Eight staff employees will be honored with the Chancellor’s Distinguished Staff Award at a banquet May 1. The award recognizes exceptional performance; each recipient receives $2,000 and a plaque. Recipients’ names also are inscribed on a plaque displayed in the Staff Human Resources Office. Past winners are listed on the Web at www.pso.uiuc.edu/cdsa/cdsahall.html. This year, 64 employees were nominated. Permanent staff employees with at least two years of service or retired employees in status appointments during the calendar year can be nominated for the award by faculty or staff members or students. A committee appointed by the chancellor recommends finalists. The chancellor approves final winners.
Teresa L. Bertram, administrative secretary in the Center for Writing Studies and the department of English, is always reliable and will do everything she can to help faculty members, undergraduates, graduate students and other staff members meet the extensive demands of two busy academic units, according to her nominator, Gail E. Hawisher, professor of English and director of the center.
“Teresa manages the incredibly difficult challenge of balancing this split appointment with amazing good cheer, astonishing efficiency and unflappable professionalism,” said Martin Camargo, head of the English department. “Despite the competition for her time and attention, she always manages to convey the impression that any problem that comes her way has her full attention and is her top priority. I have never known her to turn away anyone in need of assistance no matter how many tasks she has under way.”
Bertram’s work in the Center for Writing Studies has been especially integral, Hawisher said.
“This year we crafted a cross-college proposal for a National Writing Project site, an endeavor that challenged faculty members repeatedly and required multiple drafts and budgets from different units across campus.” Hawisher said. “Teresa pulled it all together, even going so far as to deliver the completed packet of material to the grants and contracts office. Her competence as an administrative assistant extraordinaire contributed in no small way to the federal grant we received.”
Bertram does not see herself as someone who does a narrow set of jobs for one segment of the department, Hawisher said.
“As goodwill ambassador for the center, Teresa takes the initiative and is constantly in touch with the faculty from all parts of campus who participate in the center’s programs,” Hawisher said. “The Center for Writing Studies would be lost without Teresa’s generous service and hard work. There is no doubt in my mind that we would need to hire at least two people to replace our one extraordinary staff secretary.”
Paula Hays, administrative assistant II in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is the kind of person who makes other want to come to work, writes Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, dean of the college. Hays has an exceptional devotion to work, often arriving early and leaving late.
She monitors and responds to hundreds of e-mails directed to the college and to the dean, manages the LAS office and staff members, and regularly interacts with more than 50 departmental executive officers.
“Her job requires tracking a great many issues and people, and she does this with efficiency, a great level of expertise and a friendly, supportive demeanor,” said Barbara J. Wilson, the Paul C. Friedland Professional Scholar and head of the communication department (formerly speech communication). “She embodies what we all look for in staff members.”
Hays also is creative and flexible in her work. “Oftentimes someone who knows the policies as well as Paula does can become trapped by them,” Wilson said. “Paula respects the rules and procedures but also is willing to think outside the box in search of alternative solutions. She considers each issue or problem, knows what the precedent is, but is also willing to brainstorm options that might be necessary to follow in special cases. At the same time, she never loses sight of issues of fairness and academic excellence. She is an instrumental guidepost for me as a department head.”
Hays is a superior multi-tasker and also has made numerous improvements to her department, said David C. Shoemaker, retired director of budget and resource planning. Hays took it upon herself to reorganize databases, making it easy to find answers to obscure questions, Shoemaker said.
“Through it all, Paula keeps things straight, keeps her cool and manages to provide answers or solutions that make sense to all concerned,” he said. “Paula is a very special person – she’s not only hard-working, positive and enthusiastic – she’s consistently thinking carefully about issues in the college and searching for possible improvements or ways to avoid potential pitfalls.”
Theresa A. Miller, staff secretary in the Housing Division, is the backbone of Unit One Living/Learning Program, an academic program that gives students a small, liberal arts college setting at the UI.
The program consists of almost 1,000 residents and non-residents and offers about 50 credit courses, 250 music lessons and a guest-in-residence program each semester, according to her nominators. Miller, the sole clerical staff member, manages all office aspects of Unit One and is the primary contact with students, parents, faculty members, other departments and support services.
“Through her many years in the Unit One office, Theresa has become an expert at solving problems, and, consequently, has been a great helper to students, faculty, staff, and particularly parents,” said Howard K. Schein, Unit One program director and adjunct professor. “She does not make a big fuss about things. She analyzes situations, plans courses of action, and goes to work solving problems and getting the job done. Meeting students’ needs is always her first priority, and this priority shows in all aspects of her job performance.”
