2004-05 Outstanding Staff Awards

Julia Hamilton, G.R. (Bob) Osburn, Kathleen Cook, Delores Kennedy, Gina Frey, Dean Edward S. Macias, Ken Keller, Anne Cooper, Karen Rensing, Kathy Loepker

Kathleen Cook
Anthropology
As Academic Coordinator in the Department of Anthropology, Kathleen advises undergraduate majors, works directly with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences to administrate the paperwork of graduate students, and works directly with the Department Chair on a variety of issues, including
space, long-term planning of facilities, and daily management of the department. She has helped create a sense of community for our undergraduates by organizing department events, end of semester gatherings, graduation luncheons, and awards to graduating seniors.

Ann Cooper
Graduate School
In her position as the Registrar in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Ann is dedicated to the graduate students and continuously goes well beyond her job duties to meet their needs. She takes the extra time to advise our international students about the complex paperwork and documentation required for their admission into the University and carefully monitors this process to avoid any serious interruption. Ann is also vigilant with doctoral students that are about to graduate ensuring a smooth transition on to the next phase of their lives.

Julia Hamilton
Physics
Julia is one of the first department members new or prospective graduate students talk to and meet. She also is the person they eventually come to depend on to keep them on track toward their degrees. Not only does she provide them with unfailing kindness and support, but she also is credited often with helping build their confidence. She provides continuity and stability that many find invaluable.

Delores Kennedy
College of Arts & Sciences
Delores has been serving the students and the University for the past twenty years and her contributions have been numerous. She understands the emotional needs of entering freshmen and empathizes with parents and their concerned queries. Delores has also been key in the implementation and management of a four-year advising program, while personally advising approximately 200 students each semester. She is always ready to and willing to help, giving advice and providing support to students and her colleagues.

Kathy Loepker
Romance Languages & Literatures
Kathy performs multiple tasks in an exceptionally courteous and efficient fashion. Amid the daily routine of a large and diverse department Kathy upholds the highest standards of professionalism. Faculty, students, staff, and visitors can be assured that thanks to her reliability, judgment and tact, even the most difficult problems will find a smooth, quick and efficient solution.

Kenneth (Ken) Keller
Arts & Sciences Computing
In his position as Director of Arts & Sciences Computing Systems and Operations, Ken oversees the technological infrastructure essential to the computing needs of all Arts & Sciences faculty, students, and staff. The primary email system, artsci.wustl.edu, hosts over 11,000 accounts. Ken oversees the operations of all Arts & Sciences Computing facilities and services, implements periodic system upgrades to improve reliability and service, provides spam filtering on behalf of all users, and protects artsci.wustl.edu from system hackers and security breaches.

G. R. (Bob) Osburn
Earth & Planetary Sciences
Bob assists faculty members in utilizing the Department's extensive rock and mineral collection for classroom demonstrations and academic laboratory exercises. He assists faculty members in planning field trips, often extending his extensive experience working in rough terrain by joining the faculty and students on these expeditions. Of even greater importance to Earth and Planetary Sciences and to our University are Bob's tireless efforts with the design and implementation of the new $35M Earth and Planetary Science building. He assured that the building plans accommodated the complex needs of the department. Bob provided valuable input, ranging from ceiling screws used to hoist heavy equipment to pointing out possible problems with the foundation based on his detailed examination of the geological borings. Bob provides unique and excellent support for the teaching and research mission of the University.

Karen Rensing
Economics
Karen is devoted to the faculty and students in the Department of Economics. She is the person who fields and resolves problems with the department's office, research, and teaching facilities. Karen knows many of the department's majors personally and does whatever is necessary to assure that our students are well served. She is also responsible for arranging the interview schedule at the department's national meetings and campus recruiting visits for both junior and senior faculty candidates. Karen is a fine ambassador for the department in her contact with those inside and outside of Washington University.

Dean's Award
Regina (Gina) Frey
Teaching Center
As Director of the Teaching Center, Gina strives for new heights in supporting on of the University's most fundamental and important purposes. Gina's focus is on assisting faculty in enhancing their teaching effectiveness by personal consultation of class visits. She also runs the "Teaching with Writing" workshop series for faculty in conjunction with Jim Davis from Political Science. She helps train teaching assistants, serves as the chair of the Classroom Monitoring Committee and has introduced computer-based instructional tools into the undergraduate teaching in Chemistry. Under Gina's leadership, the Teaching Center continues to develop as a critical support system in advancing our most fundamental goals: to provide excellent faculty teaching and student learning.

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