Steve Clayton, the IT technician for the College of Engineering, has been named the April Classified Employee of the Month, the University of Nevada, Reno, Staff Employees Council announced.

Clayton began working for the University in January 2001. Twenty-two years later, he’s still the college’s go-to guy for all things IT-related.

“Steve is there to diagnose and correct whatever we’ve messed up,” Administrative Assistant Sam DiMuzio wrote in the nomination form. “He does it with the patience of a saint, because, let’s face it, a good chunk of the time, WE are the reason our technology isn’t working the way it’s supposed to, yet he doesn’t criticize.”

DiMuzio, who has worked with Clayton for 16 years, cited his determination, patience and positive demeanor as qualifications for the award, adding that he helps with problems of any scale and that he’s never one to judge.

“He often gets to see us at our most frustrated, which — sadly — he’ll sometimes bear the brunt of,” DiMuzio wrote, “but he does his job with a smile and a determination to figure out what’s wrong so we can get back to work as soon as possible because he understands the importance of everyone’s position.”

Despite retaining such a valiant skill set, Clayton is modest: he said he was surprised to get the award.

But his colleagues are not.

“He is truly one of campus’ unsung heroes,” DiMuzio wrote.

The Classified Employees Recognition Committee reviews nominations for outstanding classified employees monthly to recognize staff that exemplify the University’s standards for excellence and innovation. Recipients of the award show exceptional individual achievement, contribution and performance in their jobs and other related duties beyond their own offices.