Ann Beattie
Ann Beattie is the manager of Payroll Services and plays a key role in implementing the payroll aspect of PeopleSoft and subsequent upgrades. In addition to her responsibilities as payroll manager, for fifteen years she has played a major role in the success of the University of Minnesota's Community Fund Drive (CFD). This year, she was responsible for the management of collecting and reporting contributions of over $1 million dollars. She was instrumental in developing the first time ever e-donation form for the CFD Web site as well as creating new processes and streamlining existing systems. The e-donation proved to be very important to the campaign's success. She has also played a pivotal role in volunteer training over the past fifteen years. One person wrote, “I can think of no person more deserving of the President's Award for Outstanding Service - the award would seem to have been designed for Ann. The best part would be that she is the kind of person who does not extend herself for the recognition of an award but simply to be helpful.”
Lance Brockman
Lance Brockman is a professor in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. During his tenure at the University of Minnesota, he was a member of the Senate Committee on Faculty Affairs, CLA Advisory Committee for the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, CLA Assembly, Council of Chairs, College Executive Committee, the Budget Advisory Committee and served as chair of the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. Under his leadership as department chair, funding for the Barbara Barker Dance Center was completed, and the Dance Program grew into one of the top four programs in the nation. He was instrumental in the University's collaboration with the Guthrie Theatre, the success of the Minnesota Centennial Showboat project, and the creation of the West Bank Arts Quarter. He also helped CLA partner with “Project Success” - a program that brings Minneapolis high school students to campus and theatre. He is nationally renowned for his artistic work and scholarly research. His research and passion for historical design has inspired thousands, including his students who come to the University to study with him. One person wrote, “In addition to his daily activities as teacher, administrator, fundraiser, scholar and artist, he is a great leader and motivator of people. I think his greatest gift is not only that he contributes greatly to the University in these roles, but he inspires and motivates others to do so as well.”
M. Janice Hogan
M. Janice Hogan is a professor in the Department of Family Social Science. Over the course of her tenure at the University of Minnesota, she has made a tremendous impact in several areas. She has been a teacher and an administrator, having served as department head on two occasions and as associate dean in the College of Human Ecology. Her scholarly work is recognized nationally and internationally. More recently, as she began a phased retirement, she made the decision to increase her teaching load to help the department financially. In addition, she established a fellowship for graduate students and developed a new Web-based course, currently the only one in the department. Her service to the broader University is extensive. She has served on approximately 40 university committees and about 20 committees at the college and department level. She has a reputation for being a strong advocate for women and the less fortunate, both on campus and in the community. She has been an advocate and mentor for minority, international students, and other students who needed guidance. Her contributions to professional organizations are far reaching. For example, she served as the National Council on Family Relations President and is known throughout the world for her contributions to the International Home Economics Federation and American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She is described as “one of the University's premier citizens who contributes in many ways to serve our community well.”
Thomas B. McRoberts
Thomas B. McRoberts currently is the associate director for Continuing Education and the director of the Center for International Programs at the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM). He is a 1968 graduate from UMM and has dedicated his entire career to the University of Minnesota and what he believes is the University's most fundamental and public goal - preparing students to succeed. He is described as the “figurative founding father of international programs and study abroad at UMM.” And, under his leadership, Morris has become one of the leaders in Minnesota higher education with students of color comprising 14% of the total student population. Additionally, he is committed to access and outreach to all, especially in greater Minnesota. For example, he has developed and administered UMM classes in area towns for female nontraditional students, summer Elderhostel classes; workshops, summer enrichment and pre-college programs for high school students, classes and training for Head Start teachers and summer theatre productions, to name a few. He has also been active throughout his career in committee service in the College of Continuing Education, at UMM and at the All-University level. He is identified as a trusted ally, a supportive mentor, and a wise and creative resource person and problem solver. One person wrote “Tom McRoberts epitomizes the dedication, loyalty and resourcefulness of the kind of staff that exemplifies a world-class University.”
