The Presidential Values Award
Presidential values awards are given in recognition of employees whose performance reflects the University’s core values of integrity, accountability, teamwork, leadership in mission and leadership in excellence. Nominations may be made by any employee.
Monica Caro
Assistant Director, Nanovic Institute for European Studies
“Those that work with Monica quickly notice her commitment to the University’s Catholic mission and values while making significant contributions for the betterment of the University. This year, the Nanovic Institute has been under the direction of an interim director while the institute’s director is on sabbatical. As assistant director, Monica has stepped up and gone the extra mile to ensure the staff of the institute stays organized and efficient in this time of flux. It is due to Monica’s dedication and integrity the Nanovic Institute has completed its programming events and projects at the level of quality and excellence which has now become a standard for the institute.”
Brian Lohr
Director, MBA Program – Admissions
“Brian exemplifies the University’s core values throughout his everyday life at home and at work. Brian works hard to ensure the best decision is made involving the applicants to the MBA Program. He stands behind each decision he makes and the decisions made by his team. If things go really well, his team gets the credit; if they go poorly, he takes responsibility. Every incoming and current student has his personal cell phone number, so they may contact him at any time. Brian consistently goes the extra mile in his job.”
Denise Murphy
Director of Benefits and Wellness, Department Of Human Resources
“As the director of benefits and wellness, Denise is dedicated to providing the best programs and benefits for the faculty and staff at the University. Denise has worked tirelessly with the Faculty Senate and on the Advancing Our Vision committee. Her attitude and actions through her work with these groups has been an outstanding example of all of the University’s core values. She meets with the Faculty Senate every year to report on changes in employee benefits. One of Denise’s strengths is her ability to communicate the rationale for any benefit changes clearly while also acknowledging the concerns of her audience, which she always manages to do with a smile. Her interactions with faculty exhibit the highest standards of integrity and accountability. She exemplifies this in her willingness to be open to alternative points of view, and perhaps most importantly her willingness to advocate for the best employee benefits package the University can afford. She demonstrates a genuine regard for employees.”
The Presidential Achievement Award
In recognition of breakthrough initiatives, extraordinary innovations and significant contributions to the University’s long-term success.
Melanie DeFord
Director, Grants Business Management
“Melanie does not let the ‘not my job’ syndrome get in the way of getting things done to advance the research goals of the University. Perhaps her most significant achievement is the leadership role she played in both the procurement and implementation of the CORES (Core Ordering and Reporting Enterprise System) software, a Web-based software system designed to facilitate the purchase of products and services for the University’s core facilities and shared resources—something that has changed the way we do business. Melanie’s leadership of the CORES project from inception to implementation has visibly improved both the efficiency and effectiveness of the research enterprise here on campus.”
John Kuczmanski
Project Manager, Maintenance
“John is recognized across campus as a highly respected maintenance professional. He has spent over 20 years focused on providing consistently outstanding service excellence to a multitude of campus buildings, especially our 29 undergraduate residence halls. Last fall, he also designed a new rigging mechanism and protocol for raising the traditional banner at Zahm Hall, preserving the ritual while ensuring student safety.”
The Presidential Leadership Award
In recognition of regular staff supervisors, exempt or non-exempt staff, for their outstanding servant leadership.
Phyllis Campbell
Assistant Director of Building Services
“Phyllis was recently appointed to the position of assistant director of building services, her second promotion in less than a year. She has developed an extremely strong team and has transformed the department by streamlining processes, organizing process improvements and training hundreds of individuals on campus. Phyllis has also helped organize Relay for Life, United Way and Holy Cross Harvest events, as well as a summer blood drive. All of her teamwork and achievements are an excellent example of the mission and values the University looks for its employees to display.”
Donald Stelluto
Associate Director, ND Institute for Advanced Study
“Donald Stelluto’s leadership is inspiring to all who come into contact with him. Donald leads by example. He is always willing to lend a hand to colleagues to help them perform their jobs. He is committed to the success of the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study and the mission of the University. Stelluto and Vittorio Hösle were recently awarded a $1.58 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation for their proposal, ‘Pursuing the Unity of Knowledge: Integrating Religion, Science, and the Academic Disciplines.’ This grant will fund a three-year program to attract some of the world’s greatest scholars to Notre Dame to engage in dialogues on questions of value that transcend disciplinary boundaries.”
Originally published by at today.nd.edu on May 30, 2013.