Six academic professionals received the 2007 Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence award at an April 3 ceremony and reception. Now in its 19th year, the award program aims to honor contributions made by academic professionals on campus. Recipients are chosen for excellence in their work, personal and professional contributions to their fields and the positive impact they have on colleagues, students and the public. Each award winner received $2,000, a $1,000 increase in base salary and a $1,000 one-time budget increase for their department.
Van Allen Anderson, associate director of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, is an invaluable asset to the UI campus, according to his nominators. “Anderson has acquired a tremendous amount of detailed knowledge of the inner workings of the Beckman Institute since beginning his current position two years ago and is extraordinarily committed to his job,” said Pierre Wiltzius, director of the Beckman Institute. “Van does not ‘work a job,’ he lives his work at the institute,” Wiltzius said. “On a regular basis Van puts in an extraordinary number of hours to get a certain assignment done on time. His work is always accurate and reflects the institute in the best light.” Charles C. Colbert, retired vice chancellor for administration and human resources, said Anderson planned for the receipt and distribution of pharmaceuticals and other critical supplies in the event of a terrorist attack after Sept. 11. Anderson also was instrumental in planning for the response to bioterrorism with campus, community and regional units. “He is most knowledgeable in environmental health and safety, and he is highly respected both inside and outside the university community,” Colbert said. Anderson has worked at the UI for 24 years. His work has ranged from conducting safety and security reviews after Sept. 11 to assisting the campus in emergency preparedness for a bioterrorism attack. Wiltzius said Anderson has taken on extraordinarily diverse tasks and assignments over the years and noted he regularly volunteers to work on committees. “Anderson is arguably one of the best citizens on campus, helping wherever he can,” Wiltzius said.
Jennifer L. Bloom, associate dean for Student Affairs and academic adviser in the Medical Scholars Program, has helped make the Office of Student Affairs second to none in effectiveness, according to Brad Schwartz, regional dean of the College of Medicine. Bloom, who has worked at the UI for 17 years, “maintains an active academic advising role for undergraduates who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine and medical research” and has “identified the undergraduate minority population as being in particular need of comprehensive academic advising,” Schwartz said. According to her nominators, Bloom’s advising techniques go beyond scheduling classes. She also is a mentor for each of her students. “A recurring theme among Jenny’s students is that they had little confidence in their ability to excel,” Schwartz said. “Jenny’s advising involves multiple reinforcing sessions wherein they focus on career goals and how the student wants to live his or her life. Her unbending message is that the student must always aim for the highest level of excellence and that every day they make choices that will affect their level of accomplishment.” James M. Slauch, associate professor of microbiology and director of the Medical Scholars Program, said: “It is hard to imagine that Jenny Bloom could be more effective in her job. She continuously has a huge impact on her students ranging from freshmen to Ph.D. candidates.” Bloom also has written a book, “Guide to the Match,” to help medical students get a good residency. “I am truly blessed to be able to work with Jenny … the UI and the College of Medicine are better places because she serves them,” said Amanda Cuevas, assistant dean of the Medical Scholars Program.
Jon Gunderson has dual roles at the UI as coordinator of assistive communication and information technology accessibility for the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services and director of information technology accessibility for Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services. His nominators say he is an international expert with few peers. “While serving as the coordinator of assistive communication and information technology since 1996, Gunderson transformed the model whereby students with disabilities were afforded access to campus computing resources from an inefficient single-site laboratory approach to a highly decentralized network of accessible information and assistive technologies,” said Brad Hedrick, director of DRES. Gunderson, who has worked at the UI for 14 years, also aids students not yet in college by creating residential summer technology camps for high school students with severe physical and visual disabilities. “Jon approaches problems of access on all levels … from the conceptual to the technical,” said Sue Lewis, former director of Strategic Projects and Initiatives at CITES. “He is tireless and will work at every level and with any person who shows an interest. He has an endless array of teaching methods.” Tanya Gallagher, professor and dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences, said: “As society’s dependence on computerized information technologies grows, the digital divide for persons with disabilities continues to widen. Gunderson has implemented a multi-pronged approach to addressing this problem.” Gunderson has served on the Accessibility Guidelines Committee of the World Wide Web Consortium. He led the group in the development of accessibility guidelines for browser technologies such as Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. “No professional has been more instrumental in promoting accessibility than Jon Gunderson,” said Elyne Cole, associate provost for human resources.
