March 24, 2003


2003 Awards of Distinction

Congratulations to the winners of the 2003 Awards of Distinction. The following 13 individuals were honored at a ceremony, held March 20, during which each was presented a plaque and a $500 U.S. savings bond by President Bill Chace.


Frank “Chip” Bullock
Capital Project Manager
Campus Planning

Chip Bullock has served as project manager during planning and design of such Emory buildings as the Nell Hodgsen Woodruff School of Nursing, the Math & Science Center, Yerkes Parking Deck and the Clifton Child Care centers, to name a few. “Chip is the guy who finds solutions, no matter what the effort,” said his nominator, Jen Fabrick, director of Campus Planning.“He is an active enviornmentalist who is able to communicate common sense and rational thought while maintaining his passion and quest for understanding and exploration.”


Diane Cassels
Administrator
Radiation Oncology

Since May 2002, Diane Cassels has taken on the extra workload of serving as interim administrator for pediatrics and interim chief operating officer for the Emory Children’s Center, reorganizing the finance and accounting systems and budgets for each entity. Because of her initiative and overall commitment to her responsibilities, pediatrics chair Devn Cornish, wrote, “It is hard to imagine a person who could be more deserving of the Award of Distinction this year than Diane Cassels.”


Leslie Church
Program Administrative Assistant
French & Italian

Leslie Church has served both the professors and students of the French and Italian department since 1989. She began as a senior secretary and was promoted two years ago to her current position. Department chair Carol Herron wrote that “[Church’s] expertise is invaluable” and that recognition from the Emory community is long overdue. “Leslie has taken it upon herself to improve her linguistic and cultural proficiency to intensify her contributions,” wrote Herron, adding Church has completed her master’s in French and was one of the first recipients of a Dean’s Travel Award.


Bill Collier
Director
Parking Office

“It would appear that Bill Collier lives to increase ‘customer satisfaction’ for University trustees, staff in the President’s/University Secretary’s offices, and countless Emory campus guests, particularly on Commencement weekend year after year,” wrote nominator Mary Anne Lindskog, associate University secretary. “Bill handles all parking dilemmas calmly, professionally, courteously and pleasantly.” Key to Collier’s success, Lindskog added, is his knowledge and attention to advance planning, enabling him to handle every crisis with ease.


Susan Eckert
Associate Dean
Nursing

Susan Eckert joined the nursing school two years ago when it was in need of assistance with serious financial problems. Nursing Dean Marla Salmon wrote that Eckert “has made a significant impact on all aspects” of the school’s function. “Susan began her role by literally analyzing every expenditure,” Salmon wrote. “The impact of Dr. Eckert’s work has been remarkable and tremendous. In summary, [she] has led the school in becoming an extremely well managed, highly responsible and accountable part of the University.”


Susie Lackey
Research Specialist Supervisor
Yerkes Center

A Yerkes Staff Council, University Senate and Employee Council member, Susie Lackey “takes her responsibilities very seriously, investing her energy into helping the employees of the University,” wrote nominator Mark Wilson, director of Yerkes’ endocrine core laboratory. Lackey also illustrates a philanthropic side by participating in a number of Habitat for Humanity projects.“[Nothing] deterred her from hammering, hauling and lifting materials to help build homes for needy families,” wrote Wilson, adding that Lackey also is active in her church in Jonesboro.


Paul Lewis
Plasterer/Painter
Facilities Management

Paul Lewis has been a supportive member of Facilities Management and Emory for more than 11 years, wrote nominator Tommy Cutts, staging supervisor. During Lewis’ time here, he has helped maintain Candler Library, Alabama Hall and the Glenn Church School Building. “Paul is devoted to the University,” Cutts wrote. “He loves to come to work. He has an excellent attendance record; he once went seven straight years without using any sick leave. Paul’s initiative, high principles and attitude for serving Emory is an example for everyone to follow.”


Mark McLeod
Director
Emory Counseling Center

As a counselor at the Counseling Center for the past 21 years (serving as director for the past 10), Mark McLeod has played an integral role in diversifying the center’s staff. Nominator Michael Huey, executive director of Student Health and Counseling Services, wrote, “I feel that it is both appropriate and accurate to say that Mark is the single most important contributor on this campus to the individual and collective mental health of Emory students. Emory needs a strong leader for student counseling and mental health services … and [Mark] is extraordinarily well suited to the role.”


Jane DiFolco Parker
Senior Associate Vice President
Institutional Advancement

Jane Parker chaired the project that brought to Emory a new, advanced Donor Records System (DRS). “[The DRS] will enhance Emory’s gift-giving process which is the lifeline to many projects here at Emory,” wrote nominator Anita Britten, administrative assistant. Senior Vice President Bill Fox added, “In my entire career at two universities spanning 38 years, Jane may come as close to the consummate professional as anyone I have known or with whom I have had the opportunity to work. She not only fulfills her job responsibility to near perfection, she also is in so many ways the glue which holds an entire division together.”


Laura Beth Robbins
Associate Director
Oxford Office of Admission

An active participant on the Admission and Financial Aid Task Force and Bookstore Advisory Task Force, Laura Robbins serves Oxford in multiple capacities, wrote nominator Jennifer Taylor, associate dean for admission and financial aid. “Laura continually makes vital contributions to the operation and atmosphere of the office with her versatile skills; she is known as a quiet leader as she listens, reflects and asks relevant questions,” Taylor wrote. “Laura is a great role model as a leader in the office, across campus and at the University, as evidenced by the positive responses she receives from her subordinates, her peers and all who have the good fortune to work with her.”


Todd Schill
Assistant Vice President
University Housing

In his 13 years at Emory, Todd Schill has provided the inspiration and impetus for several notable initiatives, such as the Phoenix Plan, the construction of Clairmont Campus and the financial stewardship of all residential facilities resulting in significant renovations, wrote nominator Brit Katz, assistant dean for Campus Life. “I have been mesmerized by Dr. Schill’s quest for excellence in leadership and in results; his history of management has produced the most startlingly positive yields of anyone I have encountered,” Katz said. “It is unquestionable that he has benefitted students—not only those currently enrolled, but those who will enroll at Emory for many years to come.”


Ross Singer
Applications Developer/Analyst
University Libraries

“For the past year Ross Singer has worked closely with the University Library Systems team and the staff of the Emory libraries to enhance and expand the capabilities of the libraries’ electronic reserves operation,” wrote nominator Joan Gotwals, vice provost and director of University Libraries. “Ross’ creative electronic-reserves efforts definitely have improved the quality of Emory’s academic life. His willingness to share these enhancements with other academic sites represents yet another positive contribution that he, and Emory, are making to higher education in general.”


Barbara Stark
Training & Communications Coordinator
Facilities Management

A member of Facilities Management since July 2000, Barbara Stark has “exhibited an extraordinary combination of professionalism, sense of compassion and humanity,” wrote nominator Bonita Swain, HR manager for Facilities Management. Stark currently is in the process of interviewing all 550 FM employees to help them assess their career goals. “Barbara is a vivacious, talented young woman who is striving to make FM all it can be,” added Debbie Moyers, FM director of resource planning. “Senior management in FM has a very high regard for Barbara’s ability to do her job and frequently seeks her opinion when discussing topics affecting the division’s workforce.”


—compiled by Matthew Harrison