Blog@Case Topics: Staff Advisory Council

Nursing School Human Resources Manager Receives President’s Award for Distinguished Service

2010-06-17T13:00:52Z

President Barbara R. Snyder
and Kathleen O'Linn
Photo: Dan Milner

Kathleen O'Linn, who joined the university in 1994, is supportive of causes and programs that have a transformational effect on people's lives.

Her efforts are being recognized with a 2010 President's Award for Distinguished Service.

O'Linn, along with two other employees, received the recognition during the Staff Service Awards. The event, held last week, also recognized employees with 10, 25 and 35 years of service with the university.

The program was a collaborative effort between the Department of Human Resources, the Staff Advisory Council and the Office of the President.

Learn more about O'Linn:

Mandel School IT Director Receives President’s Award for Distinguished Service

2010-06-16T13:59:43Z

President Barbara R. Snyder
and Tom Franchina
Photo: Dan Milner

Carmelo "Tom" Franchina, director of information technology at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, is described by many as the go-to guy for just about anything.

His efforts are being recognized with a 2010 President's Award for Distinguished Service.

Franchina, along with two other employees, received the recognition during the Staff Service Awards. The event, held last week, also recognized employees with 10, 25 and 35 years of service with the university.

The program was a collaborative effort between the Department of Human Resources, the Staff Advisory Council and the Office of the President .

Learn more about Franchina:

Social Worker Receives President’s Award for Distinguished Service

2010-06-15T13:12:48Z

President Barbara R. Snyder
and Jane Daroff
Photo: Dan Milner

Jane Daroff, a social worker with University Counseling Services, has touched the lives of many students since she joined Case Western Reserve in 1991.

Her efforts are being recognized with a 2010 Presidentâ€™s Award for Distinguished Service.

Daroff, along with two other employees, received the recognition during the Staff Service Awards. The event, held last week, also recognized employees with 10, 25 and 35 years of service with the university.

The program was a collaborative effort between the Department of Human Resources, the Staff Advisory Council and the Office of the President.

"Think beyond the possible truly describes how people here do their work," said Case Western Reserve President Barbara R. Snyder. She added that the event was a celebration honoring colleagues who have reached significant milestones. â€œThank you for all that you do every day. We help each other, and thatâ€™s how we get things done.â€

Learn more about Daroff:

Steps 4 Staff Walk to Raise Funds for Staff Educational Enhancement Program

2010-06-09T14:36:33Z

By taking a walk around campus this Friday, Case Western Reserve staff members can help colleagues in their educational pursuits.

The inaugural Steps 4 Staff event, taking place Friday, June 11, is the summer fundraiser for the Staff Educational Enhancement Program, which supports two initiatives geared toward professional staff development: The Staff Educational Enhancement Fund and the Eastwood-Inamori Staff Educational Scholarship. The Staff Educational Enhancement Fund raises money for textbooks, certifications, courses and training opportunities not funded under regular university benefits. The Eastwood-Inamori Staff Educational Scholarship, in partnership with the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence, assists staff members pursuing leadership training in ethics and excellence at the Weatherhood School of Management.

The Staff Educational Enhancement Program is managed by the Staff Advisory Council (SAC), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Staff Advisory Council Marks 20 Years at Case Western Reserve University

2010-06-03T13:14:01Z

Cheryl Felder Scott, left, the first SAC chair,
and Kathleen O'Linn, current SAC chair

In the spring of 1990, a small number of Case Western Reserve University staff members formed an advisory group to make recommendations regarding policies and procedures affecting staff.

Twenty years later, the Staff Advisory Council (SAC) has grown into an influential organization with direct lines to senior administration and the Department of Human Resources. Staff members serve on committees representing everything from fringe benefits to community service.

SAC marked its 20th anniversary on May 24 with a celebratory luncheon and recognition ceremony. More than 150 people attended, including former SAC leaders and Presidentâ€™s Award winners. They were the first to view 20 Years of Building Bridges, a video produced for the event.

Child Care Pilot Programs are Up and Running

2010-02-09T17:05:50Z

When Adrienne Allotta recently needed emergency child care for her toddler son, Jackson, she turned to a new program available to Case Western Reserve University faculty, staff and students.

She found help through the Temporary and Back-up Child Care program, which launched last fall. The program places caregivers with families on a full-time or temporary basis.

