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News from PRINCETON UNIVERSITY For immediate release: Feb. 27, 2002 Contact: Marilyn Marks, 609-258-3601 or mmarks@princeton.edu Employees honored for dedication and servicePRINCETON, N.J. -- Six University staff members were recognized for their exceptional performance during the annual Service Recognition Luncheon Feb. 25 at the Frist Campus Center. Those honored as recipients of the 2001 President's Achievement Award were: Donald Albury, manager of media services in the Office of Information Technology; Hattie Black, secretary in the Program in African-American Studies; Tom Geherty, maintenance and service assistant in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs; Pat Heslin, administrator for Rockefeller College; Rich Volz, paint shop supervisor in grounds and building maintenance; and Carol Zanca, department manager in anthropology. The award was established in 1997 to recognize members of the support and administrative staff with seven or more years of service whose dedication, excellent work and special efforts have contributed significantly to the success of their departments and the University. The winners receive a $2,000 cash award and have their names inscribed on a plaque that is displayed in the Office of Human Resources. The President's Achievement Awards are part of the University's Staff Recognition Program administered by the Office of Human Resources. Staff members with 10, 15 and 20 years of service received a certificate during the luncheon. Those with 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years of service were presented with commemorative gifts. A total of 334 University staff members with a collective 6,035 years of service were honored for their dedication this year. "I am enormously grateful for all of your many contributions to Princeton," President Tilghman told those gathered at the luncheon. "I had an opportunity to work with many of you over the years as a member of the faculty, and I deeply appreciated all the ways in which you provided support for me and my colleagues and students. As president I have been even more impressed with the remarkable quality and dedication of staff members throughout the University, and I want you to know that your creativity and your commitment play a critical role in making Princeton such a wonderful place to live, to learn and to work." Nominations for the President's Achievement Award are made by managers and their vice presidents or deans. A committee representing a cross-section of the University staff reviews the nominations and selects the winners. Donald Albury In addition to receiving the President's Achievement Award, Albury was recognized during the luncheon for his 15 years of service at the University. Those with whom he has worked described him as "utterly reliable," a "true problem-solver," "refreshingly patient" and a "whiz with equipment." One said that he comes up with "creative solutions to challenging problems, and he does so with grace and good cheer, and an unfaltering dedication to customer service." One faculty member marveled that Albury and his staff are able to provide media services from dawn to midnight, and sometimes longer, making courses and events into artistic successes, coaxing performance out of delicate and complex equipment, and constantly fielding trouble-shooting calls, frequently from faculty. Another faculty member called Albury "an incredibly gifted teacher, helping techno-novices like myself become not only comfortable with but adept at using increasingly complicated machinery…. What he has helped me discover is now indispensable to my teaching." Hattie Black Black, who also was honored at the luncheon for 50 years of service to the University, was characterized by those with whom she works as "a model employee" -- thoroughly committed to excellence and to advancing the University's mission. One said she "approaches her tasks with enthusiasm and never seems to be overwhelmed by the numerous demands that are placed upon her on a daily basis." Her commitment to her work is unswerving, and her advice and counsel are always judicious, her co-workers said. One colleague noted that she also has a gift for balancing professional acumen with personal interaction and concern in proportions that are sufficient to ease difficult situations and provide relief from the exhaustion and emotional stress that can afflict students, faculty and staff. It is not uncommon for alumni who concentrated in African-American studies to seek Black out when they return to campus. For many students, one faculty member said, she was the "friendly face of community" and "they (as well as we who work with her) deeply appreciate her humanity." Tom Geherty Geherty also celebrated his 15th service anniversary at the luncheon. He was recognized for his dedication, dependability, resourcefulness and friendliness. He is responsible for a variety of tasks in the Woodrow Wilson School, from setting up audiovisual equipment and distributing mail to moving furniture and cleaning up after events. His colleagues said that there is no job too big or too small for him to tackle. Geherty's attention to detail is legendary. He arrives early, stays late and comes in on weekends just to check up on things. His colleagues said he leaves nothing to chance. One of his supervisors observed that "the care he takes and the perfectionism he shows elevate his duties to an art form." Those with whom he works described several situations where Geherty "saved the day," tracking down missing cables, quickly locating backup equipment and even completing the set-up of a tent. He has been described as "the epitome of a team player. He never seeks the limelight," his colleagues said. "His goal is to make the rest of us look good." Pat Heslin Co-workers said that Heslin "shines in everything she does." She is responsible for overseeing Rockefeller's financial records, for coordinating arrangements for college-sponsored activities, for working with the student-elected College Council and with the resident advisers and minority affairs advisers, and for making sure that the 400 students in the college are housed, fed, entertained and, when necessary, comforted. Whatever the issues, her colleagues said, Heslin seems to find the right words and the helpful solution. Heslin often is called upon by others outside the college when they need wisdom and judgment. In searches for new administrators in other colleges, for example, she is often asked to interview candidates, participate in making the selection and help acquaint the newcomer to the ins and outs of the job. Students in Rockefeller described her as a teacher, an empathetic listener and the "glue" that cements relationships. In a word, they said, Heslin means "home." Her colleagues pointed out that she is generous and vocal in acknowledging the good work of others, and they strongly recommended that the University publicly acknowledge her superior performance in return. Rich Volz Volz supervises a diverse group of 32 painters who, according to their clients, consistently provide excellent service. One of his supervisors wrote, "I am always receiving notes of thanks and commendation for the work they do. If ever there was an organization that reflected the attitude of the supervisor, this is it. The paint shop is a great group of people led by a sensitive, caring and motivated graduate from their ranks." Volz has created work schedules that concentrate all his staff (and many contractors and temps during peak periods) on the most important needs. Through skillful scheduling, he has made it possible to get to areas long in need of painting but formerly never included, according to one supervisor. He also has created a spray booth operation through which the shop refurbishes hundreds of wood furniture pieces each year, saving many customers the expense of new products or the dissatisfaction of a product in poor condition. In addition to the paint shop's quality and professionalism, facilities managers and construction managers commended its flexibility and cooperation, and customers praised its attentiveness to their needs. Carol Zanca Zanca handles a wide range of tasks in the Department of Anthropology, from tending to the relocation and socialization of new faculty members to developing programs to overseeing the budget. "With great professional conviction and personal flair," one faculty member said, "Carol Zanca makes anthropology at Princeton happen. It is our department's good fortune that she seems to derive gratification from endless tasks." Faculty who have joined the department have remarked on how critical Zanca's insight was as they made their decisions, and the department's success in attracting graduate students "stems directly from personable treatment extended to prospective students by Carol during their campus visits," a colleague said. Zanca also has been an exemplary University citizen,
serving in leadership roles on the Administrative Process Team Council,
the Academic Managers Group, the Standing Committee on the Status of
Women and many other organizations. After noting that Zanca has excelled
in all of her many tasks, one faculty member added, "there is a contribution
of even greater value that is at once inchoate and as tangible as a
diamond: It comes in setting a tone of candor and compassion through
which everyone you touch feels compelled to be the best person they
can be." Another member of the faculty said, "I have taught for 29 years
at three universities, and I have never known anyone with Carol Zanca's
dedication, commitment and talent. She is a treasure." |
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