Tag Archive for human resources

Opalacz, LaPlant Honored with Cardinal Achievement Awards

by  • 

#THISISWHY

Jennifer Opalacz, assistant director of alumni and parent relations, was recently presented with a Cardinal Achievement Award for her efforts in taking on greater responsibility for several high-profile, time sensitive projects that were critical to the success of the University Relations team. Opalacz also stepped up to take on additional project ownership for a team member who was out on leave.

“Jen is among the most conscientious, organized, and upbeat individuals with whom I’ve worked. She is well deserving of a Cardinal Achievement Award,” said Thomas Diascro, director of alumni and parent relations.

Lisa LaPlant, assistant to the president, was recently presented with a Cardinal Achievement Award for her initiative in coordinating the efforts of several individuals who were working independently on the Sasaki project into a cohesive group, which resulted in an extremely well organized and successful event on campus.

It took extraordinary effort to coordinate this event over a ten-day period. She pulled together all of the Sasaki meetings including a luncheon for more than 100 staff, faculty and students with talks by President Michael Roth and Sasaki principals. The luncheon was followed by workshops with six different groups focusing on particular questions. She coordinated meetings the next morning with Trustees and again at the formal meeting of the Board.

“She not only pulled all of this together and was there overseeing everything, she did it all at the second busiest time of the year – the winter meeting of the Board, on which she worked tirelessly,” said Charles Salas, director of strategic initiatives.

This special honor comes with a $250 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for those extra efforts. Award recipients are nominated by department chairs and supervisors.

Nominations can be made anytime throughout the year. For more information or to nominate a staff member for the award, visit the Cardinal Achievement Award website. Recipients will continue to be recognized in News @ Wesleyan. See past Cardinal Achievement Award recipients here.

Cummings, McQueeney Honored with Cardinal Achievement Awards

by  • 

#THISISWHY

Linda Cummings, administrative assistant in the Sociology Department and for the Public Affairs Center, was recently presented with a Cardinal Achievement Award for her efforts in taking on the responsibility of cleaning the PAC basement storage rooms. These large rooms were so full of old furniture, papers, books and assorted other items that it was almost impossible to enter them. Cummings worked with Physical Plant to arrange for multiple rounds of removal of usable furniture, assisted current and emerti faculty with review of their stored materials, arranged with the university archivist to remove historical files of interest to the university, and arranged with the shredding contractor to make special pickups of sensitive material. This process took four months to complete.

“We now have clean usable storage space for short-term and medium-term faculty projects. This was a challenging and complicated special project, and Linda took initiative at numerous points to make sure the process moved forward. In addition, she was always cheerful and helpful during the process,” said Joyce Jacobsen, the Andrews Professor of Economics and dean of the Social Sciences and director of global initiatives.

Kris McQueeney, administrative assistant in the Government Department, was recently presented with a Cardinal Achievement Award for assisting three professors with a complicated office move. McQueeney took it upon herself to reconfigure the office space to accommodate three workstations in one office which included space for storing the books and papers for each of the professors. She worked out how to reconfigure the phones and computer lines and drew up a careful floor plan so as to be able to fit all three into one space.

“Thanks to Kris’s careful management of the process, the move was completed in a timely manner,” Jacobsen said.

McQueeney also monitored the storage space situation in the PAC basement areas that the Government Department had traditionally controlled, and took good advantage of the larger basement cleaning project this fall so as to clear out excess furniture in these rooms as well.

“Kris is always hardworking and efficient and I appreciate her willingness to pitch in and take responsibility to make sure challenging projects that require much coordination are completed on schedule,” Jacobsen said.

This special honor comes with a $250 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for those extra efforts. Award recipients are nominated by department chairs and supervisors.

Nominations can be made anytime throughout the year. For more information or to nominate a staff member for the award, visit the Cardinal Achievement Award website. Recipients will continue to be recognized in News @ Wesleyan. See past Cardinal Achievement Award recipients here.

Staff on the Move January 2015

by  • 

The Office of Human Resources announces the following new hires, transitions and departures for January 2015:

Newly hired

Christopher Chenier was hired as a digital design technician in the Art and Art History Department on Jan. 5.

Rebecca Foster was hired as the technical director and production manager of theater/manager of ’92 Theater in the Theater Department on Jan. 5.

Read more →

Hurteau Earns Cardinal Achievement Award for Planning Library Project

by  • 

#THISISWHY

Linda Hurteau

Linda Hurteau

Linda Hurteau, library assistant, was recently presented with a Cardinal Achievement Award for her work in anticipation of moving the Art Library collections into Olin Library. Hurteau created a plan to make space for and integrate transferred books from Olin Library into the Science Library.

