PUBLICATIONS Inside Illinois Vol. 20, No. 17, April 5, 2001

Chancellor honors staff members with 2001 CDSA
Seven employees have been selected to receive the annual Chancellor’s Distinguished Staff Award, which recognizes exceptional performance and service to the UI. Winners were honored at a banquet March 27, where each received $2,000 and a plaque. Recipients’ names also are inscribed on a plaque displayed in the Personnel Services Office.
Permanent staff employees with at least two years of service or retired employees in status appointments can be nominated for the award by staff or faculty members or students. A committee appointed by the chancellor recommends finalists; the campus director of Personnel Services, the vice chancellor for administration and human resources and the chancellor give final approval.
Listings of this year’s finalists and previous years’ winners are available on the Web at www.pso.uiuc.edu/cdsa.

John A. Boyd, computer programmer III, department of psychology

Photo by Bill Wiegand

A three-time nominee for the CDSA, John A. Boyd also won the 1999-2000 College of Liberal Arts and SciencesÕ Staff Award. Boyd is the chief programmer for the psychology department Web pages and serves as the departmentÕs chief consultant. In addition to writing code and testing software, Boyd analyzes program requirements, develops programming strategies and oversees the daily operation of the departmentÕs instructional computer facilities. However, heÕs readily available to assist users when they call upon him. "John is our Ôgo-to guyÕ when we have a problem," wrote professor Fritz Drasgow, who marveled at BoydÕs capability to provide prompt, courteous assistance to so many users. The faculty and staff members who nominated Boyd all praised his unique ability to communicate with users of all skill levels and experience. Nominator Edward J. Shoben, professor and department head, said BoydÕs problem-solving ability and dedication have helped make the department one of the most productive in the country. Moreover, Boyd is an avid learner, seeking out new information and resources applicable to users in his department, then disseminating his findings and recommendations so others can take advantage of new developments and applications. Boyd has written a series of user guides to help the departmentÕs students and faculty and staff members use the computer facilities. BoydÕs ability to solve both the complex problems that frustrate sophisticated users as well as the irritating, yet minor glitches that stump novices has made him a valued team member during his 15 years in the psychology department.

Daniel L. Doolen, chief instructional media systems engineer, Office of Instructional Resources

Photo by Bill Wiegand

"Coach. Guide. Friend." Those are the words nominator Brian McNurlen, coordinator of classroom support and training, used to describe Daniel L. Doolen, who also is his supervisor.
An 11-year employee of the university, Doolen is responsible for directing the installation, implementation, service and support of instructional media in general-assignment classrooms. Doolen also supervises the Division of Engineering Services staff.
Doolen’s extensive knowledge of classroom design, electrical systems and telecommunications has earned him a reputation within the university and with colleagues at other institutions as well, who consult with him on improving their own facilities.
Doolen has been instrumental in helping improve the quality of the UI’s classrooms through innovative design and installation of high-tech components. He has custom-designed and installed media systems for the Illini Center, the Extension Office in Matteson, medical sciences, computer sciences and other departments.
The Technology Information Show Doolen established in 1997 to introduce faculty and staff members to cutting-edge technology has become a successful annual event where manufacturers and vendors showcase their products and exchange ideas with users.
In addition, Doolen stresses self-development for himself and his staff members to keep abreast of industry developments.
"I enjoy working with Dan because he shares my preference for the word ‘we’ rather than ‘I,’ wrote John C. Ory, director of the Office of Instructional Resources. "He is an excellent team member who wants any kudos shared with his staff."

William E. Knight, research laboratory shop supervisor, department of chemistry

Photo by Bill Wiegand

Bill Knight began his career with the UI as a laboratory mechanic in 1985 and four years later accepted his current position of research laboratory shop supervisor.
Knight’s duties include supervising and assigning jobs to the laboratory mechanics in the machine shop, ordering materials and keeping the records.
Knight’s leadership abilities and his innovative design skills have made him a valued resource for students and faculty and staff members alike. His thorough knowledge of the skills and abilities of each of his staff members enables him to match projects and personnel to produce the highest-quality products.
Knight is always looking for new and better ways of doing things, according to nominator Edward E. Runyon, instrument maker. For example, the computerized mill Knight recommended has expanded the department’s capabilities and improved efficiency.
"The presence of Bill Knight in the machine shop of the School of Chemical Sciences has opened the possibility, for me, to do experiments that I did not think possible," wrote Thomas J. Hanratty, professor of chemical engineering.
Knight is always available to help students or faculty who seek him out for assistance with their projects. Although it’s not expected of him, he often produces drawings for those who need help with their designs.
"In honoring Bill Knight," wrote Harry G. Drickamer, professor of chemistry, "you will be honoring the epitome of what makes this place an exceptional one for accomplishing experimental research. I find it difficult to place anyone else in his class."

