Eight civil service staff employees were honored with the Chancellor's Distinguished Staff Award at a banquet April 25 at the Student Dining and Residential Programs building. The award recognizes exceptional performance.
Recipients received $2,000 and a personalized acrylic desktop award, and their names appear on a plaque displayed in the Staff Human Resources Office. The names of past winners are available online.
Permanent staff employees with at least two years of service or retired employees in status appointments during the calendar year may be nominated for the award. A committee recommends finalists, who are approved by the chancellor.
Catherine E. Ballew, an administrative assistant for the Master of Science in Policy Economics Program in the department of economics, completes tasks with enthusiasm and comes through with consistent results.
“Her attention to detail, determination to get things done right and professionalism are unsurpassed. Cathy strives to learn and to take on new challenges,” said Werner Baer, who was the Jorge Lemann Distinguished Professor of Economics and nominated her prior to his death in March.
Ballew is responsible for managing the operations of the Masters of Science in Policy Economics Program and supervises two civil service employees and three teaching assistants. She oversees the business and financial operations of the program, develops and coordinates advertising, communicates with campus units and acts as an adviser for students.
“The success of the MSPE Program has as much to do with the personalized attention we pay our students as with their formal education,” said Firouz Gahvari, the Leiby Hall Endowed Chair and a professor of economics, who is the director of the MSPE Program. “Cathy sees to it that this is done to perfection. There is a reason that ours is called ‘the MSPE family.’”
Ballew’s association with MSPE dates back to the inception of the program, although she has not worked for the program the entire time.
“The MSPE Program started in fall 1984 with 20 students. Thirty-one years on, in fall 2015, we had 129 students in-residence and over 1,500 alumni from 104 different countries around the world,” Gahvari said. “Cathy organizes and oversees the implementation of all our special activities, paying close attention to the minutest details. She excels in this undertaking and does it with such gusto and enthusiasm that lifts up the spirits of everybody else in the office. I cannot think of anybody who can bring this intangible quality, and at this high level, to the job the same way that Cathy does. Cathy is a truly exceptional, delightful and outstanding person. She is simply irreplaceable.”
John R. Blackburn ,a physical science technical assistant for the Nuclear Physics Laboratory in the department of physics, works in support of research in experimental nuclear physics.
“John demonstrates excellence in his overall work performance on a day-to-day basis and provides our group with high-quality product very complimentary to the impact our department makes in our field of work,” said Eric Lee Thorsland, a senior research engineer in the department of physics, who nominated Blackburn.
Blackburn’s responsibilities include the designing, testing, installing and manufacturing of complex targets and detectors for nuclear physics research.
He has taken on a lot of work, including 3-D modeling using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. Blackburn’s job requires a high level of attention to detail and high standards of precision.
“John puts forth an effort to improve himself and develop and assist others. In carrying out his duties, John has gone far beyond the expectations of his job description and shows a drive to not only learn but become an expert in new technologies on his own,” Thorsland said. “And in doing, so he presents a very positive impression of our department and its work.”
Blackburn regularly takes on new work while adapting to new technologies and learning new skills without having to be asked.
“John is always helpful and willing to pass on this knowledge to new colleagues,” Thorsland said. “He is a patient teacher to young students and introduces them to procedures unknown to them. He is unselfish, humble and quietly works for the better of our group and the university as a whole.”
“I got to know John well over the past several years as I built up new experimental apparatuses in my new lab at Loomis,” said Liang Yang, a professor of physics. “Without his capable technical assistance, I would not have been able to finish building these instruments on time and start producing scientific results quickly to stay competitive in the field. I have worked with technicians at many institutions throughout my career, including Harvard University, Yale University, National Institute of Standards and Technology and SLAC National Accelerator Lab. I can say without a doubt that John is the most capable, helpful and creative technician I have ever worked with.”
Timothy R. Clifton ,a pipefitter for Facilities and Services, has the responsibility of repairing and maintaining fire protection equipment for the campus along with steam heating equipment for maintenance zone No. 6, which is located at the Veterinary Medicine Basic Science Building and covers the south section of campus, primarily south of Kirby Avenue.
“Tim’s dedication to this university far exceeds what would generally be expected from the typical employee,” said David Alms, a retired supervisor of building craftsmen, who nominated Clifton. “His dedication and service contributes to increased safety and comfort for all employees, students and visitors, primarily in his work with the fire protection systems on this campus.”
