Olivia Drake#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…
#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,…
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. (more…)
#THISISWHY 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…
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…
#THISISWHY 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 (more…)
#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. O’Neill, area coordinator, was honored for taking the initiative to create a women’s group on…
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…
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…
Lauren RubensteinTwenty-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.
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…
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.”…