CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Sixteen civil service employees were recognized for exceptional performance by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – eight this year and eight in 2020. For the second consecutive year, concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic precluded a banquet for employees honored with the Chancellor’s Distinguished Staff Award.
Each recipient receives $1,000 and a plaque. Recipients’ names also are engraved on a plaque displayed in the Illinois Human Resources Office. The names of past winners are online.
Permanent staff members with at least two years of service and retired employees in status appointments during the calendar year may be nominated for the award. A committee recommends finalists, who are then approved by Chancellor Robert Jones.
Experiences in managing pandemic-related issues came to the forefront in many of the nomination forms for 2021 recipients:
Elizabeth Bowden, the duplicating services manager for Illini Union Document Services and Campus Mail Distribution, supervises staff from both units, coordinates printing and mailing production, troubleshoots customer files and production issues, creates and maintains digital letterhead and stationery templates for campus and assists with the departments' administrative tasks. During the first months of the pandemic, she made sure that urgent campus mail was redistributed, metered outgoing domestic and international mail and packages, and monitored the departments' shared email for urgent printing and mailing orders. Throughout the year, she worked with campus customers to ensure that they could continue to receive printing and mailing services, even though most staff were not on campus and most buildings remained locked.
Nominator Barb Childers, the associate director of Illini Union, says Bowden researched, developed and implemented a streamlined method for preparing packages for shipping. “This procedure saved at least 75% of the time that mail messengers spend entering shipping information. Since package shipping has increased by more than 300% during the pandemic, Liz's improvements kept the shipping process manageable and allowed packages to ship in a timely and cost-effective manner.”
Tabitha Elder, a program coordinator for University of Illinois Extension, coordinates the Champaign County Master Gardener program on a four-county unit horticulture team. “Listening may be Tabitha’s best skill. Whether in a meeting or just chatting with a volunteer, she carefully listens to what is said and asks important questions,” wrote a nominator and Master Gardener volunteer. “Thus, she is able to understand issues and to make connections between people.”
When the pandemic guidelines took effect, Elder moved the Master Gardener class online, working closely with Extension staff and volunteers by supplementing instruction with small group activities. Over time, she integrated new projects that could vary depending on the state of pandemic restrictions.
Using Box and weekly announcement emails, Elder developed easy ways for Master Gardeners to keep informed of volunteering and continuing education opportunities. She wrote a users’ guide for each of the new technologies used during the pandemic. “As the first adopter of technology, she is the go-to person for any of the hundreds of volunteers who seek solutions to problems in using it,” another nominator said.
Joe Glass Jr., the superintendent of building services for University Housing, is responsible for the organization, planning, directing and leadership of all building services functions in University Housing, consisting of approximately 170 employees. “Joe is the kind of person you really want to get to know and he is a pleasure to be around,” a fellow staff member said.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Glass has provided significant and essential leadership as the building services team implemented additional cleaning and disinfecting, supported the needs of residents in quarantine and isolation spaces, and maintained all essential efforts to provide a healthy environment for residents and employees.
“Under the direction of Joe’s leadership, this work was accomplished effectively and efficiently, with appropriate equipment, staffing assignments, and communication and collaboration with everyone involved,” wrote nominator Dawn Rawlings, University Housing’s director of business services. “Additionally, Joe works closely with colleagues in Facilities and Services to plan and coordinate waste collection and removal. As a result of this partnership, creative and innovative efficiencies in procedures and methods were identified that resulted in significant savings in time and money, while still providing excellent service to our residents.”
Joseph Hall-Ingram, a library specialist at Grainger Engineering Library, is responsible for library circulation duties, student worker supervision, book preservation duties and serves as the on-site facilities manager. “It can be hard to get the chance to ask Joe to do something, as he usually anticipates the need and is already in the process of finishing up the task by the time you think of it,” writes nominator Megan Johnson, a library specialist.
With the need for social distancing during the pandemic, Hall-Ingram helped develop the process for signing in patrons for the new reservation-based seating system that helped promote a safe study environment. The new process also helped Grainger Engineering Library better manage its scheduling, which was of particular importance during times of reduced staff and increased responsibilities. “Joe took great pains to make sure the flow of patrons remained safe and manageable for all the staff,” Johnson wrote. “Joe often provides instructive input when we’re tasked with new hurdles to overcome, but he doesn’t just make suggestions; he’s often the one who does the legwork to implement them as well.”
Michelle Osborne, office manager of the Health Care Engineering Systems Center, a unit of the Coordinated Science Laboratory, coordinates staff support services for its administrators. She manages administrative concerns, editorial duties, research activities, and organization of technical meetings for HCESC and the Jump Simulation Center.
“When staff began working from home, she single-handedly ordered, shipped and sometimes personally delivered supplies and materials to our researchers to enable them to continue their projects,” wrote nominator Veronica Severini, the HCESC marketing and communications specialist. “She worked particularly hard with our summer interns, often going to the office to replenish supplies to help fulfill research needs.”
