CYtation Award Winners

Six new Professional and Scientifc CYtation winners have been selected by the Awards Committee of the P&S Council.  They were honored in a ceremony including President Geoffrey and P&S Council President Cathy Good on May 2nd, 2007.  Those who were honored are:

Kate Shafer –Academic Advisor, Early Childhood Education, Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) Human Sciences. In recognition of providing services that go above and beyond the duties expected of an academic advisor.
Nominator: Amy Popillion

Kate has done an amazing job at connecting with the students she advises not only on an academic level but also on a personal level. Kate has often checked on struggling students after work hours to be sure they were well. She takes the time to make each of her advisees feel that they are respected and valued. Kate also understands the value of her own personal development and proved this by taking a class that her advisees take in order to gain a better understanding of what they go through. She is often more than an advisor to her students; she is also their friend and mentor.

Catherine Webb –Program Assistant , Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute (PPSI). In recognition of her involvement and enthusiasm with the PROSPER program and her creativity in maintaining strong levels of participation.
Nominator: Richard Spoth

Catherine has played a pivotal role implementing for the challenges involved with this very complex and large-scale project PROSPER, which involves 28 school districts. Catherine's creative enthusiasm has enhanced the reputation of this project within the communities statewide. She conducts the preparatory work, puts in extra time and effort, and attends to the big and small details that make the participants feel welcome. Catherine willingly volunteers to take on extra projects and responsibilities. Without fail, Catherine still manages to find time to recognize and inquire about important occurrences in people's lives, a gesture that is greatly appreciated and recognized among the staff.

Steve Rentschler –Project Planning Specialist, Facilities Planning & Management. In recognition of his role to support ISU project activities as a project planner and estimator, construction and project manager, and his work for the highly successful Black Cultural Center renovation.
Nominator: Bob Currie

Steve's efforts have been recognized by his customers numerous times. Steve's most recent and most challenging renovation has been the Black Cultural Center (BCC). The success of this particular project was linked directly through his coordination, management, and customer skills. Steve played a critical role in this complex project that was in complete disrepair and involved more than his normal scope of services. Steve rose to the occasion and expertly directed six different contractors and coordinated work with three different code inspectors throughout the renovation process. The impact this project has had was not only recognized by ISU but also by the Ames community, and Steve played a critical role in making it happen.

Kim Thanh Vo–Accountant, Institute for Social Behavioral Research (ISBR). In recognition of her extraordinary efforts in providing the very best grant-production services on campus.
Nominator: Carolyn E. Cutrona

Kim is a whiz at translating the lists that faculty members give her for activities and equipment they wish to have included on their grants. Kim goes above and beyond the call of duty to see that each grant has been approved and received. Once the grant is funded, she embarks on a mission to ensure that the faculty member has immediate access to funds. She is vigilant following the federal and university purchasing rules. Kim quickly and accurately prepares beautiful reports. She has been known to spend entire days, including weekends, searching for problems that may have occurred a year or more in the past. Her understanding of accounting is formidable.

Anthony Connor –Program Assistant, Observation Unit Institute of Social and Behavioral Research (ISBR). In recognition of his key role in studying factors that promote the well-being of children and families.
Nominator: Janet N. Melby

Anthony helps coordinate the observational coding work for several of ISBR's on-going projects. He assists and supervises the Observation Unit's 30 staff members. When the unit's Assistant Director left unexpectedly, Anthony went above and beyond the call of duty by assuming several of the responsibilities for the team she had supervised, thereby ensuring continuity of this work for the staff performing the coding and for the principal investigator. In addition, Anthony supports the unit's service and outreach efforts with outside researchers. He willingly accepts the challenges associated with providing criteria ratings and assisting in training outside groups. He exceeds the responsibilities of his position through his dedication, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

Debra Sanborn –Program Coordinator, Hixson Opportunities Program and National Student Exchange and Interim Director of the Academic Success Center . In recognition of going above and beyond the duties expected by accepting additional responsibilities through interim roles leading New Student Programs and the Academic Success Center .
Nominator: Mimi Benjamin

Debra provided leadership for the New Student Programs through Enrollment Services while Liz Kurt was on leave to oversee the National Special Olympics. Debra then willingly accepted additional responsibilities when she was asked to fill another role as Interim Director of the Academic Success Center . In both cases, Debra willingly accepted the additional responsibilities and continued to fulfill her role and duties with the position with the Hixson Program and National Exchange. She was also responsible for overseeing the move of several offices from the Student Services Center to the new Hixson-Lied Student Success Building .