UA News

The awards, presented annually, recognized staff and appointed personnel who have done work above and beyond their job descriptions.

Several University of Arizona employees will be honored next month for going above and beyond in their jobs.

The University Staff Awards for Excellence – presented annually by the Staff Advisory Council, Appointed Professionals Advisory Council, UA President Robert N. Shelton and the President's Cabinet – recognize outstanding classified staff and appointed personnel in four award categories.

Provost Meredith Hay will read the following honorees' names and Shelton will present them with their awards during a ceremony in the Student Union Memorial Center Grand Ballroom on April 13 at 3 p.m.

University Staff Awards for Excellence
Awarded to multiple benefits-eligible staff or appointed personnel for outstanding workplace achievements. Winners receive $1,000.

Trudy Morrow, administrative assistant in nutritional sciences, was nominated for performing tasks that "amounted to countless hours of work above her normal duties." When Morrow sees a need, she does whatever it takes to keep the department operating smoothly, her nominators said. Besides her normal duties, she finds time to work on special projects, including Wildcat Welcome and the food and clothing collection for Cats in the Community Day.

Claudia Arias, administrative secretary for Career Services, was nominated for her efforts to keep the Career Services front desk running with maximum efficiency. Arias is known among her colleagues as someone who "thrives on new challenges." Her nominators said, "The quality that sets Claudia apart is her compassion and support for students and alumni who seek assistance in Career Services."

Frank Demer, health and safety officer for Risk Management & Safety, has a 20-year record of providing outstanding service to the campus community in industrial hygiene and employee safety and health. Examples of Demer's efforts are well-documented and numerous, said his nominators. "He has driven the development of a lab chemical hygiene plan, protocols for working with hazardous gases, a chemical hazard assessment and registration program for labs and facilities and more."

Gary S. Nichol, assistant staff scientist in chemistry,  supervises the X-ray Diffraction Facility. His nominators said his most important contribution has been organizing a National Science Foundation proposal to fund new and modern equipment, resulting in a "state-of-the-art instrument that now makes the X-ray diffraction facilities at the UA among the best in the world."

Gregg D. Cure, electronic technician in the Micro/Nano Fabrication Center, Cure was nominated for his willingness to help in ways that often extend beyond the confines of a typical work day. Cure defines "above and beyond," regularly working beyond his compensated hours and dropping in on Saturdays and Sundays to "check on things," his nominators said.

Grisela Koeppen, administrative associate for the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory, single-handedly supports the administrative needs for the observatory, based on Mt. Graham, a job her nominators called "a stressful, 24/7 activity." Colleagues said Koeppen is "an extraordinary presence in our group, offering a listening ear and a helping hand, and maintaining morale and a feeling of teamwork."

Lori Boyd, program coordinator for graduate services in chemistry, acts as the point person for recruiting new graduate students in chemistry. Innovative programs have been established under her leadership, including a mentor program for graduate students. One colleague said, "She is always available to listen to students and has a keen sense (of) when to encourage, when to admonish or when simply to listen."

Nicholas Ferdinandt, assistant director of teaching in the Center for English as a Second Language, was instrumental in doubling student enrollment in CESL's Nogales Program, which sends English instructors to that border city twice a week to teach English to adults working in the "maquilas" (border factories and businesses). Ferdinandt's nominators said one of his biggest strengths is his ability to inspire people to challenge themselves and do their best.

Raina Nieland, office specialist for UA South, has been dubbed the "Queen of Multi-tasking" by the director of UA South's Pima County Operations. Nieland is known as a decisive, independent thinker who concentrates on solutions, rather than obstacles. Colleagues say if you need "something done quickly and done right, Raina is the person to call."

Robert M. Reinking, senior research engineer in applied mathematics, is noted for his influence on joint research training and collaborative research efforts, which has helped advance the careers of more than 50 neuroscientists during his 40-plus years at the UA. 

The Billy Joe Varney Award for Excellence
Awarded to one benefits-eligible employee with at least 15 cumulative years of employment at the UA, to recognize a career of dedicated service to the UA. The winner receives $1,500.

Daniel Silvain, director of radiation control, is a board-certified radiologic physicist and a frequent guest lecturer and consultant on radiological hazards and emergency response in the community. As a result of his efforts, the University, as well as the Tucson community, are better prepared to deal with radiological threats, said his nominators.

The University Team Award for Excellence
Awarded to teams of three or more people committed to a common purpose or goal at the UA. Team members share a $1,500 prize.

Staff of the department of management and organizations in the Eller College of Management
The team – composed of Brandie Cudney, Anne Pentland and Lori Topp – was nominated for its work managing and serving the department's ongoing research, teaching and service activities.

Hazardous Waste and Environmental Compliance Team in Risk Management & Safety 
The team collects, processes and arranges for disposal of all nonradioactive hazardous waste materials from University research and teaching laboratories, maintenance activities on campus and from all University-operated facilities statewide. The team consists of Jeff Christensen, Walter Waid, Mike Holcomb and Mike Garcia, who have almost 55 years of combined service to the University.

The Department Award for Excellence
Awarded to a single campus department for excellence in managing people and resources.

McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship
The McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship is a flagship department of the University of Arizona, currently ranked as the top public undergraduate program and the second best public graduate program in the field of entrepreneurship education by U.S. News & World Report. The McGuire Center enhances and broadens the reputation of the UA in the community as a leading center for innovation, creativity and volunteerism.

For more information, visit the Staff Advisory Council Web site.