledge and best practices’’ as well as input on “the rich history that is SCI Retreat.’’

Throughout her career, Semanski has consistently come to work with a cheerful, energetic and positive attitude, capably managing the superintendent’s office complex, putting “it all together for those who take the bow,’’ DeBalso said.

She is described by the superintendent as hard-working and detail-oriented.

With her exceptional organizational skills, Semanski ensures that all reports and publications are completed early, accurately and completely.

She has the year-long reporting requirements “down to an art,’’ reminding staff of deadlines as well as keeping reports from years past.

A life-long resident of the area surrounding SCI Retreat, Semanski has a strong sense of community and church involvement.

She volunteers for the Susquehanna Warrior Trail Council, which helps to preserve the area’s natural resources, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, helping with the annual children’s Christmas party and veterans’ breakfast.

A graduate of Luzerne County Community College, Semanski worked as a doctor’s medical office assistant and as a wage payroll clerk at Nanticoke State General Hospital prior to joining the Department of Corrections as a clerk stenographer in 1987.

MEDIA CONTACT: Christine McMillan, PIO, 570-735-8754

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