Each year, the Dean of the College of Letters & Science offers five awards recognizing outstanding performance, service, and contributions by L&S University Staff members.
The L&S University Staff Awards honor staff members for their excellence in the following areas: effectiveness, innovation, creativity, originality, leadership, climate, and service to the university. We salute and offer congratulations to the winners of the 2023-24 awards:
EXEMPT
Peter Haney
Administrative Manager
Chican@ & Latin@ Studies Program
Without Peter Haney’s behind-the-scenes work as administrative manager, the Department of Chican@ & Latin@ Studies would not be the well-oiled machine that it is. Haney plays a central role in the complicated web of communication between colleagues and the campus community, making him the linchpin for everything CLS. He continuously shows initiative by seeking opportunities to develop his skills through workshops and seminars.
“Peter does not shy away from the hard work or conversations often necessary to achieve program goals. I admire his initiative and willingness to learn about ever-changing processes and policies that impact our program,” said Armando Ibarra, a professor in the School for Workers and Chican@ and Latin@ Studies (CLS). “He is the go-to person in our unit with any questions on administrative or curricular development processes.”
As the department began developing a course assessment plan, Haney eagerly began navigating a system to track student learning outcomes, generate reports and provide data for the program, including feedback for the instructor. His official role consists of planning course offerings, managing a budget, and providing all the logistics for the program's committees. But Haney’s dedication touches all the students and faculty affiliated with the program.
“Peter is extremely dedicated to creating a warm and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds,” said Lori Lopez, the Director of the Asian American Studies Program. “This is a core value of all of our ethnic studies programs, due to the fact that our programs were founded with the goal of providing a safe and inclusive space for students of color to learn about the histories and cultures of their own people.”
Outside of CLS, Haney chairs the College of Letters and Science’s University Staff Issues Committee and the University Staff Shared Governance’s Personnel, Policies, Procedures, and Communications committee, allowing him to better understand the inner workings of the university.
NON-EXEMPT
Emily Bennin
Financial Specialist III
Department of Chemistry
Without supplies and equipment, researchers would never make important scientific discoveries. As the Financial Specialist III in the Department of Chemistry, Emily Bennin has transformed the way research groups do their work through the purchasing process. She collaborates with researchers to ensure a highly functioning work environment and is the “definition of a problem solver.”
“Emily is the department's expert when it comes to purchasing virtually anything, from the smallest ten-dollar chemical to the largest multi million dollar equipment,” said Gilbert Nathanson, a professor of chemistry. “There is a common saying in our department, ‘Just Ask Emily.’ When you get stuck on an order, when the purchase request is returned, when you have a question about shop@UW+, and when you just don't know.”
As a large, public research institution, UW-Madison researchers are subject to a wide array of regulations with layers of accountability and rules, especially around purchasing. Students — who may be encountering this purchasing process for the first time — are tasked with handling large purchases costing thousands of dollars from multiple vendors. This can be a daunting task.
Even with systems that Bennin does not routinely use, she is able to help. Many of her colleagues have benefited from Bennin’s expertise when it comes to navigating systems, whether that be purchasing chemicals or vacuum pumps. From general lab supplies to large equipment purchases, global supply chain issues have caused delays. But Bennin works endlessly to monitor these orders to ensure they stay on track.
“Emily is always responsive, always helpful, and always attentive to details,” said Susanna Widicus Weaver, the Vozza Professor of Chemistry and Astronomy in the department. “Simply put, I could not operate my research group without her help.”
Rebecca Forbes Wank
Financial Specialist
Department of German, Nordic and Slavic+
Rebecca Forbes Wank is all about improving her department’s processes, whether through training sessions or external research. She also works tirelessly to ease the burden of others.
In the midst of the department’s search for an administrator, Jolanda Vanderwal Taylor, the chair and a professor in the Department of German, Nordin and Slavic+ was impressed by the ways Wank stepped up to help. She took on tasks that the department administrator otherwise would have, which included learning new software applications and collaborating with Taylor to navigate an uncertain time. Throughout the process of advising, brainstorming and troubleshooting, Wank’s ability to communicate clearly and with grace was invaluable.
