Penn State Outreach staff members were honored recently with Vice President's Awards for their contributions to the outreach mission of the University.
"These awards recognize and celebrate excellence in our outreach organization," said Craig D. Weidemann, vice president for Outreach at Penn State. "The award recipients are recognized for their extraordinary contributions and dedication to the outreach mission of the University. They exemplify the values that provide the foundation for building the promise of outreach: leadership, entrepreneurship, excellent service, community and learning." Weidemann presented the awards during the Outreach Systemwide Conference, "A Day of Connection." Award recipients are:
-- Vice President's Award for Excellent Service: Penn State McKeesport Continuing Education. This award honors Outreach faculty, staff and technical-service employees who consistently demonstrate commitment to outstanding customer service. Team members include: Susan Lewis, director, Continuing Education; Debra Killmeyer, area representative; Anthony Mitchell, area representative; Roxanne Daykon, program aide; Melanie Brletic, staff assistant; and Jeanmarie Jacob, Continuing Education assistant. They were recognized for a commitment to customer service that exceeds expectations.
-- Vice President's Award for Entrepreneurship: Rick L. Day, associate professor of soil science and environmental information systems, College of Agricultural Sciences. This award honors Outreach faculty, staff and technical-service employees who break new ground through innovative programs, products, services or approaches designed to meet the needs of the work unit or clientele. Day was recognized for his energy, creativity and productivity in delivering educational content to the people of Pennsylvania and meeting the current and emerging needs of clientele.
-- Vice President's Award for Learning and Community: Women's Ag Network. This award honors Outreach faculty, staff and technical-service employees who demonstrate exceptional commitment to advancing lifelong learning and create a supportive environment for learning and work. Team members include: Mary Barbercheck, professor of entomology, College of Agricultural Sciences; Kathryn Brasier, assistant professor, College of Agricultural Sciences/Department of Agriculture Economics and Rural Sociology; Jill Findeis, professor, College of Agricultural Sciences/Department of Agriculture Economics and Rural Sociology; Nancy Ellen Kiernan, program evaluator, College of Agricultural Sciences/Cooperative Extension administration; Linda Moist, senior Extension associate, College of Agricultural Sciences; Carolyn Sachs, professor, College of Agricultural Sciences/Department of Agriculture Economics and Rural Sociology; Ann Stone, staff assistant, College of Agricultural Sciences; and Amy Trauger, postdoctoral researcher, College of Agricultural Sciences/Department of Agriculture Economics and Rural Sociology. The Women's Ag Network was recognized for creating an environment of openness, positive solution-seeking and respect for women farmers.
-- Vice President's Award for Diversity: Robyn G. Robinson, coordinator of faculty affairs, Penn State World Campus. This award recognizes outstanding support by Outreach faculty, staff and technical-service employees for diversity within the workplace and among those Outreach serves. An Outreach employee for more than 20 years, Robinson was recognized for her passionate commitment to creating and supporting a diverse working environment that is welcoming to all and for raising diversity awareness.
-- Vice President's Award for Leadership: Wayne D. Smutz, senior director of Continuing and Professional Education. This award honors Outreach faculty, staff and technical-service employees who provide exemplary leadership and contributions within the Outreach organization and who demonstrate the highest overall standards of performance. Smutz, who has been a Penn State employee for 25 years, was recognized for his exemplary leadership and integrity, and for maintaining a sense of humor and optimistic stance that makes people want to work with him toward important goals.