Princeton University

Princeton Weekly Bulletin April 2, 2007, Vol. 96, No. 21 prev next current

People
• Employees honored for dedication and service
• Spotlight, Staff retirements, Staff obituaries

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Editor: Ruth Stevens
Calendar editor: Shani Hilton
Staff writers: Jennifer Greenstein Altmann, Eric Quiñones
Contributing writers: Cass Cliatt, Karin Dienst
Photographers: Denise Applewhite, John Jameson
Design: Maggie Westergaard
Web edition: Mahlon Lovett

Employees honored for dedication and service

Princeton NJ — Five University staff members were recognized for their exceptional performance during the annual Service Recognition Luncheon March 28 at Jadwin Gymnasium.

Those honored as recipients of the 2006 President’s Achievement Award were: Laurel Cantor, director of publications in the Office of Communications; Teddy Christie, maintenance assistant foreman at the Frist Campus Center; Kris Miller, senior systems manager in the Office of the Dean of the Faculty; Betty Stein, administrator of Butler College; and Bob Talarick, supervisor of the HVAC controls shop in grounds and building maintenance.

President Tilghman (third from left) congratulated the winners of the President’s Achievement Award (from left): Kris Miller, Teddy Christie, Betty Stein, Laurel Cantor and Bob Talarick. (photo: Denise Applewhite)

The award was established in 1997 to recognize members of the support and administrative staff with five 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 framed certificate and a $2,000 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, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service were presented with a certificate during the luncheon; those with 25 or more years of service also received commemorative gifts. A total of 323 University staff members with a collective 6,315 years of service were honored for their dedication this year (see “By the numbers” in this issue).

In introducing the award winners at the luncheon, President Tilghman said she was pleased to recognize the five, whose dedication, collegiality and creativity have won the respect and admiration of their fellow employees.

Cantor, who joined the staff in 1982, has used her creative talents to help shape the image of the University. Whether designing a poster for Opening Exercises, a scrapbook for a retiring trustee or a logo for a student organization, she has demonstrated not only her originality but also her sensitivity to the wishes of her clients.

“Laurel always paints the extra stroke and walks the longest mile to ensure Princeton is accessible to each of its communities. She does so with grace, humility, compassion, verve and unparalleled dedication,” wrote Lauren Robinson-Brown, director of communications, in her nomination. She also cited Cantor for her inspirational work with others, both on her own staff and on many committees at the University and in the community.

Christie, who has worked at Frist since it opened in 2000, is known for his dedication to meeting clients’ needs, whether it’s spending additional time to make sure a lengthy and complicated room setup is completed correctly or volunteering for an overnight shift so that the building can be open 24 hours during exams.

As his supervisor, Craig Morris, put it, “Teddy is special because of the way he treats people. ... His approach to dealing with clients and colleagues is consistently the same — always providing the best customer service possible, and treating each person with dignity and respect.” Christie also serves his colleagues as a member of the Council of the Princeton University Community.

Miller, a Princeton staff member since 1980, has the challenging task of ensuring that data relating to the University’s faculty and professional researchers, specialists and librarians are accurate, accessible and complete. She is considered a knowledgeable, creative problem-solver and a valued partner in University-wide endeavors to improve data management systems.

“She has earned the respect and support of her colleagues throughout the University community and maintained the highest and most professional work standards for the entire length of her service to the University,” wrote Dean of the Faculty David Dobkin in his nomination. “She can truly be called one of the best ‘go to’ people who make this great University function as well as it does.”

Stein has been at Princeton since 1987 and the Butler College administrator for the past eight years. She was recognized for making the residential college experience more fulfilling for thousands of students over the years. She also is considered a pillar of strength for Butler’s master, deans and other staff, as well as a critical point of contact for University departments and the community at large.

“I truly count on Betty in so many ways big and small, and I know that once a task is in Betty’s hand it will get done with extreme professionalism,” wrote Sanjeev Kulkarni, master of Butler college and professor of electrical engineering, in his nomination. “She is a delight to have in the office, the students absolutely adore her, and colleagues across the University find her a terrifically pleasant person to interact with.”

Talarick, who has worked at Princeton since 1984, oversees the maintenance and repair of the temperature control systems in more than 100 buildings, including some 30,000 control points. He has mastered a variety of systems and has kept abreast of changing technology, making him a valued resource for his colleagues in the offices of design and construction and engineering. He also has stressed the importance of upgrading the skills of his crew and optimizing their performance on a daily basis.

“Bob has done a remarkable job in both ensuring the comfort level for our campus spaces and maintaining specific environmental needs for areas such as laboratories,” wrote Bill Traubel, director of maintenance, in his nomination. “Bob has done this while successfully upgrading his shop’s skill level to keep pace with technology changes, which are much more challenging than other trade groups where knowledge and techniques remain relatively constant.”

See related article in this issue

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