Allotta, associate director for career development at the Weatherhead School of Management, used the service for two weeks while her regular child care provider recuperated from an illness. "I don't have family in town, so for my situation it was a perfect solution," she explained.

The Temporary and Back-up Child Care program—along with the Child Care Support During Travel program—are two pilot projects that emerged from the work of the President's Committee on Child Care Options during 2008-2009. Benefits-eligible faculty and staff are able to participate in the initiatives.

The Department of Human Resources is responsible for administering the two pilot programs. According to James Ryan, chair of the child care options committee and senior director of benefits, about a dozen people have used the programs so far.

SAC Basket Raffle Proceeds Benefit Two Agencies that Help Children and Families

2009-12-08T18:54:18Z

Two nonprofit organizations will have a brighter holiday season thanks to the Case Western Reserve University community.

Staff Advisory Council's Community Service Committee raised thousands of dollars for two local charities. The committee's Ninth Annual Basket Raffle fundraiser benefitted the Bellflower Center for Prevention of Child Abuse and the MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants.

"Everyone on the committee came up with ideas," said Bonnie Copes, who works in the Case School of Engineering. She is a Community Service Committee co-chair, along with Mary Lou Smith, who works in the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. Every year, different organizations are selected to receive the funds from the Basket Raffle.

Donald Chenelle Receives
President's Award for Distinguished Service

2009-06-18T18:25:35Z

Donald Chenelle has spent his career making a Case Western Reserve University education a reality for a countless number of students.

"He has championed the need for affordable undergraduate education at Case and provided the opportunity for tens of thousands of students to attend and graduate in his almost 36 years of service," wrote a nominator who recommended that he be a recipient of the President's Award for Distinguished Service. Chenelle, director of financial aid, received the award during the Staff Service Awards Brunch last week.

He arrived at Case Western Reserve more than 35 years ago ready to help students find ways to pay for school. To achieve this, another nominator wrote about Chenelle's commitment to securing endowed scholarships and grants from alumni, the business community and friends of the university. He has spearheaded efforts such as the Ohio Leadership Awards Program, and has been instrumental in developing a partnership with Cleveland Scholarship Programs.

Denise Douglas Receives President's Award for Distinguished Service

2009-06-17T18:24:25Z

Denise Douglas readily admits that she loves the atmosphere of college campuses. She even makes it a point to visit colleges while on vacation in order to study the local architecture and history of different colleges and universities.

So it should come as no surprise that Douglas—who always knew that she wanted a career that would allow her to help people—ended up working on a college campus in higher education administration.

Douglas, associate dean of graduate studies, was recently awarded the President's Award for Distinguished Service during the annual Staff Service Awards Brunch. The awards program was a collaborative effort between the Department of Human Resources, the Staff Advisory Council and the Office of the President.

"I was shocked. I think most of us go about our day without expecting people to notice," Douglas said about winning the award. "It's always nice when people recognize your work because you feel like you've made an impact."

Janice Eatman Williams is Recipient of
President's Award for Distinguished Service

2009-06-16T18:13:23Z

Janice Eatman Williams wants Case Western Reserve University students to not only become familiar with their academic lessons, but also the cultural classroom that surrounds the university.

"We have all of this," she says while pointing out different museums and resources in University Circle. To help students who will be spending several years as part of the campus community become familiar with the area, she leads walking heritage tours of the University Circle, Glenville and Hough neighborhoods.

Eatman Williams, assistant director of the Center for Civic Engagement and Learning, is a recipient of the President's Award for Distinguished Service. She received the award during the annual Staff Service Awards Brunch last week. The awards program was a collaborative effort between the Department of Human Resources, the Staff Advisory Council and the Office of the President.

More Than 100 Honored During Annual Staff Service Awards Brunch

2009-06-12T20:12:55Z

Case Western Reserve University recently honored more than 100 staff members for their long-term years of service. Those who have been with the university for 10, 25, 35, and 45 years received certificates, as well as special gifts or proclamations during Wednesday's Staff Service Awards Brunch.

The awards program was a collaborative effort between the Department of Human Resources, the Staff Advisory Council and the Office of the President.

"This celebration recognizes that the work you've done at Case Western Reserve University is very special, said Carolyn Gregory, vice president for human resources.

Barbara R. Snyder, president of the university, and John Wheeler, senior vice president of administration, also acknowledged the impact that these long-term employees have on the university.

