12 Receive Distinguished Staff Award

OHIO STATE HONORS 12 WITH DISTINGUISHED STAFF AWARD

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University's highest honor for 
nonteaching employees, the Distinguished Staff Award, has been 
presented to 12 people on campus.

Recipients are recognized for their contributions to the 
quality of worklife for their university colleagues, students and 
members of the community.  They are considered top achievers who 
demonstrate a daily commitment to performing their jobs at the 
highest possible level.

Interim President Richard Sisson and Acting Vice President 
for Human Resources Larry Lewellen presented each with a $1,500 
honorarium and a crystal trophy at a luncheon June 16 at the 
Fawcett Center.  The Office of Human Resources sponsors the 
annual recognition program.

Recipients are Jennifer Brinkman of COLUMBUS (43215), 
Department of Plant Biology; Gregory Ferrell of WOOSTER, 
Agricultural Technical Institute; Cindy Gatens of UPPER 
ARLINGTON, University Hospitals; Bertha Ihnat of UPPER ARLINGTON, 
University Libraries; Steven Kremer of COLUMBUS (43220), Housing, 
Food Services and Event Centers; Joan Maynard of UPPER ARLINGTON, 
University Hospitals; Jo McCulty of COLUMBUS (43204), University 
Communications; Juanita Mitchell of ZANESVILLE, University 
Extension; Kelley Norris of CLINTONVILLE, Veterinary Hospital; 
Robert Tatz of WORTHINGTON, Department of Chemistry; William 
Thalgott of GAHANNA, Department of Electrical Engineering; and 
Norma Trotter of SMITHVILLE, Ohio Agricultural Research and 
Development Center.

Jennifer Brinkman, research assistant 2, Department of Plant 
Biology
"She is always the first to offer a lending hand regardless 
of the personal inconvenience it may cause," wrote one nominator 
of Jennifer Brinkman.  Reaching out to others is second nature to 
Brinkman, who uses her many skills to ensure that the Department 
of Plant Biology is never lacking for a pair of hands to 
accomplish a task.  Brinkman steps comfortably into others' shoes 
when they need her, whether it be to apply pesticides to 
experimental material in a greenhouse or to spend her lunch hour 
as a receptionist so others can take a break.  She completes not 
only her assigned responsibilities, but puts in many extra hours 
each week to help keep the department running smoothly. 

Gregory Ferrell, manager of public safety, Agricultural Technical 
Institute
"Our employees, students and campus visitors are much safer 
and more adequately protected because of Greg Ferrell's vision 
and leadership," wrote one nominator.  Ferrell is credited with 
the growth of the Wooster Campus Police Department from a single-
person office when he began in 1978 to one where he is manager 
for a department of four full-time officers, one half-time 
officer and three auxiliary university law enforcement officers. 
His dedication is evident in the many additional responsibilities 
he has shouldered, including attending a 2 1/2-month FBI Academy 
in Virginia, teaching first aid and CPR classes on campus and 
serving as chair of ATI's Substance Management Awareness Resource 
Team.

Cindy Gatens, clinical nurse specialist, 
Psychiatric/Rehabilitation Nursing, University Hospitals
Patients come first for Cindy Gatens.  Gatens' efforts 
include promoting patient education by developing several books 
and coordinating classes for staff on the subject, as well as 
educating and counseling patients directly.  Her knowledge on 
rehabilitation nursing is respected nationally through her 
presentations at national conferences and her many published 
articles and book chapters.  Locally, she has set up and runs a 
clinic for patients with Multiple Sclerosis and other neurologic 
diseases.  "Cindy has gone far beyond expectations in helping to 
develop and implement quality programming for patients, families 
and the public," wrote one nominator. 

Bertha Ihnat, library associate 1, University Libraries
In 1981, Bertha Ihnat began her service to Ohio State as a 
volunteer for University Archives.  By 1985, her dedication to 
quality, productivity and service had led her to a full-time 
position as a reference assistant.  "She is a campus treasure 
with a phenomenal grasp of the history, heritage, organization 
and interconnectedness of the people, the events, and the fabric 
of the institution," commented one nominator.  Another wrote that 
Ihnat provides outstanding customer service.  She has been 
responsible for indexing the alumni magazine and was responsible 
for the planning, packing, unpacking and arranging when archives 
moved into a new building in 1995.

Steven Kremer, director of residence life, Housing, Food Services 
and Event Centers
Steven Kremer's nominators described him as someone who 
really cares about students.  "Steve thrives on the undergraduate 
student experience and how the staff can create comfortable, 
intentional communities for learning," wrote one nominator.  As 
director of residence life, Kremer has addressed issues of 
student retention, diversity and security through programs that 
instill students with pride in Ohio State and which improve their 
contact with residence life staff.  He regularly walks the 
residence halls, introducing himself to students and asking their 
opinions.  He also is committed to his staff, helping to create a 
"sense of trust and respect within the department." 