In the midst of the pandemic, Osborne lost her brother, U. of I. Chief Information Officer Greg Gulick, to COVID-19. “She remained positive, and the tragedy never slowed down her eagerness to help, completion of office responsibilities or work performance,” Severini wrote. “She focused on her family and their needs while also being attentive to ours at HCESC, and for this deserves so much praise and appreciation.”
Andrea Paceley, the office manager of the speech and hearing science department, provides support to the graduate program – including graduate admissions – and carries out general office duties.
“The pandemic required a pivot on how we conduct recruitment events, such as our open house for admitted students. Andrea worked closely with the Educational Policy Committee and director of graduate studies to transition to a virtual format,” wrote nominator Ian B. Mertes, an assistant professor of speech and hearing science. “This required a tremendous amount of effort on Andrea’s part to help develop materials, ensure that necessary information was obtained from faculty, interface with the prospective students, schedule the events and send invites, and follow-up with attendees.”
Paceley’s workstation in the front office makes her the department’s first point of contact. “Those who call, e-mail or stop in are greeted with a friendly personality and a willingness to assist. On the occasion when she does not know the answer, she tracks it down and responds quickly,” Mertes wrote. ”She also sends timely reminders to make sure tasks have been completed, keeping departmental operations running smoothly.”
Craig Stockman, a food service sanitation laborer in University Housing, is part of a crew that supports the culinary staff by cleaning and maintaining kitchen equipment. Several nominators cited the responsibility, effort, initiative, attention to detail and positive attitude that Stockman brings to a job that can be described as gritty, hot, tough, tedious and repetitive.
Mary Wojnar, a unit manager, offered an example of Stockman’s initiative and sense of responsibility. “A sheet-metal tradesman was checking out our conveyor belt system. He came to me and reported that everything was fine, but the area underneath the conveyor belt needed to be cleaned. At some point the tradesman must have said something to Craig – the next thing I knew, Craig was out in the dining room with the doors off, halfway in the crawlspace cleaning. Not a word from me. I was still thinking about who I should assign the task to, and he had it done.”
“There’s a saying on campus when it comes to cleaning grills, that it’s not clean until it’s ‘Stockman clean,’” wrote Keith Garrett, a unit manager.
Bradley Ward, a mill worker in Facilities and Services, meets with customers and is responsible for reading blueprints or casework drawings and fabricating projects from those renderings. Ward built the trophy case at the Atkins Tennis Center, along with multiple director’s desks and dozens of other podiums and desks throughout campus.
“Brad is a very knowledgeable woodworker. Over the years, he has become the shop quality-control officer. He has very high standards and expects everything that comes out of the shop to be just that,” writes nominator Andy Burnett, the mill worker foreperson. “In the past few years, Brad has been the leader in the shop at converting existing desks in offices all over campus into sit-to-stand desks. With a combination of either two-leg or three-leg electronic lifts, he has single-handedly helped dozens of people become ergonomically comfortable at their desks. He is now passing on his knowledge to other mill workers to make sure the high quality and excellent customer service will continue into the future.”
Nominations for the 2020 award were submitted early that year. Recipients were:
Steven Bainbridge, an electrician foreman at Facilities and Services, oversees all aspects of electrical construction. His job duties include leading a team of highly skilled electricians, scoping and bidding electrical projects, developing and managing schedules, and being a subject-matter expert for complicated electrical installations.
Nominator Greg Moen, the F&S supervisor of building craftsmen, recounted Bainbridge’s role in a short-notice electrical installation in a research laboratory on campus. Bainbridge “assembled a composite crew of maintenance and construction electricians, assigned a subforeman and the job took off,” Moen said. “The system being installed was of European design and the drawings were nothing that we were accustomed to seeing. Steve had to research appropriate U.S. cable and correctly sized raceways. The system is now set for startup and I'm looking forward to seeing it run.”
Bainbridge also has been active in the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, helping develop the committee's action plan and update its charter. “Once things are in Steve's hands, I consider them on autopilot, and I know everything is going to be OK,” Moen said. “The man is unflappable.”
Thomas Bedwell, a business manager in the history department, prepares budgets, documents unit expenditures and serves as manager of academic and nonacademic human resources. “Tom possesses an ability to juggle a huge variety of demands on his time, energy, patience with grace and good humor,” wrote nominator Dana Rabin, a professor and chair of history. “On any given day, he is processing dozens of reimbursement receipts, overseeing TA salaries, negotiating with vendors about contracts, hiring and overseeing staff – often simultaneously. I have seen him handle a query on the phone while working out an impromptu question for someone standing at the threshold of his office. His talent for multitasking is admirable and critical to his – and our – success.
“It's hard to pick one anecdote, because in every dealing Tom goes beyond the call of duty; he is proactive, he understands our purpose, and he is constantly looking for ways to make it possible, even in the most dire budgetary situations. Tom looks for solutions rather than stopping at an obstacle. He really makes the impossible happen, time and time again.”
