Academic staff awarded for leadership, public service

For outstanding work in leadership, public service, research and teaching, eight UW–Madison professionals have been honored with the 2005 Academic Staff Excellence Awards.

Winners will be recognized by the Academic Staff Assembly on Monday, May 9.

This year, the academic staff especially remembers Barry Robinson, who died unexpectedly of heart failure on April 19. For the past two years, Robinson co-chaired the Academic Staff Assembly’s Professional Development and Recognition Committee, the group that reviews nominations and makes recommendations for excellence awards.

His life exemplified the heartfelt service for which he was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Service to the University in 2003.

This year’s winners are:

Robert Fessenden, Associate Director, University Housing
Wisconsin Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Leadership

One of the highest compliments Fessenden has received in his 25-year career is the large number of administrators from other institutions calling to ask about how UW–Madison has offered a particular breakthrough in food service.

Throughout the years, he has helped spearhead many innovations, including flexibility in student meal options, an online ordering system for pizza deliveries, a wide offering of organic selections and, perhaps most importantly, the incorporation of student feedback at every level. Despite a personal aversion to chicken, he serves it every day in response to student preferences.

“He has consistently excelled in his responsibilities as a leader and decision-maker making him a most respected member of the academic staff,” writes Joe Cooper of University Housing.

B’Ann True Gabelt, Associate Scientist, Department of Opthalmology and Visual Sciences
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research

Gabelt has overseen the operations of the ocular physiology programs in Paul Kaufman’s laboratory since 1982.

She excels in planning and directing research studies and managing research budgets for the lab. Gabelt is known for her in-depth knowledge of the research program and her ability to deftly serve as supervisor, mentor and researcher.

Gabelt is unique in holding her position without an advanced professional degree.

“This reflects her major research leadership role as the hub, the heart and soul of a large internationally renowned research program,” writes Kaufman, professor and department chair. “She has consistently demonstrated extraordinary excellence and initiative in her performance and interactions over a wide variety of responsibilities.”

Henry Huang, Senior Information Processing Consultant, Lab Manager, Memorial Library and Union South
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Service to the University

Since 1993, Huang and his staff have served an average of 500,000 campus users every year. There are numerous challenges involved in keeping current with technology and ensuring access to those resources for the widest audience possible.

Huang, of the Division of Information Technology (DoIT), is known as a talented manager. He encourages staff contributions and develops technology and people skills.

“Henry manages computer labs that are known for exemplary service, facilities and technology for the campus,” writes Alice Anderson of the DoIT Technology Accessibility Program. “More so, he ensures that all users, regardless of age, race, disability or comfort level with technology, feel welcome and are successful in their experience at the computer labs.”

Anne Lambert, Curator of Education, Elvehjem Museum of Art
Robert Heideman Award for Excellence in Public Service

During the last 30 years, Lambert has displayed a steadfast dedication to the museum, university and broader Madison community. She is the longest serving staff member in the history of the museum.

Lambert is responsible for guided tour and educational outreach programs that have attracted an estimated 300,000 guests to the museum during the course of her career. Among her greatest accomplishments are managing the museum’s extensive volunteer program of 80 docents, supporting area educators with high quality preparatory resources, and programming and building cooperative ties and collaborations with university departments.

“Anne’s commitment to educational outreach and the public service mission of the Wisconsin Idea is evident in every aspect of her work,” writes Elvehjem director Russell Panczenko. “I feel truly fortunate to have such an outstanding individual on our museum staff.”

Karen Schwarz, Senior Administrative Program Specialist, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research
Ann Wallace Career Achievement Award

With plans to retire this year, Schwarz will be leaving a void at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research. Since 1986, she has managed duties in payroll and personnel along with oversight of departmental shared services.

Throughout her career, Schwarz has played an active role in governance units, currently serving as vice chair of the Academic Staff Executive Committee, while also working on the Academic Staff Policies and Procedures Committee and serving as a district representative in the academic staff assembly from its inception.

“It has truly been a joy to work with Karen because of her engaging and outgoing personality and enthusiasm,” writes Norman Drinkwater, director for the McArdle Laboratory. “She is a vibrant member of our university community and will be missed upon her retirement.”

Lisa Steinkamp, Program Director, Division of Physical Therapy
Wisconsin Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Leadership

Steinkamp is responsible for both the existence and success of the Physical Therapy Program in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation in the Medical School. Although the program was one of the first in the nation to receive accreditation, it also was threatened several times due to limited resources and difficulties in recruiting and retaining faculty.

Thanks to the efforts of Steinkamp, the program is secure and successful. Upon becoming program director in 1998, she helped engineer funding for three additional faculty positions and significant upgrades to the program’s facilities.

Steinkamp is committed to increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities in the physical therapy field.

“Because of her integrity, vision, skill in motivating people, and commitment to providing educational opportunities and clinical services to the disadvantaged, she is an outstanding leader,” writes associate professor Barbara Morgan.

M. Isabel Tejedor-Anderson, Senior Scientist, Water Science Engineering Laboratory
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research

Tejedor-Anderson has attained a distinguished international reputation for her research in the field of environmental chemistry, along the way advancing the careers of many scientists through her role in their education and training.

During her 25-year career, she has provided critical scientific support to the research mission of the Environmental Chemistry and Technology graduate program. Her specialty and main area of study is investigating the nature of interfacial reactions of hydrous oxides in water.

One of six professional scientists in the program, she frequently is called upon for advice by students, faculty and staff over issues of lab instrumentation and policies.

“Her knowledge of chemistry in general and solid-state analytical chemistry in particular has been invaluable to our program,” writes David Armstrong, professor and director of the Water Science and Engineering lab. “She has often worked long hours and weekends to advance our research.”

Karen Young, Clinical Professor, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine
Chancellor’s Hilldale Award for Excellence in Teaching

Young is widely known as one of the most popular and talented members of the school’s faculty.

Year after year, her peer and student evaluations come back with near-perfect marks and frequently include praise such as: “She should teach other teachers how to teach” and “Best course in the curriculum.” Young was honored with the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award in 1993 and has received numerous honorable mentions and many more nominations.

Her instructional activities are not restricted to the classroom. She excels in training residents in the discipline of clinical pathology.

“Her exceptional teaching skills are recognized not only by her students, but also by her peers who acknowledge her commitment to enhancing the learning environment,” writes Kristen Friedrichs, a clinical instructor in the School of Veterinary Medicine. n