Umesh Thakkar, senior research scientist at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, has contributed exceptional research in educational technology, according to his nominator, Donna Cox, director of the Advanced Scientific Visualization Laboratory at NCSA. Thakkar, who has worked at the UI for 11 years, goes beyond the call of duty, works long hours and provides important leadership for NCSA and the campus, Cox said. “Thakkar has made contributions to educational technology at K-12, undergraduate and graduate levels,” Cox said. Julie Johnson, Distinguished Chair of Museum Leadership at the Science Museum of Minnesota, said she worked with Thakkar as members of the National Science Foundation, where he was a program director in the Division of Elementary, Secondary and Informal Science. “Through our work I learned of his dedication and passion for education, especially the learning of science,” Johnson said. “Since leaving the foundation, Umesh has continued to do outreach and promote the foundation.” Bertram C. “Chip” Bruce, professor of library and information science, of curriculum and instruction and of bioengineering, said, “Umesh’s research expertise includes evaluation of information technologies, instructional design, science education, professional development programs and qualitative research methodology.” Bruce said he is impressed with the numerous grants Thakkar has secured and the research he has conducted. “He is an integral member of the UI information technology research community,” Bruce said. “He brings people together and helps bring out the best in them. He is thoughtful, sincere, good-natured and works without thought of personal gain.” Judith C. Giordan, program director at the NSF, said Thakkar works tirelessly for the K-12 program. “He is a caring and concerned individual who works for the benefit of all,” Giordan said.
Jesse C. Thompson, assistant dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and coordinator of Diversity Programs, has been instrumental in recruiting minority students to the UI in his 14 years of service, according to his nominators. “The diversity of the student body in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences can be attributed to the tireless efforts of Jesse Thompson,” said R. Kirby Barrick, interim associate dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida. “Thompson has built strong relationships with the high school students and community colleges of Illinois that typically enroll students from under-represented populations.” Thompson has developed a “diverse array of strategies and initiatives to make agriculture, science and engineering the career choice of minority students,” said William Berry, associate chancellor and interim head of the advertising department. The Research Apprentice Programs, developed by Thompson, provide minority high school students with opportunities to visit the UI campus during the summer while learning about agricultural science careers, conducting real research and shadowing a mentor. “Thompson is responsible for advertising the programs and contacting guidance counselors and science teachers,” said Wayne Banwart, interim associate dean of academic programs. “He has made many trips to Chicago, southern Illinois and other states over the years to meet with potential students and their parents.” Nominators said Thompson takes a personal interest in each student, even after they are accepted into the college. “In addition to successfully balancing the many administrative, management and technical aspects of his position, Dr. T. (as he is known to many of his students) is never too busy, never too tired, never too distracted to give generously of his attention, his time, and even his resources to a student in need,” Banwart said. “It is difficult to describe his passion and tireless efforts to sustain this program over the years”
Alvin D. Zwilling, specialist in project development and sustainability for UI Extension in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, has made contributions beyond his regular job assignment for the past 25 years, according to his nominators. “He has been singularly successful in expanding youth work to populations that traditionally have not been involved in 4-H and other Extension activities,” said John C. van Es, professor emeritus. “Through building community coalitions and working closely with others in the community he has been able to provide ongoing programming to benefit all segments of youth population.” Sharon Wright, national program leader of Children, Youth and Families at Risk, said Zwilling is a soft-spoken and humble person who has made great accomplishments. “Al’s work at the community, county and university levels is an example of bringing the best of the land grant university resources to citizens in all types of environments and wherever they live,” Wright said. “He keeps a focus particularly for those children, youth and families living in difficult and challenging environments who benefit greatly from his work and his example.” Dennis Campion, associate dean of Extension and Outreach commented on Zwilling’s work in a particular Illinois County. “Based on population, Rock Island County is one of Illinois’ larger, more urban counties and is a growth county,” Campion said. “When Al became Acting Unit Leader in 1994, a referendum was desperately needed to authorize the county board to levy a tax to support Extension if we were to survive. He immediately developed a strategic plan … to build support for Extension.” Van Es said the UI Extension has benefited because of Zwilling’s creativity and dedication. “He is a wonderful example of the power of bringing the university’s resources to the people of Illinois,” Van Es said.
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