“Rebecca has an earnest desire to support the department, and that attitude is noticeable and infectious,” said Nick Schultz, the department’s administrator. “Departmental faculty and staff can recognize that desire to help, and they know that Rebecca will go the extra mile to pitch in. Rebecca helps build community and displays it in both word and action.”
Just last year Wank took on the task of learning Smartsheet, a work management program. Members of the department with gift funds to spend lacked the sheets needed to be as efficient as possible. Wank began attending training sessions, researching a variety of templates and started creating sheets for the faculty members. This is just one example of the immense contributions that have been made to the department through her commitment to expanding her knowledge of programs.
Even more notably, her humor, personable personality and patience allows her to work with everyone and anyone. Whether it is advising her coworkers on how to be better plant parents or sharing her musical skills at department functions, Wank will always show up with a cheerful smile on her face.
“The positive effect of her commitment to giving clear, patient, and timely explanations—graciously repeated, as needed, in welcoming ways that put others at ease—is hard to fully plumb,” said Thomas A. DuBois, a professor in the department. “It’s an important contribution toward a positive workplace climate in our department, and I’m perpetually grateful for her patience and her expertise.”
Marrion Ladd
Financial Specialist III (Administrator)
Center for the Humanities
With her extensive knowledge from decades of working at UW-Madison and her go-getter yet kind attitude, it’s easy to see why colleagues describe it as being an “honor and privilege” to work with Marrion Ladd.
“It’s not just that Marrion Ladd expertly handles a complex web of administrative and financial details that are crucial to the smooth running of the CFH and its public-facing programs,” said Russ Castronovo, the center’s director and Tom Paine Professor of English. “It’s that she makes it a joy for everyone who interacts with our unit: She is bright, personable, and warm, and she expresses real solicitude for everyone.”
For Castronovo, a key factor in taking on his role as CFH director was Ladd. Her “trademark patience and knowledge” gave him confidence to embark on this journey. People not only seek Ladd out for advice but put the utmost trust in her. She seamlessly takes care of everything from reimbursement questions to hiring processes and room scheduling.
“Marrion Ladd is the backbone of our center. As the center’s administrator overseeing all financial, administrative, human resources, and payroll functions, she is the glue that holds our many programs and workshops together,” said Cindy I-Fen Cheng, the interim director for the center and a professor of Asian American Studies. “Her attention to detail, diligence in staying up-to-date on the latest policies, and ability to communicate effectively have made her the most indispensable staff member of the center.”
BLUE COLLAR OR TECHNICAL
Joel Lord
Instrument Maker
Department of Integrative Biology
Joel Lord is the man behind the magic–the magic of design and instrument making, that is. From manufacturing engaging science class demonstrations to creating the research tools needed to make incredible discoveries — Lord handles it all, leveraging a solution-oriented mindset and decades of experience as a machinist.
“Joel Lord has been an invaluable asset to the Biocore Program, implementing his technical know-how, creative abilities, and can-do attitude to make teaching innovations possible in Noland Hall,” said Seth McGee, a teaching and learning specialist in the Biocore Department. “In the ever-evolving field of biology education, having the tools to innovate is critical to progress. Joel literally brings his tools to the table as we develop new ideas for the curriculum in Biocore.”
Through his ability to craft and repair items, like a hydraulic system used to explain biophysical concepts to students, Lord’s unequivocal commitment to the Department of Integrative Biology is undeniable. He supports both research and teaching aspects of the department's mission through creative, talented fabrication and infrastructural work.
Given the most vague description of a vision or goal, Lord independently designs a solution to unique problems that otherwise would go unsolved. At a University that takes pride in innovation through teaching and learning, Lord and his work allows students and faculty to live out the Wisconsin Idea by giving them the physical tools to do so.
“Joel is a genuinely nice person with an incredibly good work ethic. Everyone in the department knows that Joel has an open door policy and enjoys doing things to improve everyone’s lives,” said Nazan Gillie, the department’s academic program director. “He is always pleasant and respectful and an exemplary member of our community. We are incredibly lucky to have someone like him who is so amazingly talented and so down to earth.”