Each year the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recognizes a handful of staff members and academic professionals for their outstanding contributions to the college and service to others. These individuals, who were nominated by members of the campus community, demonstrate excellence and enhance the image of the college.
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LAS Academic Professional Award
Corinne Crane, Germanic Languages and Literatures
Elaine Shpungin, Psychology
Jodee Stanley, English
Joan Volkmann, LAS Advancement -
LAS Nancy J. McCowen Distinguished Staff Service Award
Mary Ellen Fryer, School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics LAS Staff Award
Lauri Harden, English
Dana Sue Loschen, Psychology
Dale McBride, Economics
Geraldine Moore, School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics
Academic Professional Award
Corinne Crane, Germanic Languages and Literatures
As director of the Basic Language Program since 2004 and assistant professor in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, Cori Crane has introduced changes that are causing her unit to thrive. Both instruction and the workplace within her department rapidly became more meaningful and vibrant as Cori revamped the placement testing process and restructured the entire program’s curriculum using new texts, audiovisual tools, and online resources. As a result, performance of students enrolled in Germanic languages courses at the U of I has measurably improved. Cori continues to have a positive effect by sharing pedagogical advances with graduate students across campus, as well as language instructors at the high school and college level throughout the state.
Elaine Shpungin, Psychology
In the six years since becoming director of the U of I’s Psychological Services Center (PSC) and adjunct assistant professor in psychology, Elaine Shpungin has significantly improved the service, research, and infrastructure of the PSC. She is instrumental in securing external funding and in creating innovative, supervised service-learning experiences for students. Elaine has worked hard to knock down the “ivory tower” reputation of the University by working closely with community partners to reduce barriers to service, strengthen provider-client relationships and track clients and outcomes. She is recognized both nationally and locally for her work in improving outreach of services to diverse populations, and she continually finds ways to share this insight with her colleagues and students.
Jodee Stanley, English
In 2003, Jodee Stanley left her position as managing editor at New England Review to become the inaugural editor of Ninth Letter, the University of Illinois’ fledgling literary magazine. Seven months later, she had a printed copy in hand that not only showcased its writers and the U of I but also held its own among other nationally distributed literary magazines. The magazine has since won 20 awards. Jodee excels in her role as a bridge between the English department and the School of Art and Design, and this flourishing collaboration has resulted in a publication that attracts attention “far outside the English building,” says a former MFA student. An award-winning writer as well as experienced publisher, Jodee goes beyond her job description in formally teaching these skills to U of I students.
Joan Volkmann, LAS Advancement
Joan Volkmann has built a remarkable career cultivating donors, having a hand in raising over $20 million in gifts and pledges to the University of Illinois. The reason she’s so successful is no secret to those who’ve met her. Taking time with people, learning what’s important to them, and understanding how to help them achieve success and satisfaction is what Joan has always been about. Since becoming the senior director of development operations for the College of LAS in 2007, she has continued to work with alumni and friends to sustain the University, but Joan’s real gift to the campus community is the motivational leadership and thoughtful mentorship she provides to both colleagues and students.
Nancy J. McCowen Distinguished Service Award
Mary Ellen Fryer, School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics
Throughout Mary Ellen Fryer’s career at the University of Illinois, she has exhibited “stellar competence and deep personal investment,” in the words of her nominator. From 1981 until 2006 she worked as secretary for the Department of Classics; since then she has been office administrator for Graduate Student Services in the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics, where her workload increased considerably with the consolidation of 13 language and literature programs into one office. Mary Ellen’s understanding of norms and best practices across the school made her invaluable in navigating the changes and quickly putting into place an effective administrative office where she tactfully and creatively supports the faculty, staff, and students.
LAS Staff Award
Lauri Harden, English
This is Lauri Harden’s second time being recognized with the LAS Staff Award in the 21 years she has served the University, but her longevity and competence make her indubitably qualified. Lauri, the office manager and supervisor for the Department of English’s Undergraduate Studies Office, has earned the nickname “Chess Lady” for her finesse in coordinating hiring and staffing for more than 600 class sections annually. She is continually learning and mastering more skills that make her “indispensable”—a word used repeatedly by colleagues to describe her. She moves fluidly between interactions with students, parents, faculty, and staff— all of whom have a better experience at the U of I because of Lauri.
Dana Loschen, Psychology
Beyond her smile and kind, unassuming manner, Dana Loschen, receptionist for the Department of Psychology at the U of I since 1995, possesses a deep well of knowledge about the department. She is integral in its day-to-day functioning serving more than 300 people—answering phones, directing students, handling correspondence—and all the other seemingly small tasks that, together, become a feat for any one individual to handle, much less to perform with the utmost competency and aplomb. Dana voluntarily assumes duties outside of her job description that are tedious but important for identifying areas for improvement. As a result, the entire department looks—and operates—better.
Dale McBride, Economics
One might expect the business manager in the Department of Economics to be a meticulous accountant who can oversee a complex budget and make successful forecasts in a very dynamic climate. To do so with the “cheerful countenance and permanent goodwill” that Dale McBride’s nominator describes is a sign of a man fulfilling his calling. Dale has recently overseen his office’s move to a new location on campus. He’s become thoroughly familiar with I-Buy and Banner. Most importantly, since beginning his position with the department in 2006, Dale has been the key agent in transforming the business operations unit into an office that is a model of dedication and efficiency.
Geraldine Moore, School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics
Bright spots shine from various offices around campus, and one certainly does from the fourth floor of the Foreign Languages Building, where receptionist Geraldine Moore is the public face and voice of the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics. For 25 years, Geraldine has honed her professional skills working in office support positions for the University. She consistently provides personable, reliable service to both those who work in and those who visit her office, cementing a favorable lasting impression. Geraldine has proved herself exceptional at dealing with change and easing others’ way through change, too—these are just some of the strengths that prompt her department head to call Geraldine “the ideal receptionist.”
