Models of Excellence

Dear Penn Faculty and Staff,

We are pleased to announce the Year 2000 Models of Excellence award winners. The Models of Excellence program was introduced this year to support the values of the University; to provide models of outstanding accomplishment for emulation; and to offer an opportunity to honor, award, and celebrate outstanding achievements by staff members of the Penn community.

A committee of Penn leaders selected the award winners from among 145 staff members who were nominated for recognition by their peers, colleagues and managers. The award winners were selected for achievements above and beyond the expectations of their jobs, which embodied the excellence criteria for this program:

  • Development and implementation of practices, procedures and policies that creatively support and further the University's mission,
  • Application of innovative and proactive leadership in challenging circumstances,
  • Extraordinary service to key constituencies,
  • Substantial cost-savings, and
  • Establishment of relationships within and/or outside of the immediate organization which enable goals to be met that would be impossible otherwise.

Models Award Winners

  1. For innovative and proactive leadership in developing academically-based community service courses that address core campus health issues: Kurt Conklin, Health Educator, Office of Health Education, Office of the Vice Provost for University Life.
  2. For supportive practices, procedures, and policies contributing to creation of a first-rate electronics instruction laboratory: Siddharth M. Deliwala, Manager, Instructional Laboratory, Electrical Engineering Department, School of Engineering and Applied Science.
  3. For extraordinary service in the academic and personal support provided for students in the Benjamin Franklin and University Scholars Programs: Susan Z. Duggan, Coordinator, University Scholars; Cheryl Shipman, Administrative Assistant, Ben Franklin Scholars and General Honors; and Linda Wiedmann, Associate Director, Benjamin Franklin Scholars and General Honors.
  4. For exemplary relationship building within and outside the immediate organization to create a mentoring/tutoring program for freshmen of the School of Engineering and Applied Science: Katherine Lowe-Becht, House Dean, Ware College House.
  5. For proactive leadership and extraordinary service leading to great success and growth of the PennCares alumni community service program: Ellen Liebman, Assistant Director, Global Alumni Network and Coordinator for Alumni Relations Computer Services; Jennifer Rizzi, Assistant Director, Classes and Reunions and Assistant Director, University of Pennsylvania Alumni Society; and Joel Nied, Volunteer Leader and Associate, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
  6. For innovative and proactive leadership in developing an internationally renowned website for the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: Suzanne Clappier, Information Technology Support Specialist; and Ray Rorke, Information Technology Support Specialist, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Honorable Mentions

  1. For substantial cost-effectiveness and extraordinary service in supporting the expansion of the Department of Chemistry: Lauren Oshana, Business Administrator, Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences.
  2. For substantial creativity and cost-effectiveness in reorganizing business practices, the members of the MBA Admissions and Financial Aid Office: Robert Alig, Director; Sharon Brooks, Associate Director; Alex Brown, Associate Director; Renee Carrecter, Administrative Assistant; Eric Chambers, Associate Director; Rochelle Crenshaw, Administrative Assistant; Charicha Ford, Administrative Assistant; Alfreda Goode, Operations Manager; Serita Lewis, Administrative Assistant; Rosemarie Martinelli, Associate Director; Mae Shores, Associate Director; Carol Tunstall, Associate Director; Joseph Tyler, Associate Director; and Bonny Wilson, Administrative Assistant.

In May, we will distribute a publication providing more information about the achievements that earned your colleagues this honor. Please take careful note of these achievements. Many can be replicated and we encourage you to consider their applicability in your area of work. At the very least, we hope that the creativity, proactive leadership, service, cost-savings and relationship building of these staff members will serve as models for your actions at Penn.

On May 8, an award ceremony and reception will be held in honor of the above award winners. The Models award winners will receive a symbol of appreciation and a $500 monetary gift. Individuals identified for Honorable Mention will receive a symbol of appreciation and a $250 monetary gift.

Please join us in congratulating your colleagues.

--Judith Rodin, President --Robert L. Barchi, Provost --John A. Fry, Executive Vice President

Models of Excellence Selection Committee

Larry Gross, Professor of Communication, Annenberg School for Communication, Chair, Faculty Senate

Beth Hagovsky, Associate Director of Student Affairs, The Wharton School, Vice Chair Elect, Penn Professional Staff Assembly

John J. Heuer, Vice President, Human Resources

Rosemary McManus, Secretary of the University

Kendra Nicholson, Chair, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly

Amy Simmerman, Executive Committee, Student Committee on Undergraduate Education

Harbir Singh, Edward H. Bowman Professor of Management, Chair, Management Department, The Wharton School

Tom Stump, Executive Director, Budget and Administration, School of Engineering and Applied Science

Ex Officio: Marilyn Kraut, Manager, Quality of Worklife Programs, Division of Human Resources


Almanac, Vol. 46, No. 29, April 18, 2000

| FRONT PAGE | CONTENTS | JOB-OPS | CRIMESTATS | COUNCIL: International Programs Year-End Report | COUNCIL: Bookstore Year-End Report | Lindback Winners, 2000 | TALK ABOUT TEACHING ARCHIVE | BETWEEN ISSUES | APRIL at PENN |