James Carter was a patrol sergeant in the Division of Public Safety at the time of his nomination, and he since has been assigned to supervise the division’s Community Outreach and Support Team. In 2019, Carter was appointed supervisor of the department's field training unit, which is tasked with preparing new police officers for their jobs. “This is not a task to be taken lightly, as the months that new recruits spend in field training are formative and serve as the foundation for the rest of their careers,” wrote Craig Stone, Carter’s nominator and at the time the executive director of public safety and chief of police. “Sgt. Carter helped to rebuild the program to make it more positive and engaging for new recruits.” His work “puts the public safety environment for the entire campus on solid ground.”
Formerly a detective who worked on a number of high-profile cases, Carter also identified a key piece of evidence in the investigation of the 2017 kidnapping and murder of a visiting scholar from China.
Terri Gitler, an office support specialist in the Center for African Studies and the Center for South Asian Middle Eastern Studies, divides her time equally between the two centers, handling reception duties, phones, newsletters, flyer design, note taking and minutes keeping, emails, and travel arrangements for staff and for frequent national and international visitors. “In all her work, she represents UIUC's international mission with professionalism, determination and an unfailing (and gentle) sense of humor,” wrote nominator Maimouna Barro, the associate director of the Center for African Studies.
“Terri's approach to her two jobs is to go above and beyond in every way to make sure things are running smoothly. For example, she relentlessly follows up the endless logistical details for events,” Barro wrote. “Visitors think that she must be the director of the centers, as they receive all their emails from her. She keeps track of details and reminds us when something seems to be in danger of slipping through the cracks. She never hesitates to pitch in when needed, at after-hours events. She really is the heart and soul of our operations and greatly deserves this recognition.”
Christina Harms, an office manager in academic affairs at the Graduate College, advises students and staff in university departments on academic policy, graduation processing and procedures.
“Tina uses her extraordinarily strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced high-volume work environment,” wrote nominator Meg Siebenhar, the Graduate College’s associate director of admissions, registration and enrollment services. “Tina consistently performs duties above and beyond her daily work responsibilities and will go out of her way to make sure that students and staff have the information that they need to move on to their next step.
“Because Tina's work is in the area of graduation, she can sometimes be the last point of contact a student has with this university. Tina is often engaged with providing student's letters of completion to prospective employers or providing students/departments with procedures to address any issues that may impede their ability to graduate. I find that Tina's communication style puts students at ease and provides them with a smooth graduation experience as they are leaving their academic career and moving on or advancing in their professional career.”
Lana Holben, currently an administrative aide in geology and in the School of Earth, Society, and the Environment, provides administrative support to both areas. A group of geology graduate students joined in her nomination. “Lana Holben is the first line of support in our small department, always willing and able to help with any problem,” the students wrote. “Lana is the core of our department, the person who knows how everything works and the person who turns us from colleagues into family. One of the many amazing things about Lana is that she is important to so many people.”
The geology graduate students cite “the degree of forethought and organization that Lana exhibits in the workplace. The flexibility and devoted way with which she approaches work and any problems that might arise is apparent to all who work with her.
“The overwhelming degree of care and concern Lana shows for those around her makes the grind of graduate school tolerable and UIUC like a home-away-from-home. Lana has provided a shoulder during times of grief and encouragement in all matters to anyone who steps into her office.”
Anthony Kite, a building service worker for Facilities and Services, maintains the basement and first floor of the Coordinated Science Laboratory, an independent research unit in the Grainger College of Engineering. Nominator Bruce Hajek is a professor of electrical and computer engineering with an office in CSL. “It is hard to explain why, but it feels to me like he is caressing the building through his work of constant washing, polishing, waxing and dusting,” Hajek wrote. “He uses a light feather duster to reach all surfaces on the main stairway that greets visitors to the Coordinated Science Laboratory. Being on the first floor, when the weather is sloppy, people entering the building from three entrances can track mud and dirt over all floors. It disappears remarkably quickly, with Tony always working steadily and quietly in the background.”
The main auditorium of CSL is in the basement and hosts outside visitors for meetings. “There is never any worry of organizers of all these very important events that anything less than the best conditions will be displayed in the environment, due to Tony.”
Lesli Lundquist, the facility operations coordinator of University Library, is responsible for daily library facility operations in 26 departmental libraries and units spread across campus in 16 facilities.
“Through her five years in this role, Lesli has developed a sweeping knowledge of everything from emergency-response procedures, to purchasing and inventory processes, to project management and event coordination to help the Library run smoothly,” wrote nominator Timothy Newman, the assistant dean of libraries for facilities. “Her expertise in planning and managing the multiple steps required for project realization, echoes in the numerous projects the library has conducted to ensure facilities are up and running.
“Facilities can be a tough business, especially when something doesn't go right. This may involve water leaks, power outages, pest infestations, unforeseen renovation issues and a host of other concerns that can occur any time, day or night. Such emergencies can be very stressful, demoralizing and even frightening, and Lesli is often the first person contacted for help. There is no issue big or small that Lesli is not quick to respond, without hesitation, offering rational and sometimes innovative solutions.”