The Office of Human Resources and the University community recognized the winners, finalists and nominees in Syracuse University's eighth annual Exemplary Achievement Awards at a reception March 22 in the Schine Student Center's Goldstein Auditorium. Award winners were named in four categories: Service Excellence for a Group or Team; Quality or Process Improvement for a Group or Team; Service Excellence for an Individual; and "Soul of Syracuse."
New this year, in keeping with Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor's inaugural theme, the naming of a "Soul of Syracuse" Exemplary Achievement Award winner focuses on service within the greater Central New York community. As a whole, the Exemplary Achievement awards recognize staff and faculty for excellence in service, quality of work and efforts to improve the University.
Eleanor Ware, senior vice president for Human Services and Government Relations, introduced Cantor, who presented the awards. Cantor applauded the inspiration, help and interactivity of those present. Human Resources staff members Mark Coldren, director of organizational development and training; Eboni Britt, staff development specialist; Camille Donabella, career coach; and Lisa Brennan, organizational development specialist, facilitated activities of the ceremony.
Chosen from among 320 nominees and five finalists in each of the four categories, award recipients were selected on the basis of service excellence, a positive attitude, accountability and initiative. Each winner received a plaque in addition to a ceramic sculpture, created by SU art instructor Hyewon Lee to
capture the spirit of the award. Award winners were:
Office of Special Events
Service Excellence for a Group or Team
In the Office of Special Events, a team of four staff members produced an unprecedented installation ceremony for SU's 11th Chancellor.
The team includes Mary Jane Nathan,
executive director; Susan Germain, event coordinator; Josephine Torrillo,
administrative specialist; and Paula O'Donnell, administrative assistant.
"For the first time in the history of the awards, the members of the selection committee were unanimous in their choice of recipient for this award," says Cantor. "The entire effort was an exercise in collaboration. Throughout the short months of planning, your team and the committee you led worked hard to ensure an event that made our community proud."
Staff of Syracuse University Press
Quality or Process Improvement for a Group or Team
The staff of Syracuse University Press implemented a new business model and management structure that moved the organization from the brink of closing to reporting a projected 2005 profit of $200,000.
The team includes Amy Barone Phillips, editorial assistant; Karen Boland, accountant/assistant to comptroller; Marian Buda, copy editor; Anthony Carbone, warehouse assistant; Anne Carlson, director of development; Mary Selden Evans, executive editor; Shannon Fischer, accountant; John Fruehwirth, managing editor; Ellen S. Goodman, assistant to the director; Lynn Hoppel, design specialist; Victoria Lane, senior designer; Lori Lazipone, order supervisor; Theresa Litz, marketing manager; Jeff McManus, warehouse manager; Mary Peterson Moore, manager of design and production; Alice Randel Pfeiffer, comptroller; Michael W. Rankin, electronic manuscript manager; Kay Steinmetz, copy editor; Therese Walsh, assistant marketing manager; Fred Wellner, senior designer; D.J. Whyte, electronic manuscript manager; and Glenn Wright, acquisitions editor.
"In the midst of a major restructuring in 2001, the press team worked together to create a focused business plan that included advanced marketing strategies, collaborative fundraising plans and implementation of an electronic order processing system," says Cantor.
Ginny Yerdon
Service Excellence for an Individual
Ginny Yerdon's leadership and management of the "Build Your First Year Experience" program gives first-year students the opportunity to acclimate themselves to SU through volunteerism and community engagement. Yerdon is an administrative assistant at Hendricks Chapel.
Cantor said to Yerdon, "You named and volunteered to lead the new 'Build Your First Year Experience' program that engages first year students in volunteerism through Habitat for Humanity, introduces them to the surrounding neighborhoods and provides a bonding experience that helps reduce the anxiety of beginning college. As an introduction to college life, you expose the students to hard work and the concept of lifetime community service, while providing a supportive environment. These shared experiences will result in lasting friendships and productive college years."
Joan Hart Willard
"Soul of Syracuse"
Joan Hart Willard, assistant professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, engaged the Syracuse community in the production of "The Women of Lockerbie." Her inclusiveness generated support for the show and established dialogue about the Lockerbie tragedy as well as current terrorism issues.
"As director of the play, 'The Women of Lockerbie,' you engaged the community in this story of the aftermath of Pan Am Flight 103 and how the people of Lockerbie, Scotland turned an act of hatred into an act of love," Cantor says. "You worked with your cast and crew to create a deeply moving production that touched all those who experienced it."
Added Cantor, "Your efforts to engage the community in the story resulted in three solid weeks of performances to packed houses and a deeper understanding of how terrorism affects our lives."
Willard was nominated by Lisa Porter, assistant professor of drama.
Selection committee members included Britt; Coldren; Mary Jo Custer, director of student affairs; Denise Dowdall, executive assistant to the dean, School of Information Studies; Ed Galvin, director of archives and records management, E.S. Bird Library; Carol Heil, senior administrator of University College's organizational leadership program; David Hoalcraft, information technology manager; David Kirk, associate director for computing management; Linda Littlejohn, assistant dean, College of Human Services and Health Professions; Richard Pilgrim, associate professor and department chair, religion department, The College of Arts and Sciences; Kalpana Srinivas, senior administrator, office of the dean, The College of Arts and Sciences; Melanie Stopyra, director, business operations and technical support, Publications Office; J.D. Tessier, director of the housing and food service maintenance zone; Webber; and the Rev. Thomas Wolfe, dean of Hendricks Chapel.
