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.
-
LAS Academic Professional Award
Scott Morris, Earth, Society and Environment
Elizabeth Morley, Center for Writing Studies
Amy Elli, LAS Administration -
LAS Nancy J. McCowen Distinguished Staff Service Award
Lori Hendricks, Psychology -
LAS Staff Award
Rhonda Kissling, Intensive English Institute
Patricia O’Bryan, LAS Advancement
Carla Vail, Philosophy
Academic Professional Award
Scott Morris, Earth, Society and Environment
Faculty, staff, and students describe Scott Morris as “truly one or our best.” Scott’s remarkable leadership and vision has been a vital asset to the School of Earth, Society and Environment. Serving as the associate director of operations, Scott employed exceptional organizational skills developing two plans that transformed the school: one, a comprehensive business model to manage grants, contracts, and purchases; and, two, an operations plan that streamlined the organization resulting in greater efficiency. In the summer of 2010, his strong managerial skills led to the smooth relocation of the school, after their building was declared structurally unsound. He executed the move flawlessly and on schedule all the while developing a spirit of cooperation. Scott’s honesty, integrity, and problem-solving abilities are truly the finest.
Elizabeth Morley, Center for Writing Studies
Elizabeth Morley, an admirable leader with incredible energy, has gone beyond the mission of the Writer’s Workshop by creating new opportunities for University students. Deeply committed to equipping students with strong communication and writing skills, Elizabeth initiated a successful undergraduate peer tutoring program, increased the participation of students whose English is their second language by 40 percent, improved the training program for teaching assistants, and coordinated over 5,000 student consultations in 2010. Elizabeth, an innovator and motivator, has been excellent at building rapport and collaborations across campus. Due to her effective directorship, the Center for Writing Studies has grown and thrived. As noted by a colleague, “her contributions are nothing short of outstanding—in manner, intent, and impact.”
Amy Elli, LAS Administration
Colleagues of Amy Elli fondly call her “Superwoman.” Amy is one of those rare and coveted individuals who is a combination of dedication, extreme competency, and efficiency all packaged in one. Amy serves the College of LAS in multiple ways supporting course development, curricular revisions, affirmative action, and successful hiring processes. She plays an integral role in staffing and managing college committees. Academic and administrative units depend upon Amy’s thorough and meticulous work to guide them through complicated and challenging policy interpretations and changes. The depth of what Amy accomplishes day in and day out, and always with a cheerful attitude, is inspiring. Amy is a talented and loyal employee who helps maintain the successful inner-workings of the college.
Nancy J. McCowen Distinguished Service Award
Lori Hendricks, Psychology
This is Lori Hendricks’ second time being recognized by the college for her outstanding service, having received the LAS Staff Award in 1999. Her dedication, competence, and generosity make her unquestionably qualified for the Nancy McCowen Distinguished Service Award. Lori is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Department of Psychology’s graduate program. She performs her duties with passion and enthusiasm maintaining over 200 graduate student records, administering admissions and acceptance procedures, implementing policy decisions, and responding to all queries regarding graduate studies. She is exceedingly generous with her time and expertise and devoted to the students. A faculty member describes Lori as “a Goddess who blesses us daily with her kindness, compassion, wisdom, and expert guidance.”
LAS Staff Award
Rhonda Kissling, Intensive English Institute
The Intensive English Institute (IEI) treasures their jewel, Rhonda Kissling. Like a jewel, Rhonda shines in her role as office manager. Rhonda is an immense asset to the IEI due to her generous and positive attitude, her supportive nature, and her excellent performance of duties. Her strong organizational skills and attention to detail are not only exemplary but also essential to the smooth operations of the institute. Rhonda plays an important role as the University’s face abroad, representing the IEI and the University of Illinois to people from all over the world. Rhonda is a perfect representative because of her welcoming style, knowledge, helpfulness, and cultural sensitivity. Rhonda’s talents truly enhance the experiences of the University’s international students.
Patricia O’Bryan, LAS Advancement
Patti O’Bryan is known by her colleagues not only as being dedicated to the mission of the office but also as being an indispensable member of their team. Serving as office administrator, Patti competently manages office operations while demonstrating excellent judgment, professionalism, patience, and integrity. She possesses a calm-supportive nature and meets every challenge with diplomacy and sensibility. She shows compassion to others and creates an environment of cooperation. She is incredibly knowledgeable and known as the “go-to person.” Her work ethic is exemplary, often well beyond expectations. Patti continually seeks ways to add value to the advancement team’s work. Through the years, a consistent comment from her supervisors has been “I could not possibly ask for more.”
Carla Vail, Philosophy
Carla Vail can be described in the Department of Philosophy as the “glue that holds them together.” As the administrative assistant to the department head, Carla positively impacts the department’s everyday workings because of her competencies and knowledge. Faculty and students alike depend upon Carla for guidance, which she provides meticulously and expertly. She approaches her job with professionalism, creativity, sensitivity, and directedness. For many years, she has flawlessly managed the logistics of the longest-running student philosophy conference in the nation all while performing her other administrative duties. A faculty member described Carla as “one of the calmest, most organized, most dynamic staff members I have had the pleasure to work with in my 45 years.”