Miller touches students’ lives on a daily basis, said L. Marc Goldman, senior assistant director of University Housing. “She has engaged in supporting the academic mission of the university in countless ways that are often unseen by those she is working to support. She is able to interact with staff across the university successfully to make sure that unique programs are able to occur. Her ability to navigate resources, relationships and administrative structures make Theresa an integral part of Unit One’s success,” Goldman said.
Miller is the ultimate resource for parents, students and staff members, said Laura Haber, program coordinator of Unit One. “Her helpfulness and concern combined with her encyclopedic knowledge of the functioning of the university make her the person to ask for information and assistance,” Haber said. “Many people who come to her office or call her are anxious, frustrated or confused. Regardless of the situation, Theresa always has a pleasant, kind and compassionate demeanor.”
Unit One often operates outside of regular business hours for training, student orientations and crises. Miller is always willing to stay late or work weekends or holidays, Haber said. “Her commitment, hard work, compassion and resourcefulness have been indispensable to our program and to the students served by our program.”
Dexter L. Reifsteck, building service worker in the Institute of Aviation, performs invaluable work to the institute with a positive attitude, according to his nominators.
Reifsteck is responsible for cleaning the institute’s facility and maintaining a large meeting room used by many groups.
“He cheerfully performs the less glamorous tasks of the institute,” said Sybil I. Phillips, the head of the Professional Pilot Division. “He always has a smile on his face and exhibits a pleasant and easy-going demeanor. He works the day shift and is conscientious to ensure that his duties do not interfere with the duties of others who work in the building. He has organized his workflow in such a way that every task is completed with excellence.”
Reifsteck is the first employee to arrive at the institute each morning, said Kathy Reeves, administrative secretary. “He scoops snow and puts down ice melt to make sure everyone arrives safely in the building. He can get stains or marks out of anything we show him. Our staff and students are amazed at the amount of work Dexter puts in each day.”
In addition to Reifsteck’s extremely strong work ethic, he also is one of the most personable people at the entire airport, according to Tom W. Emanuel, interim director at the institute. “He is undoubtedly the most motivated employee that I have known at this university over the past 39 years,” Emanuel said. “I wish we had many more just like him.”
Reifsteck enthusiastically undertakes new projects and has become irreplaceable to the unit, said Virginia Davis, assistant director of human resources and communications. “He is always helpful and is one of those rare people that offer creative solutions to problems rather than complaining or being negative,” Davis said. “His dedication to his work at the Institute of Aviation has resulted in our facility looking the best it has in 10 years, thereby enhancing the beauty of the university’s campus and leaving a lasting impression with everyone from potential student to alumni visitors.”
Reifsteck is a team player and always willing to offer a helping hand, Phillips said. “He goes beyond what is expected. It is clear that Dexter has remarkable personal standards as demonstrated by his attention to detail.”
Todd E. Short, police officer in the Division of Public Safety, has served the university since 2001, demonstrating excellence and improvement in his work and a zealous dedication to the advancement of emergency preparedness on campus, according to Kip Mecum, director of emergency planning. “Officer Short brings to the street a bright, positive outlook, commitment and dedication to good community policing skills, and an analytical mind that is valuable in the field of investigations,” Mecum said.
Short has conducted 36 basic courses for the National Incident Management System and was instrumental in the certification of 1,010 persons in the system’s procedures since his work in the Office of Campus Emergency Planning began in 2006.
“Short has a unique way of delivering the emergency preparedness message, customizing it in such a way with pertinent examples of past crises or incidents that attendees find it to be of significant interest and relevance to their positions within the university,” Mecum said. “His efforts have encouraged numerous individuals and departments to engage in appropriate levels of preparedness on campus, thereby making our campus community safer for everyone.”
Short readily volunteers for extra patrol shifts although his role in the Office of Emergency Planning is a full-time job, said V.G. “Skip” Frost, acting assistant chief of police. “He routinely volunteers for projects with impossible deadlines and does so many more things that positively affect not only the Division of Public Safety, but the university as a whole. He is the first to ask if he is needed to put on his uniform and be of assistance, realizing that his responsibilities to his current assignment are no more or less important than the day-to-day operations of the university police department.”
Short is genuinely interested in his duty to protect and serve the public and it is routinely reflected in his uniformed duties as a police officer, Mecum said. “He is a credit to the uniform and his activities reflect very positively upon every member of the Division of Public Safety.”
Susana Vazquez Weigel, secretary III in the department of communication (formerly speech communication), has consistently been a hard-working, loyal and professional employee in her 18 years of employment at the UI, said Barbara J. Wilson, professor and head of the department.
