Distinguished Research Administrator Award
When: 3:30-5 p.m., May 2
Where: Michigan League’s Vandenberg Room
Two U-M staff members will be honored by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) for their outstanding research service. Scott Stanfill will receive the Distinguished Research Administrator Award and Lynn Cook will receive the OVPR Exceptional Service Award.
“It takes skill, dedication and hard work to administer U-M’s $1.3 billion dollar research enterprise — the largest at any university in the nation,” says Stephen Forrest, vice president for research. “These awards recognize two individuals who exemplify the very best in the spirit, energy and effectiveness they bring to their jobs.”
This year’s awards reception will take place from 3:30-5 p.m. May 2 in the Michigan League’s Vandenberg Room; an awards presentation will begin at 4 p.m. The event is open to the public.
The Distinguished Research Administrator Award honors individuals from any unit at the university who have demonstrated distinguished service exemplifying the goals of professional research administration. The OVPR Exceptional Service Award honors staff members from OVPR or any of the diverse units from across campus that report to OVPR. This award recognizes individuals involved in any area of work who have made outstanding contributions that go beyond the ordinary fulfillment of the position’s duties.
Stansfill.
Stanfill, research process senior manager in the School of Social Work, who came to the university in 1993, has broadened his skills and transitioned from finance to research as an administrator. His background has enabled him to make this transition with efficiency and improvement of the structure of administration. His interactions with students, staff and faculty are professional, supportive and enthusiastic, and his knowledge of grant management, accounting and budget preparation are invaluable, nominators say. He was cited for his upbeat sense of humor, positive personality and win-win attitude, which create an enjoyable environment for every position he has held and for each mission he has carried out.
Cook.
Cook, assistant to the vice president-senior and administrator, COI Review Committee in OVPR, has been at the university for 31 years. In her position at OVPR, she works directly with the vice president for research on managing his schedule, organizing and managing the Conflict of Interest Committee for research, and handling a range of other tasks and special projects as they arise. In the past year, she has gone above and beyond her responsibilities at OVPR to assist Ann Arbor SPARK — an economic development organization affiliated with U-M and chaired by Forrest — by providing support in a time of transition. Nominators cited her patience and commitment to her position at the university, and her ready willingness to take on new responsibilities.
The 2011 winners were selected by Forrest based on recommendations from an awards selection committee that includes Kate Blakeman, Life Sciences Institute; Catherine Liebowitz, Institute for Social Research; Dave Plawchan, Division of Research Development and Administration; Patricia Preston, Department of Sociology; and Peggy Westrick, LSA Research Office.