Clifton has assisted and trained employees at University Housing during the annual fire system testing. He performs more than 200 tests on fire pumps and fire systems annually, which involves covering all buildings on campus with fire suppression systems, meeting National Fire Protection Association requirements, calculating and verifying system flows and documenting all results to meet state fire marshal guidelines.
He also maintains all hot-water heating systems and the repairs needed for zone No. 6. Clifton maintains and repairs the boiler systems and equipment for this area.
He has a cheerful and positive nature, and he is well-known from different units on campus, specifically University Housing and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. A volunteer firefighter, he works alongside the Champaign and Urbana fire departments when they respond to campus.
In October 2014, Clifton responded to a fire at Roger Adams Lab because he noticed an Illini Alert. Because of his knowledge of the systems, he was able to assist the Urbana Fire Department to keep the fire protection systems online for all areas of RAL and the three buildings of Chemical and Life Sciences Laboratory to protect human life but also to safeguard the university from building and system loss in the event of another fire.
“Tim is an individual who is proactive when dealing with not only the daily issues he encounters on campus, but those he identifies while he may be in an area responding to unrelated concerns,” Alms said. “Tim recommends repairs or completes system updates when needed, and offers suggestions as to the best way to accomplish a task or to make a system operate more efficiently.”
Kelly D. Edwards ,an office support specialist for Facilities and Services’ Utilities and Energy Services, has provided excellent service to the campus and community through her work and also has enhanced the image of F&S.
“Kelly understands the complex issues our campus has to handle on a daily basis, and she is ready and willing to listen and provide supportive advice or assistance,” said Morgan B. Johnston, the director of sustainability for Facilities and Services, who nominated Edwards.
Edwards works toward bettering herself and the community. For the last eight years, Edwards has been involved with the Champaign-Urbana One-to-One Mentoring program. And after recently getting a degree in general studies from Eastern Illinois University, she is applying for postgraduate work to advance her own professional development.
Johnston said Edwards often offers to help others with work, and she provides guidance to new employees at F&S. “Kelly is often the smiling face in the crowd, lifting spirits and lending a helping hand,” Johnston said.
There are often sensitive and high-profile issues within Utilities and Energy Services that have to be addressed. Edwards keeps a calm demeanor and makes sure the needed materials are ready and distributed to the people who need them.
She acts as the primary contact for Utilities and Energy Services staff members. She maintains the calendar for the director, prioritizing commitments according to degree of significance. She provides the director with the necessary documents for review in advance of meetings. She creates meeting agendas and has arranged public events on campus.
Edwards volunteered to manage the Energy Conservation Incentive Program awards. The program supports energy conservation by raising awareness of the buildings on campus with the greatest reduction in energy usage from one year to the next. Because of her dedication, the ECIP awards have been very well received, which supports and promotes the campus’s commitment to sustainability.
“Kelly is one of those people who the campus is blessed to have on our team. She is a beacon of goodwill both on and off the campus,” Johnston said.
John J. Humer, a building service worker for Facilities and Services, takes his responsibilities seriously while thinking about others and always being helpful.
Humer’s primary job is to take care of Altgeld Hall, including sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and dusting. Humer takes care of the facility “as if it were his own home,” said Tori Corkery, a program coordinator in the department of mathematics, who nominated him.
“John clearly takes pride in his work and it shows in the excellence in his overall work performance. We have had other good workers in the past, but John goes the extra mile, always taking care of the finest details,” Corkery said.
The department of mathematics has specialized needs, as the department is housed in Altgeld Hall, one of the oldest buildings on campus. Adrienne Harris, an office manager in the department, wrote in a letter of support that Humer has never complained about his work and always shows a willingness to learn new tasks.
Humer is a born problem-solver who always strives to do the best job possible. He brings problems to the attention of staff members along with offering the solutions. He also takes the time to talk with faculty, staff and students without disrupting the work in the department.
“John has, in a way, become a member of the mathematics department because he is an integral part of our team to provide a positive environment for our faculty and students to work and study in, making it possible for us to provide the best mathematical instruction to students,” Corkery said. “If we have learned anything from having John in our lives here in the department of mathematics, it would be that one should not take people for granted. John is intelligent, caring and generous, and will go far in life.”