Weigel’s main role in the department is to serve as the audiovisual lab supervisor and is in charge of every piece of equipment purchased, loaned out for research and instruction and in service for repair, Wilson said. “This is a huge operation. For example, speech communication 101 is a 50-section course taught by 29 teaching assistants who regularly use audiovisual equipment in their classes. Susana ensures that all of the equipment is working, that the teaching assistants are properly trained and that she is available to troubleshoot when problems arise.” Weigel also guarantees faculty members have the equipment they need for instruction and for research needs, and manages equipment for guest speakers.
“Susana took it upon herself to carry a pager to make sure that department staff and graduate students can reach her at any time as she moves back and forth between the Armory and her office in Lincoln Hall,” Wilson said. “These additional added-extras are what typify her work ethic.”
Weigel is a consummate representative of the department, greeting everyone with a smile and asking how she can help, Wilson said. “I consider the front desk area of our department as a vital gateway to our department, our undergraduate major and our graduate program. “Susana is just the type of staff member I want in that position. In my five years as department head, I have never witnessed a negative comment from her as she navigates the challenges of helping visitors. She is warm and open in her greeting and responsive and upbeat in her approach to problems.”
Weigel is unfailingly competent and completely reliable, said Peggy Miller, professor of communication. “Her contribution to the department has been immense because she does her job so well and because she defines and carries it out with so much generosity.”
Gary A. Watson, lead operating engineer at Abbott Power Plant, has ensured lights stay on and buildings stay warm at the university since 1986. Watson serves as the on-shift supervisor for the plant and is responsible for the oversight and supervision of all the equipment and operations staff in the plant. He also is responsible for re-training staff members and for the initial training of all new staff.
Watson’s leadership attributes allow him to excel when something out of the ordinary occurs at the plant, according to Michael Larson, director of utilities in the University Office for Facilities Planning and Programs. “His experience and knowledge allow him to quickly assess the overall situation, develop a plan of action and execute a plan by providing clear and concise direction to the staff onsite,” Larson said. “In these instances, Gary understands the importance of remaining calm, cool and collected. This is important so that the staff understands the situation is under control and to ensure that good solid judgments are made on facts rather than emotion. On more than one occasion, seeing Gary’s calm demeanor in the midst of a crisis has helped ease my worry and assure me and others that the situation is in good hands.”
Watson also takes his role as a trainer seriously.
“In the span of just under two years, Gary has organized a training room at the plant, stocked it with updated and relevant training materials, developed a formal introductory training course that all new staff members participate in and started the process of developing and retraining the existing staff,” Larson said. “He is passionate about sharing what he knows with others.”
Watson is a doer and a problem solver, said Rob Roman, chief operating engineer at Abbott Power Plant. “I have worked in the utility business for more than 20 years, and it is people like Gary that the industry relies on to make the equipment run 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Roman said. “Gary’s commitment to excellence, the betterment of other and the betterment of himself are commendable and deserve recognition.”
Phyllis B. Winters-Williams, building service worker in the School of Art and Design, cares passionately about what she does and always exceeds expectations, according to Alan T. Mette, professor and interim executive associate director of the school. Winters-Williams’ responsibilities include all cleaning and maintenance for Krannert Art Museum and the Art and Design building.
“Phyllis cares for the museum and school as if they were her own home,” Mette said. “Regardless of how extensive the past evening or day activities, the next day she ensures that the facilities are completely absent of any mess or chaos. Examples include cleaning the Link Gallery early in the morning following an exhibit opening, messy preparations for the museum’s 16 exhibits a year, preparing for receptions and more. Phyllis clearly understands the importance of these public events and the role they play in our outreach to the university community and the community at large.”
The most striking thing about her performance is the personal ownership in the areas she maintains, said Melissa G. Madsen, assistant to the director of the School of Art and Design. “She pays attention to the details, even those that she is not obligated to take care of,” Madsen said. “It’s refreshing to see that sense of responsibility and service when it’s all too easy to become jaded and cynical and to buy in to that stereotype, although sometimes deserved, of students being careless or destructive with facilities.”
Winters-Williams sees no boundaries in terms of helping students, faculty members or her fellow colleagues, said Nan Goggin, interim director. “I have never heard her complain when I’m sure she has every right to, considering how art and design students are capable of using and leaving spaces,” Goggin said.
Winters-Williams does the work of two people every day, said Kathleen Harleman, director of Krannert Art Museum. “She constantly surprises by the planning she does to ensure the major changes are made to the institutions for which she is responsible. She takes initiative without being asked.”