She planned the project, supervised student employees to do a major shift of the Science Library’s monographic collection, and had the space allocated and ready when professional movers relocated the books. The planning work that Linda did resulted in significant savings to the library and the university. Hurteau also planned and initiated a project to create a separate oversize book area. The oversize shelves will help to preserve these materials by reducing the costs associated with rebinding books that are damaged by shelving them on edge or torqued when squeezed onto shelves of inadequate height or depth.

Lastly, Hurteau also undertook a project to integrate seven separate small collections into one when it became apparent that users were having difficulty locating individual items.

“Linda’s proactive approach to cost-savings and dedication to customer service deserve recognition. She is always looking for ways to improve the Science Library and the services we offer,” said Melissa Behney, science librarian.

This special honor comes with a $250 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for those extra efforts. Award recipients are nominated by department chairs and supervisors.

Nominations can be made anytime throughout the year. For more information or to nominate a staff member for the award, visit the Cardinal Achievement Award website. Recipients will continue to be recognized in News @ Wesleyan. See past Cardinal Achievement Award recipients here.

Staff on the Move, November, December 2014

by  • 

The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires, transitions and departures for November and December 2014:

Newly hired
David Shimomura was hired as a program coordinator in the Center for the Arts on Nov. 3.

Fernando Vargas-Lara was hired as a post doctoral research associate in the Physics Department on Nov. 3.

Jayana Mitchell was hired as an accounting specialist in the Chemistry Department on Nov. 10.

Angela Wong was hired as a project manager in Physical Plant-Facilities on Dec. 1.

Jessie Cohen was hired as an archaeological collections manager in the Office of Academic Affairs on Dec. 1

Alexander Chremos was hired as a post-doctoral research associate in the Physics Department on Dec. 1.

Armando Ortiz was hired as a public safety officer in the Office of Public Safety on Dec. 8.

Transitions
Joan Chiari was hired as an administrative assistant in the Office of Student Affairs/Deans’ Office.

Departures
Meg O’Brien, associate director of financial planning
Juliana Shortell, archaeological collections manager
Vinnie Agosta, desktop support specialist
Caitlyn DeClement, office assistant
William Fisher, manager of online and video communications
Mardi Hanson-d’Alessandro, library assistant
Beverly Hunter-Daniel, director of Upward Bound Math-Science and Collaborative Programs
Steven Farthing, social network web developer

Fedolfi, Kini, Kaufman Receive Cardinal Achievement Awards

by  • 

#THISISWHY

Charles Fedolfi '90

Charles Fedolfi ’90

The Office of Human Resources presented three Cardinal Achievement Awards to University Relations staff in December 2014.

Charles “Chuck” Fedolfi ’90, director of annual giving, was honored for his work on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, when the Wesleyan community joined together in an unprecedented show of support for students.  Led by Fedolfi, a team of colleagues and volunteers inspired alumni, parents, faculty and staff to make 2,059 gifts totaling over $500,000 – far exceeding the original goal of 1,000 gifts

Read more →

Gambell, O’Neill Receive Cardinal Achievement Awards

by  • 

#THISISWHY

Lynne Gambell of the Finance Department and Krystal Gayle O’Neill of Residential Life each received a Cardinal Achievement Award in November.

Gambell, accounting specialist provided assistance to the Physical Plant-Facilities Department by processing more than 100 vouchers in one day. If the vouchers were not processed on time there were concerns that it would negatively impact Wesleyan’s local contractors.

“Lynne demonstrated extraordinary initiative in helping Wesleyan ensure that our contractors were paid in a timely fashion,” said Joyce Topshe, associate vice president for facilities.

Krystal Gayle O’Neill

Krystal Gayle O’Neill

O’Neill, area coordinator, was honored for taking the initiative to create a women’s group on campus. The women’s group has sponsored a number of events over the past several months, including two book club discussions, workshops on self-defense and on investing, as well as “meet and greet” lunches at local restaurants.

“Krystal has created a forum for women at Wesleyan to come together as a community of support and resources,” said Marina Melendez, dean for the Class of 2018.

“She selflessly has given of her time and energy so that we may all benefit, not only through personal and professional development, but also through forming connections with other women at Wesleyan,” said Fran Koerting, director of the Office of Residential Life.

This special honor comes with a $250 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for those extra efforts. Award recipients are nominated by department chairs and supervisors. Nominations can be made anytime throughout the year. For more information or to nominate a staff member for the award, visit the Cardinal Achievement Award website.

Recipients will continue to be recognized in News @ Wesleyan.

See past Cardinal Achievement Award recipients here.

Staff on the Move, October 2014

by  • 

The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires, transitions and departures for October 2014:

Newly hired
Samantha O’Neill was hired as marketing and outreach coordinator in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program Office on Oct. 1.
Scott Rohde was hired as director of public safety in the Office of Public Safety on Oct. 1.
Anya Backlund was hired as exhibitions coordinator/institute for curatorial practice in performance coordinator in the Center for the Arts on Oct. 6.
Jonathan Farrar was hired as senior investment associate in the Investment Office on Oct.14.
Roney Thomas was hired as post doctoral research associate in the Physics Department on Oct. 20.
Ruthann Coyote was hired as pre-professional career advisor in the Wesleyan Career Center on Oct. 27.

