Eight staff employees honored with CDSA
By Sarah Scalia, News Bureau Student Intern 217-244-1072; slforres@illinois.edu
Eight staff employees were honored with the Chancellor’s Distinguished Staff Award at a banquet held at 5:30 p.m. April 12 at the Peabody Private Dining Hall. The award recognizes exceptional performance, and each recipient was awarded $2,000 and a plaque. Recipients’ names also are inscribed on a plaque displayed in the Personnel Services Office. Permanent staff employees with at least two years’ service or retired employees in status appointments during the calendar year can be nominated for the award by faculty, staff members or students. A committee appointed by the chancellor recommends finalists. The chancellor gives the final approval.
Diane Arnold works as a communications specialist III for Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services. In this position, Arnold is responsible for a variety of tasks, including administration of the telecommunication services on campus, adapting the Voicemail system, working with the university police and serving as a consultant for telecommunications services. Her tasks are essential in ensuring the continuing success of the campus communications system. In addition, her work extends beyond everyday phone services, and contributes to the public safety efforts for the campus community through her database of all campus emergency phones. Arnold also has become a valuable resource for telecommunications unit coordinators across campus because of her in-depth knowledge and understanding of the communication technologies. “One of the joys of working with Diane is that she is willing to share her knowledge, and she’s infinitely patient with others when (they) don’t pick up on that knowledge the first time,” said Jay Geistlinger, network administrator for the Research Park and Enterprise Works at CITES. Arnold’s technical proficiency also helped CITES during the transition to the new billing and operations management system. “Diane was the trailblazer in figuring out how to perform critical functions in the new system and the subsequent trainer of the rest of her group,” wrote Mona Heath, division director for customer support services at CITES. Mitel, the vendor for the campus Voicemail system, also invited Arnold to serve on a board of the national user’s group. In this position, she had a voice in determining the availability of facilities and features needed by the UI and other national customers, which reflected positively on the UI community.
Cynthia Dodds has worked at the UI since 1994 as the administrative coordinator for the Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology and coordinates a myriad of tasks to help maintain the program. She has played an important role in tasks from administering grants to nominating students to fellowships. Among other things, Dodds monitors the progress of graduate students from the time they apply for admission until they graduate, and she consolidates information during the admissions process. She also coordinates biophysics recruiting weekends and social events. “In a program where most of our students and faculty members are scattered across the campus, she is the glue that holds the program together,” wrote Martin Gruebele, professor and director of the Center for Biophysics. Dodds has become a valuable resource for graduate students and staff members who have traveled from across the country. Students seek out Dodds for both personal and academic advice because of her friendly demeanor and professionalism. Amir Mirarefi, biophysics graduate student and president of Illinois Biophysics Society, said: “Cindy has provided insight, been supportive of the students’ initiatives, helped students to address their concerns and has served as an integral liaison between the students and numerous faculty members.” In 1996, she created “Cindy’s Guide to Living Cheaply in Champaign-Urbana” at the request of biophysics students who wanted tips from a native. Since that time, several other departments have mimicked her guide and distributed it to incoming graduate students. It is so popular, that an online copy was made available through the biophysics Web site in 2000.
Lynne Ellis is the assistant manager for Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services. During her time at the UI she has been essential in coordinating communication services for new buildings and major events, in addition to providing consulting and training for CITES telecommunication services to campus customers. Mona Heath, division director for customer support services at CITES, summarized Ellis’ extraordinary performance in her nomination: “People look forward to opportunities to work with Lynne because of her responsiveness, wonderful attitude and the care with which she does her work.” In the last year, Ellis has been responsible for several major projects. She helped determine the needs, concerns and solutions for new facilities and technologies used in the Thomas M. Siebel Center, the new computer science research building. While arranging the voice communication services for the new building, she also managed to coordinate all the communication services needed for the December 2003 Christian conference that was held at the UI. In the last year, CITES also adopted a new billing and operations management system. Ellis worked extra hours and helped co-workers in order to meet deadlines and learn the new system. In addition, she provides excellent customer service with her friendly attitude and attentiveness. “Her helpful demeanor and willingness to go the extra mile has won her the highest praise from my staff,” wrote Beth Scheid, director of communication technologies at CITES. Even when problems arise or timetables change, Ellis is able to get the job done. Scheid went on to say that campus clients have described Ellis as “a saint,” “unflappable,” “steady as a rock” or their “sanity check” because she is “the calm at the center of the storm, competently coordinating with all the involved parties to ensure the telecommunications work can be done in the time frame allowed by the changed schedule.”
Arlan Hinrichs is a skilled electrician who has worked in Electrical Systems and Control at the UI for the last 24 years. His current assignment involves the installation and maintenance of variable frequency drives. These VFDs are vital to a variety of systems on campus because they control the systems and vary supply based on demand. VFDs ensure maximum efficiency and help save electricity and therefore money. Hinrichs has also been known for identifying the need for VFDs and proposing designs in order to implement these energy-saving devices. “He has a wealth of knowledge to draw on to perform with excellence, a strong desire to learn and to help others, as well as (to) solve problems creatively,” wrote Susan Orban, electrician for Electrical Maintenance and former apprentice to Hinrichs. His ability to troubleshoot and fix problems has won Hinrichs the title of “rescue man” from Orban, who points out that everyone goes to him with questions because of his experience and expertise in a wide range of electrical areas. Over the years, Hinrichs has adapted to advances in technology in order to increase his own skills. In addition, he takes on apprentices in order to help them master the trade. His patience and team attitude made Orban feel like she was working with Hinrichs, instead of for him. Robert Fritz, manager of systems and controls for the Facilities and Services Maintenance Division wrote, “His knowledge, experience and dedication is admirable. Mr. Hinrichs has distinguished himself as an electrician among his peers and is professional, reliable and a man of integrity.”