Joan Maynard, chaplain, University Hospitals
"She always seems to be at the right place at the right time 
to offer support, advice, assistance and, most importantly, 
compassion when it is needed," wrote one of the Rev. Joan 
Maynard's nominators.  Maynard ministers to mothers who have 
experienced the death of an infant or fetus.  Her caring touches 
include easing the pain of families when viewing a fetal demise 
baby by ensuring that blankets and outfits are knitted for the 
babies to wear, and using a seashell when performing baptisms so 
parents can have a memento.  She mobilizes other staff to provide 
support, and assists with the organization of educational and 
informational materials for the Bereavement Team.

Jo McCulty, photographer, University Communications
"If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Jo McCulty has 
contributed at least a billion beautiful words about The Ohio 
State University," wrote a nominator.  McCulty has climbed onto 
rooftops to get better angles for photos, risen early to capture 
dawn's first light and gotten drenched at commencement.  A 
nominator commented: "I've watched her work while she's been sick 
because the job needed to be done.  I've seen her work all hours 
of the day or night.  I've seen her temporarily stumped by 
logistics of a shot.  No matter.  She always captures a fabulous 
shot."  McCulty also "takes a personal interest in her subjects 
and cares about them as people and what they do," a nominator 
wrote.

Juanita Mitchell, nutrition educator, University Extension, 
Muskingum County
Juanita Mitchell has worked as a nutrition educator for 17 
years with the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, 
teaching parents and children about nutrition, food preparation, 
meal planning and food safety.  Mitchell finds creative solutions 
to help people help themselves, initiating collaborations with 
local groups and agencies and reaching out to teach at local 
jails, homeless shelters, churches, schools and neighborhood 
centers.  "Many youths and adults of Muskingum County know her 
name and regularly stop and talk to her.  Usually they want to 
let her know that she truly helped them in their time of need," 
wrote a nominator.

Kelley Norris, animal health technician, Veterinary Hospital
Kelley Norris' personality, intelligence and keen sense of 
compassion have earned her the respect of her co-workers and 
clients, not to mention the trust of the four-footed furry 
creatures she encounters every day at the Veterinary Hospital.  
Her specialty is ophthalmology, a field in which she, in the 
words of one nominator, has "developed an impressive knowledge 
base."  Norris also demonstrates great people skills, as well as 
an affinity for organization.  "Due to Kelley's expertise and 
careful organization in planning clients' appointments 
practically down to the minute, a mishap or dissatisfied client 
is a rare occurrence in this department," wrote a nominator.

Robert Tatz, instructional laboratory supervisor, Department of 
Chemistry
"Bob Tatz could not accomplish all that he does for the 
department and university without having tremendous dedication," 
wrote a nominator.  "He is often still working on various 
projects long after his day is 'officially' done.  He is truly a 
craftsman in what he does."  Tatz's responsibilities include the 
supervision of the academic laboratory instruction for all of the 
general chemistry courses, putting him in contact with 15-18 
faculty members, 160 graduate and undergraduate teaching 
assistants, and nearly 3,500 students per quarter.  Tatz's 
familiarity with experiments enables him to work closely with 
faculty on the quality of the lab experience in relation to 
coursework.  "He makes those of us who teach chemistry better 
teachers," wrote a nominator. 

William Thalgott, laboratory supervisor, Department of Electrical 
Engineering
William Thalgott is the kind of employee who is admired not 
only for his skill and knowledge, but for who he is.  After 
listing many of his contributions as manager of the Electrical 
Engineering Shops, one nominator wrote, "but all that is just 
stuff he does.  You have to know the person that Bill is.  He 
stands up for what is right.  He does what needs to be done.  He 
always looks out for the little guy.  He loves our department and 
he loves Ohio State."  Thalgott, a highly skilled machinist who 
is known as "a resident expert when it comes to anything 
mechanical in nature," is always available to offer his help to 
co-workers and to students.

Norma Trotter, office associate, Ohio Agricultural Research and 
Development Center
At the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in 
Wooster, Norma Trotter is the stopping point for many questions.  
During her 28 years there, she has become a valuable resource on 
everything from technical questions about the phone systems to 
inquiries about farm operations.  "Norma has been so valuable to 
us because she has made the extra effort to develop a detailed 
understanding of the research programs that utilize the land, 
facilities, buildings, equipment and vehicles for this campus," 
wrote one nominator.  She has served as chair of the Campus 
Campaign at the Wooster campus and for the OARDC staff council, 
as well as volunteering at open houses, field days and research 
showcases.

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Contact:  Ned Cullom, Office of Human Resources, (614) 292-4341

Written by Susan Wittstock.