Leonard A. Polakiewicz
Leonard A. Polakiewicz is a professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures in the Institute of Linguistics, English as a Second Language, and Slavic Languages and Literatures, in the College of Liberal Arts. He has served the University for more than 30 years as a teacher and scholar and has contributed in service to students and faculty with an interest in Eastern Europe. He has been instrumental in program development and in the creation of opportunities for students and colleagues to study, teach and conduct research abroad, specifically in Poland and Russia. Through his tenacity and under his leadership, the undergraduate major program in East European studies was created and funded with external grant monies. He enlisted thirty-five faculty from twenty University of Minnesota departments to develop and teach forty new courses for the East European studies curriculum. During a very difficult political time in Poland, he forged ahead and worked with the Polish authorities and the University's Global Campus program; which led to the establishment of the Polish in Lublin Summer in Language and Culture Program at Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland, in 1984. People writing letters of support praise his innovative efforts and tell how the exceptional opportunity to study abroad changed their lives.
Terrie Shannon
Terrie Shannon, described as an advocate for learning, is an associate professor in the Department of Education at the University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD). During her tenure at UMD, she has served as associate dean for the College of Education and Human Service Professions, department head of Child and Family Development and the coordinator for the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Because of her efforts and advocacy, it was possible for the UMD Education Department to become a national leader in the area of American Indian Education. Under her leadership the Ruth Meyer's Endowed Chair of American Indian Education was established (1993), the first such endowed chair position in the nation. She is recognized as a champion of Native issues in the Ojibwe educational community. Because of her extensive professional experience as a teacher, administrator, and educational leader, she has made a significant impact in the area of teacher preparation initiatives that have impacted colleges and universities across Minnesota. “She understands the changing state and national scene in teacher education and embraces changes that have led to better service and learning of students and teacher preparation,” one person wrote. She is also active in several professional organizations and associations at both the state and national levels.
Gregory M. Vercellotti
Gregory M. Vercellotti is the senior associate dean for education at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He has served on the faculty since 1982 and is recognized as an outstanding academician, researcher, and clinician. His activities in the areas of creative innovation and community interaction are extensive. For example, he is responsible for the “On Doctoring” program that connects medicine and society and deals with ethics, culture, and the law; the “White Coat Ceremony” in which white coats, a reflection of the importance of professionalism, are given to first year medical students; the “Academy of Medical Educators” for outstanding teachers and/or role models; cultural diversity programs for recruitment of students and multicultural interactions; and, advising and mentoring programs. He is also recognized for his leadership of the television program “Health Talk and You,” designed to provide health information to the public, and the “Mini Medical School,” a series of six lectures and discussions for the general public led by some of the top faculty in the Academic Health Center. In addition, he had led educational programs for high school students to encourage interest in science for other professional organizations such as the American Society of Hematology and the American Federation of Clinical Research. His nominators wrote, “His ebullient passion for excellence; his protean talents in education, research and administration; his collegiality and good humor; and his irrepressible commitment to improving the human condition are a great treasure for the University of Minnesota.”
Mahmood Zaidi
Mahmood Zaidi has been a faculty member in the Industrial Relations Center of the Carlson School of Management since the fall of 1965. He is described as a highly productive teacher and scholar in his field of international labor market analysis, human capital and multinationals, and international human resource management. Over the past fifteen years, he has established valuable exchange programs with top business schools around the world, which has afforded Carlson School students the opportunity to study at highly acclaimed European, Pacific Rim and Latin American business schools. He was instrumental in the creation of short-term summer programs in Lyon, France, Vienna, Austria, and Costa Rica designed to prepare students to be leaders in the global economy. He also developed research exchange opportunities and international teaching opportunities as well as securing the funding to support these efforts. He has been very active in university service, having served on numerous governance committees and as chair of the Social Science Policy and Review Council of the Graduate School as well as serving on numerous University committees for international programs. In addition, he has been heavily involved in developing professional organizations such as the North American Economics and Finance Association and the Industrial Relations Research Association. One person wrote, “Mahmood Zaidi has truly been a citizen of the university community. As much as anybody I know, he has been the supreme "colleague" for the many of us who have had the good fortune of getting to know him, and been the recipients of his many kindnesses.”