Ronald Guinn Lewis, a disability transportation specialist for Disability Resources and Educational Services, greets every patron with a smile while transporting them within the campus community.
“His reliability, attention to kindness, compassion and understanding have been phenomenal and consistent from the start of his employment with DRES,” said Mylinda Granger, the DRES accessibility and transportation coordinator, who nominated him.
Lewis’ job involves greeting, interacting with and assisting persons with disabilities while he transports them. Granger said Lewis cares about getting students to their classes on time and he always makes sure the students have a ride back to their residence halls. He also makes sure passengers arrive closest to their building’s automated entrance. Before leaving, he makes sure students with more severe disabilities get inside their destination building.
Lewis knows the students he serves by name, along with what they are studying, as well as their dreams and aspirations, said Patricia Malik, the interim director of the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services.
“This is a demanding job that requires not only the ability to interact with a variety of students with disabilities, but to navigate a fixed route each hour of his day shift, throughout an extremely crowded campus, to transport students safely to and from their destinations,” Malik said.
Humer also removes snow and ice by shoveling boarding areas so students are able to get on his bus safely. He has pushed individuals in power wheelchairs out of snow and ice conditions to get them on the bus. Co-workers value him and they can always count on him to be a backup driver for student, faculty, staff and visitor ride requests.
“The quality of integrity and excellence is Ron Lewis in everyday actions,” Granger said.
“As an office administrator in the College of Law, Angela Y. Martin is organized, efficient and attentive to her work. She delivers the highest quality work,” said Jason Mazzone, a professor of law, who nominated Martin.
“Across the entire college – among deans, faculty members, students and staffers alike – Angela is held in the very highest regard for the contributions she makes on a daily, indeed hourly, basis to our community,” Mazzone said.
Martin assists the associate dean for academic affairs, which includes helping recruit and hire adjunct faculty members, conveying information to the deans and directors of the college, working with the student-course-evaluation system, helping to plan events and many other tasks.
“Angela is a constant helpful presence. Whenever a problem arises, Angela just seems to appear, ready to solve it,” Mazzone said.
Martin goes above her job description, including driving visitors to the airport when a taxi doesn’t arrive, setting aside a luncheon plate for someone with special dietary needs and notifying a faculty member who has forgotten about a committee meeting.
Her work has saved time for those in the college. She created an online system that allows committee members the ability to share impressions of candidate applications before meetings occur.
Her friendliness to students, visitors, faculty members and deans sets and maintains a positive environment for the college.
“Angela is routinely a step ahead of the rest of us. She focuses not just on getting a task done but on getting it done with minimal fuss for all involved. She foresees hurdles that might arise, and she has an advance plan to overcome them,” Mazzone said.
The amount of work Jennifer L. Payan, an administrative clerk for the Division of Public Safety, performs could easily be divided between two people, but her efficiency and accuracy make it seem easy for her to complete by herself.
Her job involves coordinating the procedures and documentation for the university’s compliance with mandates for the Clery Act and Violence Against Women Act and the Department of Education’s Title IX requirements.
Before she took on this role, the university scrambled to understand the growing requirements of the Clery Act.
“When Jennifer took over as the compliance coordinator, she was instrumental in transforming the University of Illinois into what could be considered an institution after which others could model their compliance strategies,” said Anthony Brown, the police captain for the Division of Public Safety, who nominated her.
The work she does is invaluable, as it reduces the risk of harm to students, staff, faculty and visitors through information, warnings and resources. Payan receives a vast amount of information for the Clery Act from the campus and around the world. Any mistake in crime reporting could cost the university $35,000 per violation and a loss of credibility. She also does data collection and reporting for the Protection of Minors Policy. And she compiles and maintains documentation for the university police department’s accreditation.
“Her work requires a great deal of diligence, organization and kindness to gently remind busy people to dig, compile and report statistics that they may not believe have impact on their everyday work,” Brown said.
She often questions those reporting incidents about whether they are subject to warnings.
“Prior to Jennifer taking over as compliance coordinator, the University of Illinois would not have been considered a model compliance institution. We hear of institutions in the news who are subject to Department of Education audits and fines,” Brown said. “This negative publicity often makes national headlines and subjects universities to uncomfortably scrutiny. Jennifer is highly dedicated to ensuring that this does not happen to the University of Illinois.”