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Winners of USM Office Achievement Awards Honored at Elkins Building Ceremony

Adelphi, Md. (Jan. 14, 2014) -- The University System of Maryland (USM) Office has recognized six outstanding individuals by presenting its Achievement Awards. The honorees were saluted at a recent gathering of USM Office staff for either extraordinary achievement during the past year or exceptional career service.

Individuals were nominated, considered, and approved by members of senior leadership who report directly to USM Chancellor William E. "Brit" Kirwan. An individual from each major department (Administration & Finance; Internal Audit; Academic Affairs; Advancement; and the Chancellor's Office) was selected.

At a reception held in the atrium level of the USM Elkins Building and organized by the Office of Human Resources, each honoree received a $250 check, funded by the Office of Advancement. (Two honorees were selected from the Office of Finance because of that office's large size.)

 

Paul Ward, Facility Operations/Office of Finance:

As manager of the front desk at the USM's home office, the Elkins Building, Ward was saluted for consistently going above and beyond the call of duty. "He handles just about anything and everyone who comes in the front door, treating each interaction with the utmost respect and importance," Chancellor Kirwan said. "In a sense, he is the ‘face' of the Elkins Building and I think we start off with a wonderful first impression to our guests as a result."

 

Mary Lerman, Office of Budget Analysis/Finance:

Lerman was honored for consistently providing superior support services in several critical areas, such as the operating budget, institutional research, and accountability. In addition to her daily duties, she has reproduced, organized, and prepared materials for many of the important office events including Board of Regents retreats, meetings of board committees and work groups, and dashboard performance binders.  "Mary's always willing to lend a hand and has taken on additional duties and assignments during times of staff turnover," Chancellor Kirwan said.

  

Lennox Brown, Office of Internal Audit

Brown has led Internal Audit's information systems and technology audits for the past 13 years.  His work has brought about improvements in information security, continuity of technology operations, and disaster recovery programs at institutions across the USM.  "He has a wonderful working relationship with chief information and security officers on campuses throughout the system," Kirwan said. "His leadership, expertise, skill, and professionalism are a wonderful asset for Internal Audit and the entire USM Office."

 

Parvathi Narayan, Office of Academic Affairs

While her primary responsibility is to support Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Nancy Shapiro in the P‐20 Office (USM collaborative partnerships in P-K through graduate school), Narayan has been called upon to support MJ Bishop in the Center for Innovation and Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CIELT) and to work on several additional projects in Academic Affairs.  In pulling together meetings of P‐20 groups, teacher education workgroups, and academic transformation teams, she often has to coordinate the schedules of multiple department leaders. "While that feat alone is worthy of recognition, she does much more to meet the demands of Academic Affairs," Kirwan said.

 

Jenna Butler, Office of Advancement

As the director of special events, Buttler goes the extra mile to bring success to the USM events here at the Elkins building. She has helped every single institution within the USM in planning events, and she has made the Hidden Waters facility a "destination" for our donors, friends, and other VIPs.

"Jenna is great at anticipating needs and potential problems before they surface, and works well with senior leadership to plan events that are first class. Moreover, she has managed to plan hundreds of events during her tenure here without going over budget.  She is a true asset to the System," Kirwan said.

Tina Madarang, Chancellor's Office

As executive assistant as principal administrator support to Chancellor Kirwan, Madarang handles highly confidential and sensitive materials, coordinates the Chancellor's schedule, works closely with all senior staff, and is responsible for the efficient operations of the Chancellor's Office.

 "Tina performs this demanding job at the highest possible level professionally, with a pleasant demeanor and unfailingly positive attitude," Kirwan said. "She is very conscientious, dependable, flexible, and responsive. Tina's dedication, high level of skills and professionalism are critical to the smooth operation of this office."

USM staff members with at least 10 years' service also were recognized, in intervals of five years, inclusive of USM staff members with 30 years of service.

 

  

  

  

Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu

University System of Maryland
3300 Metzerott Road
Adelphi, MD 20783-1690, USA
301.445.2740