Christine Black's coworkers at the School of Nursing describe her as "a jewel and a joy to work with." This is one of many reasons Black, a grant proposal writing specialist, is the 2008 recipient of the Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for Excellence. At a Dec. 17 reception Provost Teresa Sullivan presented Black, shown with her son Kevin and husband Herb, with the award and a $500 cash prize. The honor was established in 2004 as a memorial to Candy Johnson, a dedicated staff member from the Office of the Provost who died in 2003. The provost's office created the award to recognize staff members on campus who, like Johnson, have a positive influence in the workplace through their professionalism and personality. In a nomination letter, another colleague described Black as "a wonderful 'midwife' to the research process." She also was praised for making a difference in the lives of others through optimism and compassion. Black and her husband sponsor the Burt Black Memorial Fund, named in memory of their son to award a scholarship each year to a disabled U-M student. Black also is involved in numerous non-profit organizations and frequently volunteers in Ann Arbor soup kitchens. For more information on the award, go to www.umich.edu/~hraa/cjjaward. (Photo by Scott Soderberg, U-M Photo Services)