John P. Kruse, park attendant, Allerton Park and Conference Center, Office of Continuing Education

Photo by Bill Wiegand

John P. Kruse has spent his entire 18-year career with the university as a park attendant at Allerton Park and Conference Center.
Kruse’s responsibilities include maintaining the buildings and landscaping as well as assisting in projects throughout the park, such as sculpture conservation and trail maintenance. Kruse also assists in coordinating the various events the park hosts and might be found setting up equipment or directing traffic.
Coordinating the weddings, concerts and other park events can be demanding and frustrating, yet Kruse seems to handle disruptions and last-minute changes with unwavering patience and good humor, according to his nominators.
"John loves his job and it shows," wrote Kimberlie Kranich, marketing specialist and promotions coordinator at WILL AM-FM-TV. Kranich has worked with Kruse the last three years coordinating Concert in the Park, the classical music concert in the park’s sunken garden.
"I never have to worry about getting the best customer service when John is on my team. Others on campus would be lucky to work with an employee like John," Kranich wrote.
Kruse applies the same care and attention to detail to every job he does, no matter how large or small, according to David B. Bowman, park superintendent. "He is a fine ambassador for the UI," Bowman wrote.

Kathryn A. Painter, secretary IV, Graduate School of Library and Information Science

Photo by Bill Wiegand

During her 18 years with the university, Kathryn Painter has braved many
changes, both personal and professional, serving as an inspiration to those who know her.
As a secretary IV in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Painter’s responsibilities include creating and maintaining the teaching schedules each semester, coordinating facilities and equipment, producing copies of course materials and assisting in preparations for the convocation ceremony.
Painter has so demonstrated her capability and resourcefulness that she moved from assisting in the process to assuming full responsibility for coordinating the school’s annual conferences, which draw participants from around the world.
Her professionalism, flexibility and humor have earned Painter the respect and praises of conference participants, co-workers and students, according to nominator and dean Leigh S. Estabrook.
Painter’s nominators all expressed admiration for her ability to master the technological as well as physical challenges that work and life have thrown at her, including losing an arm in a car accident a few years ago.
"Ms. Painter is clearly a pearl without price," wrote Curt McKay, assistant dean. "Instead of allowing the loss of her arm to signal the end of her career here, she has continued to provide much of the typing service she previously provided and has eagerly learned new skills that make her even more valuable to the school than she already was.

Elizabeth K. Tomlin, secretary IV, department of computer science

Photo by Bill Wiegand

"[Elizabeth K. Tomlin’s] dedication to her work, her caring attitude, her cheerfulness even in times of great stress, and her willingness and ability to sort out bureaucratic problems make her a virtual legend among [computer science] faculty and students," wrote nominator Samuel Kamin, professor and director of undergraduate programs.
As the assistant to the undergraduate program coordinator, Tomlin is a key contact person for undergraduates, helping students with academic problems or issues that arise as they navigate through the university.
In excerpts from their letters accompanying her nomination, graduates of the department talked about the pivotal role Tomlin played in their lives while they were at the UI. In 1998, she was honored with the Dads Day Award, which is based upon student nominations.
Nominator Chad Peiper, visiting lecturer in computer science, recounted how the personal attention and guidance Tomlin gave him as a graduate student, helping him enroll in a coveted undergraduate course that he’d been told was closed to him, has affected his life: "As a result, I eventually completed a master’s degree in computer science, concurrent with my doctoral study in historical musicology. Had it not been for Mrs. Tomlin’s personal attention to my dilemma at that crucial time, none of this would have been possible."
Tomlin’s nominators all praised her ability to develop rapport with co-workers, students, their families and faculty members.
"Kay is a calm and reassuring voice, with a quick smile and a deep knowledge of possible solutions and alternatives. She mends intellectual and emotional skinned knees, dispenses wisdom and moves with a quiet grace that makes even the most worried student and harried professor feel at ease," wrote Daniel A. Reed, Gutgsell professor and department head.

Mary Walle, administrative secretary, department of special education

Photo by Bill Wiegand

Mary Walle joined the UI in 1977 and transferred to the department of special education in November 1979. The entire faculty of the department nominated Walle for the award based upon her unselfish and conscientious professionalism.
Walle is the head secretary for 13 tenure-line and eight non-tenure faculty members in the department, but she also provides support to 20 additional academic professional and clerical staff members and 40-50 graduate assistants at the Children’s Research Center and Colonel Wolfe School. In addition, she is responsible for creating orientation sessions for all incoming graduate and undergraduate students. She also manages the department’s external funding as well as the department, state and ICR budgets.
Walle coordinated an office space and procedural reorganization that resulted in improved organization and efficiency. Walle also was instrumental in developing the department’s "Wall of Fame," designing and creating plaques to honor departmental scholarship recipients and faculty awards.
Her nominators all expressed their admiration for her ability to sustain her high level of performance in a demanding job while battling multiple sclerosis the past few years.
"The way that she is dealing with this dramatic change in her life is inspiring to all of us," her co-workers wrote. "She continues to be indispensable to the smooth functioning and congenial nature of our department."