"Everything we achieve depends on your passion and commitment," Snyder told the awardees.

New Paid Parental Leave Policy Part of Growing Family-Friendly Benefits

2009-03-04T18:57:03Z

Case Western Reserve University staff employees are invited to attend an informational session this week to learn more about a new policy that is part of a growing package of family-friendly benefits.

"Case Western Reserve University recognizes the need to support employees as they balance career and family life," Carolyn Gregory, vice president of human resources, wrote in an e-mail to staff when the Paid Parental Leave policy was announced last November. The new policy was approved by President Barbara R. Snyder with an effective date of Nov. 1, 2008.

The policy offers Family Medical Leave Act eligible staff employees paid time off after the birth or adoption of a child. That time is not charged against employees' sick and/or vacation balances. FMLA requires Case Western Reserve to provide up to 12 work weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. The university's new policy goes a step beyond, allowing for up to a maximum of six weeks of paid parental leave for birth mothers and primary caregivers, and up to three weeks of paid parental leave for other parents, including domestic partners who are non-primary care givers. Paid parental leave runs concurrently with FMLA leave, and staff employees receive their full salaries.

Michael Yeager honored for dedication to patrons, learning and ascent at Kelvin Smith Library

2008-06-13T14:28:07Z

In his 20-year -- and still counting -- career at Case Western Reserve University, Michael Yeager not only has been the perfect example of customer service but also personifies the lifelong learning environment that is Case Western Reserve.

Since starting at the Kelvin Smith Library in 1988, Yeager has grown his skills from librarianship to interlibrary loan to systems administrator for the entire library management system.

Yeager; Ramona David, admissions and program manager for The Institute for Management and Engineering (TiME); and Colleen Barker-Williamson, director of Thwing Center for programs and leadership, were each honored by President Barbara R. Snyder with the President's Award for Distinguished Service during the university's 2008 Staff Awards Brunch Wednesday in the Thwing Center ballroom. David and Barker-Williamson were featured in Case Daily Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Colleen Barker-Williamson recognized for programs, leadership work with students, staff

2008-06-12T16:42:25Z

As a director for programs and leadership at Thwing Center, Colleen Barker-Williamson is well known as adviser, mentor and friend to students, but she has made, perhaps, an even greater impression on her staff.

In recognition of her service to students and her programs and leadership team, Barker-Williamson -- along with Ramona David, admissions and program manager for The Institute for Management and Engineering (TiME), and Michael Yeager, analyst programmer at the Kelvin Smith Library -- received the President's Award for Distinguished Service from President Barbara R. Snyder during the university's 2008 Staff Awards Brunch yesterday in the Thwing Center ballroom. David was featured in Case Daily yesterday, and Yeager's story will appear tomorrow.

During her nearly 20 years in student activities and leadership, Barker-Williamson has worked with thousands of undergraduates. She has helped them along their way to becoming doctors, lawyers, CEOs, educators -- and a princess down in Disneyland. She encourages students to follow their dreams as well as work for the greater good.

Ramona David cited for service to admissions, students of management engineering program

2008-06-11T18:09:12Z

Case Western Reserve University's master of engineering management (MEM) program is projected to have a record year in terms of enrollment and tuition revenue—due largely in part to Ramona David.

David—one of three staff members recognized this year with the President's Award for Distinguished Service—has worked as admissions and program manager for The Institute for Management and Engineering (TiME), a partnership of the Case School of Engineering and Weatherhead School of Management, since 2001. In this role, she serves as the principal interface with MEM students from the time they apply through their degree program and eventual transition to alumni.

"She is adviser, friend, mentor, mother away from home, counselor, etiquette and grooming consultant and event organizer," one nominator wrote. "Ms. David plays a key role in the transformation of young engineers into well-prepared, confident and ambitious individuals ready to hit the ground running in the industry."

Case community raises $6,000 to aid needy families in Cleveland and Hurricane Katrina victims

2006-01-25T15:56:53Z

Case Western Reserve University's annual Basket Raffle proceeds benefit Salvation Army programs

In about 24 hours, the Case Western Reserve University community raised $6,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina who relocated to the Cleveland area, as well as other needy families in Northeast Ohio.

The proceeds were raised at the Staff Advisory Council's (SAC) annual Basket Raffle. SAC's Community Service Committee, which sponsor's the raffle, presented a check to the Northeast Ohio Division of the Salvation Army on January 6.