Truly exceptional: More than 40 staff members honored during annual awards ceremony

“This is a celebration that means a great deal to me because I know very well how much the quality of our campus depends on the great work of our staff and faculty,” said Chancellor Daniel Little in a pre-recorded address. “Today’s Chancellor’s Staff Recognition Awards ceremony is one of the best ways we have of recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of our staff. The awardees today represent some of the best qualities of our campus, and I extend my thanks and congratulations to all of you.”

Chancellor’s Staff Recognition Awards

Ken Kettenbeil, vice chancellor for external relations, presented five awards during the ceremony—Exceptional Service, Exceptional Team, Exceptional Performance, Exceptional Long-Term Achievement and Outstanding Service to the Metropolitan Community and University. Winners were nominated by faculty, staff and students and then selected by the Chancellor’s Staff Recognition Awards committee.

Lynn Kujawa, administrative specialist, Department of Social Sciences, received the Exceptional Service Award for her knowledge of university procedures, adeptness at establishing processes for implementing department decisions and responsiveness to faculty requests. Colleagues also noted her expertise in financial matters and unusual personnel circumstances.

“I think I speak on behalf of the entire department when I say what a pleasure it is to work with you and how much we appreciate what you do to make our jobs easier and to make UM-Dearborn a better place to work,” said Dale Thomson, chair, Department of Social Sciences.

Members of the Undergraduate Student Services Team, College of Business, earned the Exceptional Team Award for continually improving processes to more efficiently and effectively serve the more than 1,000 COB freshman and transfer students. Team members include Cathy Boatin, Lynda Dioszegi, Lori Ormsby, Susan Wells.

“The team is very innovative, they’re proactive, they’re knowledgeable, and—probably most important to our students—is the fact that our undergraduate student services team is very caring. They’re caring, they’re open-minded and they help students to get through the program as efficiently as possible,” said Claudia Kocher, associate professor of finance.

Larry Arpi, maintenance mechanic II, Building Services, received the Exceptional Performance Award. Colleagues said he played a critical role in making new and transitional spaces safe and functional for Natural Sciences faculty, staff and students as the university prepared for the Science Building renovation project.

“Larry takes on responsibility and sees it through to the end. If you ask him to do a job, no matter how busy he is, he’s going to find the time to do it, do it well, and then go back and make sure you think he did it well. He’s very humble about it. He doesn’t complain about it. And that’s what really makes him a gem of an employee,” said Kevin Headrick, custodial services manager.

Marlene Pruitt, senior staff assistant, College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters, received the Exceptional Long-Term Achievement Award, for her more than 25 years of service to the university. Colleagues noted her broad institutional knowledge, responsiveness to faculty and staff needs and willingness to mentor CASL staff.

“Marlene is deserving of this award because she is the go-to person within CASL. Any time there is a question, everyone—at every committee level—says, ‘Let’s ask Marlene.’ Having worked with six different deans, Marlene is the institutional memory of the college. It’s not clear to anyone just now how we will get along without her,” said Michael Lachance, associate dean, College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters.

Mike Callahan, internship director, College of Business, earned the Outstanding Service to the Metropolitan Community and University Award. The award recognized Callahan’s work to connect industry and nonprofit organizations with UM-Dearborn students, as well as his efforts to introduce local high school students to the university through programs like E-Academy and the World Trade Game simulation.

“As director of the internship center, he’s in a position that naturally puts him at the intersection of the university and our community partners. … The thing about Mike is he’s just everywhere. Every time you turn around, Mike is doing some interesting, new program,” said Joy Beatty, associate professor of management studies.

Milestone Work Anniversaries

Five Years:
Kathy Dew, Joan Doherty, Lorie Domingue, Andrea Eccles, Rand Kazanji, Ken Kettenbeil, Kevin Lewtschanyn, Beth Marmarelli, Anita Miller, Lori Ormsby, Lorri Proudlock, Michael Wagner, Jason Watts

10 Years:
Traci Ballard, Rachel Buzzeo, Judy Garfield, Gary Pastiva, Gail Tubbs

15 Years:
Tammy Casey, Marsha Dodero, Linda King, Constance Lawson, Elizabeth Morden, Ronald Thompson

20 Years:
Rayna Anderson, Russell Bell, Sally Foster, Kathleen Pepin

25 Years:
Mary Burton Howard, Carol Ann Ligienza, Ronald Przybylski

30 Years:
Jeanette Frederick, Beverly Higgins, Bonnie Southerland, Russell Strawsine