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NEWS SERVICES |
NEWS
| For immediate use |
Aug. 4, 2003 -- No. 393 |
Photo note: To download photos, see the end of the release
5 named Chancellor's Award winners
By SUSAN PHILLIPS
News Services
CHAPEL HILL-- They are all leaders at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but together they prove that leadership can be as diverse as imagination itself.
One has inspired his co-workers with his work ethic and talent for 50 years
while undertaking some of the most dangerous jobs on campus.
Another has made his mark in much less time by dramatically improving staff
morale with his good humor and unselfish attitude.
One is crucial to the daily operation of the school in which she works - and
to its special activities as well.
Another is a successful advocate for preschool and early school-aged children -- and their programs -- in North Carolina and the nation.
A fifth nurtures the health of Carolina's student population, working to ensure that their goals and lifestyles are not compromised by physical conditions.
Together, they comprise this year's recipients of Carolina's Chancellor's Award:
The five were recognized for meritorious or distinguished accomplishments in
the categories of devotion to duty, innovations, public service, safety/heroism,
human relations or other achievements. Recipients also become Governor's Award
nominees.
The winners, who receive a monetary award of $1,000 and a special leave award of 24 hours, will be recognized with framed certificates at an August luncheon with Chancellor James Moeser.
Assistant to the dean in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Bass has been described as "the key to the daily operation" of the school. In daily operations she's detail-oriented and a master of multitasking, and she manages to make the time to handle Dean Richard Cole's most important annual project, his "Mass Communication in Mexico and Cuba" class. According to her nominating materials, Bass "keeps on learning and keeps on innovating and keeps on being absolutely essential to the school's excellence. She is nothing short of splendid." And she does it all with "good humor and a quick wit and smile."
Senior scientist at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center and research associate professor in the School of Education, Clifford's accomplishments have dramatically changed services for young children in North Carolina. In 1993-94, on a year's leave of absence from Carolina, he served as the first director of the N.C. Division of Child Development, where he helped to design and implement Smart Start. In addition, he is co-author of early childhood and infant toddler environment rating scales which are used "all over the world to help evaluate and improve child-care classrooms and are now being used throughout North Carolina in the new system of rated licenses for child-care centers."
Associate director of the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Gotwals has garnered praise from students and employees alike for the way he has improved morale, and brought new science classes and seminars to the center and for the development of the new summer camp program. In addition to motivating his employees "to work harder by his example," he is "a true educator" who volunteered in his free time to teach the first undergraduate sign language class at Carolina. The class, originally intended for 15 students, was opened up at Gotwals' request and ended up with 45 enthusiastic students. One wrote, "He is truly everything that a professor should be, and more."
Tree surgeon in the Grounds Department of Facilities Services, Hubbard has been with Carolina for 50 years, and that achievement was recognized this year with a new Grounds building that, once completed, will be named for him. "The trees of the campus … serve as a testament to his work," his nominating materials said. "Whether he is plowing snow, or planting new trees, pruning boxwoods or re-shaping a 100-foot oak tree, it is all done with the same positive attitude, tireless efficiency and dogged determination to quality work. … And through it all, "he makes it look easy."
Clinical medicine physician with Student Health Service for 15 years, Vimmerstedt has been involved in a number of programs that have improved health care for the student population. She was instrumental in setting up the International Travel Clinic and taking charge of the Code Committee that helps assure that all staff are properly trained to handle any emergent patient situation.
But it is her work with the complexity of care for diabetic students that has garnered her the most praise. She has set up a program that offers diabetic patients nutritional counseling, nursing care and psychological counseling. In addition, she has developed support groups and exercise groups for these students. "Her compassion, dedication and initiative have gone above and beyond her job description" to significantly improve the quality of care to the university's students.
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Contact: Mike McFarland, 919-962-8593