Transitions
Morain Miller was hired as library assistant V/serials in Olin Library on Oct. 6.
Robert Borman was hired as grounds manager in the Physical Plant—Facilities Department on Oct. 20.

Departures
Elizabeth Dagnall, assistant, Graduate Liberal Studies Program Office.
Kathleen Norris, assistant to the dean of admission and financial aid, Office of Admission.
Sean Martin, senior associate director, Office of Financial Aid.
Katherine Carlisle, manager of media relations and public relations in the Office of Communications.
Gretchen LaBonte, assistant director, student activities and leadership, in the Office of Student Affairs.

Backer, Culliton, Quinones Honored with Cardinal Achievement Awards

by  • 

Scott Backer

Scott Backer

Rick Culliton

Rick Culliton

Scott Backer, associate dean of students, and Rick Culliton, assistant vice president/dean of students, received a Cardinal Achievement Award in October for completing the federally mandated campus crime (Clery) report for the past two years. This special honor comes with a $250 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for those extra efforts.

They completely revised and updated the report from previous years and incorporated additional edits to ensure the data in the report was accurate. This involved collaborating with various offices on campus. They took on this responsibility in the absence of the Public Safety Director who is typically responsible for coordinating the report.

Maritza “Cookie” Quinones

Maritza “Cookie” Quinones

In addition, Maritza “Cookie” Quinones, After School supervisor at the Green Street Arts Center, received a Cardinal Achievement Award in November for her “selfless giving and community-minded approach to assisting families during their experience at the GSAC and beyond,” explained Sara MacSorley, director of the Green Street Arts Center and PIMMS. Quinones makes thoughtful phone calls to parents regarding their children’s progress and behavior in the program. She makes a point to invite and to escort Middletown families to arts and cultural events at the Center for the Arts.

“Cookie tirelessly works to ‘make it happen’ for the community,” MacSorley said.

Award recipients are nominated by department chairs and supervisors. Nominations can be made anytime throughout the year. For more information or to nominate a staff member for the award, visit the Cardinal Achievement Award website.

Recipients will continue to be recognized in News@Wesleyan.

See past Cardinal Achievement Award recipients here.

#THISISWHY

21 Employees Honored at Recognition Luncheon

by  • 

Twenty-one Wesleyan employees were honored by President Michael Roth at the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon on Oct. 16 in Beckham Hall. All the individuals have worked at Wesleyan for at least 20 years.
This year, the employees honored included: Judith Goodale, Linda Shettleworth, Susan Lastrina, Jeffrey Gilarde, Alice Scholar, Cynthia Rockwell, Robert Lancefield, Joel LaBella, Rosanna Pandolfo, Barbara Schukoske, Benjiman Jackson, Gail Winter, Pearlina Jackson, Joan Schenker, Robert Weber, Nicola David, Ernesto Marino, Michael Patterson, Tony Bostick, Sergei Bunaev and Angela Morgan.
The event was sponsored by the Office of Human Resources.

 

Staff on the Move, September 2014

by  • 

The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires and departures for September 2014:

Newly hired
Janani Iyer was hired as a research assistant/lab coordinator in the Psychology Department on Sept. 2.
Ilona Bass was hired as a research assistant/lab coordinator in the Psychology Department on Sept. 2.
Paul Wilson Cauley was hired as a researcher in the Astronomy Department on Sept. 8.
Franklin Huynh was hired as a senior budget analyst in the Office of Financial Planning on Sept. 15.
Michael Schramm was hired as assistant director of the Wesleyan Fund on Sept. 15.
Luigi Solla was hired an associate director of admission for the Office of Admission on Sept. 22.

Transitions
Thomas Diascro was hired as director of alumni and parent relations for University Relations on Sept. 8.

Departures
Rani Arbo, fellow in the College of the Environment.
Christopher Andrews, senior budget analyst in the Office of Financial Planning.
Linnea Benton, library assistant in Olin Library.
Edward Chiburis, facility and events manager for Memorial Chapel/ ’92 Theater.

Pandolfo Honored with Cardinal Achievement Award

by  • 

Rose Pandolfo, staff accountant for grant administration in the Finance Office received a Cardinal Achievement Award for her work in providing critical information in solving a complex problem with a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

This special honor comes with a $150 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for those extra efforts. The award recipients are nominated by department chairs and supervisors. Nominations can be made anytime throughout the year.

For more information or to nominate a staff member for the award, visit the Human Resources website and scroll down to Cardinal Achievement Award under “Forms.”

#THISISWHY