Kenney Martin is a building service worker for Facilities and Services in the Architecture Building. In this position Martin is responsible for keeping the building organized and presentable. Martin does an exceptional job of maintaining the building, making life easier for the students and staff that use the building, according to Rhonda Frank, secretary in the Architecture Undergraduate Office. “We can all count on him,” said Frank, who serves as the liaison between staff and Martin when problems arise. In a program that often requires long, late hours for students, the building is used 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but Martin takes the initiative and stays ahead of the work so that students can continue to be productive. According to Frank, Martin has a wonderful attitude, is very friendly and has gotten to know some of the students. This contributes to a positive work and teaching environment. Frank wrote, “Offices and classrooms and hallways have been swept and cleaned and details attended to right on schedule – with a pleasant smile.” Image and appearance are very important aspects of architectural design. It is important to adhere to a high standard of cleanliness in order to uphold the principals of design, especially with alumni and architects visiting the building with their critiquing eyes. Pamela Hohn, executive assistant dean in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, points out “having a clean, orderly building lets parents, alums and other visitors know that we care about them, we care about our students and are good stewards of university property.” Martin does an exceptional job of creating a positive image of the college, and continues to create a welcoming environment with his superior maintenance and friendly demeanor.
Angela Midkiff works as a secretary IV, serving as assistant to David Schejbal, the associate vice chancellor and director of the Office of Continuing Education. In this position, she works with Schejbal on a variety of tasks, including attending meetings, overseeing office affairs and resolving administrative needs. Since Schejbal’s job involves many off-campus responsibilities, Midkiff steps up when Schejbal is gone to make sure everything runs smoothly. “Angie promotes positive morale by displaying a congenial, supportive attitude and providing service to others,” Schejbal wrote. Her positive attitude has had a great positive on the staff and the campus. Midkiff understands the importance of establishing interpersonal relationships, and she makes an effort to learn as much as she can about people. This directly helps create a friendly environment. It has also proven vital to the success of committees, which function better as a result of Midkiff’s understanding of various members. Midkiff’s strong work ethic and interpersonal relationships have made her a role model for other staff members. Once, she was asked to attend a meeting as an example of how unselfish work contributes significantly to staff morale. Brian Deal, director of research at Allerton Park wrote, “She is an excellent example of how a University of Illinois staff person should approach their job.” Last year Midkiff helped put together the 2004 annual Office of Continuing Education’s staff retreat that benefited employee development. She also is asked to serve on various committees and help work on projects or lead events.
Chet Utterback is a poultry worker foreman and has worked at the UI for 18 years. He is responsible for the day-to-day activities necessary to maintain the poultry farm, including the hatching and care of chicks. Often, Utterback stays extra hours during critical hatching times to ensure the chicks receive proper care. Most recently he has taken on the responsibilities of farm manager and maintains inventory, schedules other employees and attends weekly meetings. He also gives tours to a wide range of visitors, and tailors his explanations to the level of his audience. Utterback’s outgoing nature makes him an asset to the poultry farm and the animal sciences department as he promotes the school through tours, attendance of conventions, and weekly egg sales with the public. “He is one of those naturally charismatic humans that can talk to anyone about anything,” wrote Pamela Utterback, research specialist in animal sciences. In an animal-handling lab he teaches, Utterback has become a valuable resource and mentor. Students often approach him for advice on post-undergraduate options. Neal Merchen, head of animal sciences, recognized Utterback’s abilities to help others: “Chet is a patient mentor with a vast and ever increasing knowledge of poultry science and husbandry.” He also has proven to be a resource for graduate students traveling from other states or countries, and has tried to make them feel welcome at the UI. This genuine interest in other people has gained Utterback the respect of his peers, the community and the students with whom he works.
Melissa Warmbier is a secretary IV in the department of agricultural and consumer economics. She is responsible for providing administrative support to the department, coordinating a wide range of workshops and maintaining material for the Farm Analysis Solution Tools software group. In addition, she has become the primary contact and administrative coordinator of activities in the Center for Farm and Rural Business Finance Center.
Warmbier has become a valuable resource for the 15 professors she assists, and many rely on her vast knowledge. She has taken the initiative to learn new computer programs and sharpen her computer skills, and her increased efficiency helps the department run smoothly. As Bruce Sherrick, professor in agricultural and applied finance, wrote, “ ‘Efficiency’ and ‘Melissa’ have nearly become synonyms in our department.” Over the last few months, Warmbier also was asked to move to the department head’s office to fill a vacancy. During this time, she filled the position while also managing her other responsibilities. She is now permanently assigned to the new office because of her hard work and diligence. “Melissa is an incredibly hard worker who also has brought a refreshingly positive and enjoyable attitude to the office,” wrote Robert Hauser, head of agricultural and consumer economics. Annually, Warmbier also coordinates and manages all aspects of Farm Analysis Solution Tools training programs, which have been very successful. Through her continuing efforts, she has created a positive public image for both the department and the UI.
