Research Administration award winners announced

Three U-M staff members will be honored for outstanding service by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) during a May 10 reception. Patricia Fink and Peggy Westrick will receive Distinguished Research Administrator Awards, and Kathleen Welch will receive the OVPR Exceptional Service Award.

Fink (Photo by Lin Jones, U-M Photo Services)

Welch (Photo by Lin Jones, U-M Photo Services)

Westrick (Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services)

"It's important for the University to recognize the contributions of research administrators and staff members," says Stephen Forrest, vice president for research. "The size and complexity of Michigan's research portfolio requires top-notch support, and we get it from our administrative professionals."

The reception will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Michigan League Vandenberg Room, with the awards presented at 4 p.m.

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 Exceptional Service Award honors staff members from OVPR or any of the units that report to it. 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.

Award winners are:

• Patricia Fink, who has been with the University since 1974, and at the Institute for Social Research (ISR) since 1978. The growing number of proposals submitted and dollars awarded are a testament to her considerable strengths in research administration, her nomination states. She has served on numerous committees, including the ISR Turnpike Users Group Steering Committee, the Office of Contract Administration Review Team and the eResearch Routing and Approval Design Team, and has contributed to the development of ISR's proposal and award tracking system. Fink's nomination stresses her commitment to teamwork, concern for others and ability to adapt to new challenges.

• Peggy Westrick, whose 23-year career at the University always has involved research administration. Westrick has worked on an array of issues, many faculty disciplines and numerous external funding agencies. She is an active participant in new initiatives, both within LSA and across campus, including the Humanities Funding Portal, FastLane, and Grants.gov. Westrick was involved in the original Research Administrators Instructional Network (RAIN) training program pilot group and has been asked to participate in a RAIN review group. Her commitment to process improvement, excellent customer service, enthusiasm and energy were cited in her nomination.

• Kathleen Welch, with more than 30 years of service, has contributed significantly to the University's combined missions of research, education and service with the quality and quantity of statistical analysis, consultation and teaching she provides, her nomination states. Welch collaborates on research projects with faculty and staff, as well as developing and teaching Center for Statistical Consultation and Research courses and workshops. Her nomination contains numerous examples of extraordinary service, such as sharing subtleties that make statistical analysis more efficient. It also details her pleasure in helping people progress in their work.

The 2007 winners were selected by Forrest with the assistance of an awards advisory committee: Kelly Cormier, electrical engineering and computer science; Violet Elder, Center for Computational Medicine and Biology; Julie Feldkamp, Division of Research Development and Administration; Ruth Freedman, Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute; Jane Holland, microbiology and immunology; and Dennis Martin, Biomedical Research Core Facilities.