2005-06 Outstanding Staff Awards
Congratulations to 2005-06 Arts & Sciences Outstanding Staff Award Winners.
Back row: Vicky May, Tamara Casanova, Bob Chapman, Hugh Chou, Nanette Tarbouni
Front row: Ed Macias, Sharon Stahl, Judy Ruhland, Ellen Feinstein
Tamara Casanova
Philosophy
As Office Manager for the Department of Philosophy, Tamara Casanova provides exceptional support for all faculty and graduate students. She is responsible for monitoring all of the department's operating expenses, tracking research accounts, making arrangements for visiting speakers at conferences and colloquia, and for overseeing grants. Tamara also plays a very important role in faculty and graduate recruitment. She schedules convention interviews and helps plan graduate recruitment weekend. In all of this, Tamara is unfailingly cheerful and brings a remarkable level of intelligence and thought to her work. She is professional and efficient, yet accommodating of everyone's needs.
Bob Chapman
Arts & Sciences Computing
Bob, Assistant Director of Academic Services for Arts & Sciences Computing, is an invaluable resource for faculty and staff with computer concerns. His patience and optimistic attitude are appreciated by all that he works with. He continues to support the computer needs for several departments within Arts & Sciences and has also been an immense contributor as a trainer. He has led workshops such as Microsoft mail merge, emailing and detecting plagiarism. Bob has made outstanding creative contributions to Arts & Sciences.
Hugh Chou
Earth & Planetary Sciences
Hugh manages to deal simply and quickly with a variety of issues. He has been a tremendous help to faculty and staff in the department from troubleshooting problems with classroom audio visual equipment to assisting with any personal computer issues. The faculty and staff admire Hugh for his friendly attitude and his optimistic outlook towards solving any computer problems that arise and anticipating any updates that need to be installed. The Earth & Planetary Sciences Department credits the smooth operation of their computer systems to Hugh. He is an invaluable resource who makes the extra effort to ensure things run smoothly throughout the department.
Ellen Feinstein
Germanic Languages and Literatures
Ellen joined the staff of the German Department in 1988 as the Editorial Assistant to Mike Lützeler. Thanks to her diligence, her timely completion of the requisite work as well as her dedication to the work at hand the German Quarterly always appeared on time. When the editorship of the Quarterly ended Ellen accepted the position as Administrative Assistant of the European Studies program. She helped all students with their records, assisted with budget issues and preparations of international conferences. Ellen, who is conversant in English, German, French and Polish is able to speak to visitors in their native languages assisting them in finding their way around St. Louis and the Washington University campus. Ellen's tactful and editorial support is now being put to use as she is currently the editorial assistant for the yearbook, "Gegenwartsliteratur".
Vicky May
Biology
Vicky does a wonderful job of promoting Arts & Sciences' mission to the St. Louis community through her position as Director of Science Outreach. In this role, she works closely with our science faculty, especially in Biology, to improve teaching and learning in K-12 schools in the surrounding areas. Vicki is a strong believer in the power of partnerships among universities, local science education organizations, teachers, and schools to help all students learn science through investigation and exploration. Her efforts to bring both students and teachers to the Danforth Campus, to introduce them to Washington University and Arts & Sciences, and to encourage our own faculty to collaborate in exciting outreach efforts deserves recognition.
Judy Ruhland
Performing Arts
Judy is the first person prospective students and families meet when they enter the Department of Performing Arts. She combines graciousness and warmth while making all visitors to the department feel welcome. She combines a genuine love of what we do with a respect for the faculty and students alike. Judy's manner and style is always enthusiastic, caring and devoted. She is a terrific recruiter and an excellent ambassador for Washington University.
Sharon Stahl
College of Arts & Sciences
In her role as Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Sharon is tireless in her efforts to assist as a four-year advisor. She loves working with the students and gives them 100%. Sharon takes an active role as the liaison between Arts & Sciences and the Admissions Office. She makes herself available for prospective students and their families and she is particularly valuable during April Welcome, the Discovery Weekends, and other significant events held by the Admissions Office. In addition, she oversees the Honorary Scholars Program, which includes the Danforth Scholars Program, as well as the Compton, Moog, Mylonas, and Lien Scholars Programs. But Sharon is probably most closely identified with her work as the Director of the Life Sciences Pre-Professional program and the advising of students applying to medical school. Her efforts have resulted in an impressive acceptance rate of our students making professional school application.
Dean's Award
Nanette Tarbouni
Admissions Office
It is critical in Arts & Sciences that we continue to attract bright and talented students who will light up our classrooms for our faculty and who will also be engaged and involved in the greater community. Nanette and her colleagues must select a freshman class of 1300 or so from an applicant pool of over 20,000. They have a tough and very important job - and Nanette does this with intelligence, grace under pressure, hard work and good humor. Nanette has worked at Washington University, in the Admissions Office, for more than 20 years. She is committed to Washington University and to helping Arts & Sciences and the University recruit the best and brightest students in the world. These students are the fundamental core of Arts & Sciences and they all pass through the Admissions Office and they all know Nanette.
