2019 Recipient - Erin Stephens
Erin Stephens’ office door is almost always open. As the director of human resources at the Life Sciences Institute, she strives to provide outstanding service — a quality that led to her winning U-M’s 2019 Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence.
Anna Schork, the managing director of LSI, wrote in a nomination letter that Stephens is both a team player and a leader. She said she “outshines expectations.”
“Over her tenure with LSI, which started with the origination of the institute in 2002, Erin has progressively proven to be an effective, efficient and integral part of the success of our unit,” Schork said.
Read more about Erin in the University Record.
2018 Recipient - Jeff Craft
Jeff is the Chief Administrator for both the Department of the History of Art, and the Department of Classical Studies. Jeff was nominated by Elizabeth Sears, George H. Forsyth Jr. Collegiate Professor of the History of Art and Chair of History of Art and Artemis Leontis, C P Cavafy Professor of Modern Greek and Chair of Classical Studies and Comparative Literature and Chair of Classical Studies.
Many others from across the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts also wrote letters of support for Jeff. In recognizing Jeff, his nominators stated that, “Jeff’s unfailing compassion is certainly one reason why he is so much liked and appreciated in the department. He is kindness personified.”
It was also stated that “Jeff is a math wiz and a very approachable, likable person who shares his knowledge freely and makes others feel happy and competent.” Others wrote:
“Jeff has had a transformative effect on the environment, operating not only as the administrative person, but a/so as a kind of ‘glue’ for the department,”
“He is in many ways the heart and soul of the department. Everyone posses through his office regularly whether to seek counsel and advice, or just to chat. He cares.”
“He has been central to the dramatically increased efficiency and functionality we now enjoy, as well as to an obvious boost in morale among faculty and staff alike.” • “Jeff has been approachable, kind, and willing to go above and beyond to ensure that graduate students in the department have what they need to succeed.”
“Jeff has been more supportive, empathetic & compassionate than I could have imagined...
“Everyone needs a Jeff!”
2017 Recipient - Anna Cihak
Anna Cihak, student administration manager for the LSA Program in Biology and Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, received the Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence for 2017.
In her role, Cihak oversees all functions of undergraduate advising services for 12 majors and minors. Other duties include managing events and communications, providing training for undergraduate support staff and student workers, overseeing the undergraduate budget, and generating reports on student and course data.
Read more about Anna in the University Record.
2016 Recipient - Lisa Dodge
The 2016 winner of the Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence is Lisa Dodge. Lisa is a Student Administrative Assistant Senior at the School of Dentistry. Lisa was nominated by Will Giannobile, Amy Storey, Janet Kinney, Anne Gwozdek, Wendy Kerschbaum, Connie MacKinnon, Elizabeth Pitts, Emily Hill, and Kendall Sattelberg. In recognizing Lisa, her nominators stated that she is a continual source of support for faculty, students, and staff. Lisa is the consummate ambassador for all three of our Dental Hygiene Programs, the School of Dentistry, and the University of Michigan. Her positive attitude and genuine concern for the well-being of others is evident to all who interact with her. The “Lisa Difference” exemplifies the “Michigan Difference.”
Others wrote:
"Lisa is the ultimate team player. She is upbeat, respectful of all, and dedicated to every project, activity, or event. She provides quality service with kindness, respect, and compassion."
"No matter what the project, whether her initiative or not, Lisa gives it her all and shares her enthusiasm with others. This positive approach is contagious and helps to spread comradery among faculty, staff, and students."
"The tone Lisa sets daily reflects a balance of professionalism and warmth. Those with whom she interacts always feel that Lisa genuinely cares about them and that she is willing to help in any way she can."
"Lisa always has an open-door policy. Any time I would see her, she would invite me to stop into her office to catch up and see how I was doing. Lisa is dedicated to helping others and always goes above and beyond."
"A true blessing, Lisa enriches our workplace and personal lives by making sure everything she tackles or encounters is touched with kindness and professionalism."
2015 Recipient -Sylvia Koski
Sylvia Koski
Assistant to the Dean
U-M School of Public Health
Read more about Slyvia in this University Record article.
2014 Recipient - Jan Berry
The following is excerpted from the University Record. Read the full article here.
Jan Berry, a research laboratory specialist senior in Periodontics and Oral Medicine in the School of Dentistry for 38 years, has been selected to receive the 11th annual Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence. Officially retired from Dentistry, Berry currently is a part-time biosafety training specialist in the U-M Office of Research.
In a nomination letter, School of Dentistry Dean Dr. Laurie K. McCauley spoke of the parallels between Berry and Johnson.
"Candy started at the university in 1972, Jan Berry started here as a student in 1971 and on staff in 1978," McCauley said. "Candy worked many years in the Medical School, Jan Berry worked many years in the Medical School. Candy loved this university and inspired those around her. Jan Berry loves this university and continues to inspire those around her. I'm not sure if Jan and Candy ever met, but if they did they would be kindred spirits."
Finalists
- Daniel Miller, LSA Paleontology Museum
- Erin Stephens, Life Sciences Institute
- Brian Wallace, Department of Psychology
2013 Recipient - Candy Ellis
The following is an excerpt from “Engineering staffer to receive Candace J. Johnson award” in the University Record.
Candy Ellis, unit administrator for the Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, College of Engineering, has been selected to receive the 10th annual Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence.
In nomination letters, those who work with Ellis spoke of how she demonstrates strong work qualities, such as initiative, dependability, and commitment.
"Candy is, simply put, an outstanding employee and a key member of the IOE community," said Mark Daskin, Clyde W. Johnson Collegiate Professor of Industrial and Operations Engineering and department chair for IOE. "She is the glue that holds the faculty and staff together."
"Candy has a breadth of knowledge spanning all areas of the department," said Brian Denton, associate professor of industrial and operations engineering. "She is extremely proactive, organized and committed to excellence in her own work, as well as creating an environment for her staff that promotes excellence."
Finalists
2013 Finalists
- Denise Alton
- Irene Esposito
- Jacqueline Blake
- Sherry Cattell
- Robyn Hodges
- Buda Martonyi
- Beth Minors
- Merlis Nolan
- Erin Stephens
- Brian Wallace
- Joseph Zichi
2012 Recipient - Dawn Marie Cooper
The following is an excerpt from “Cooper to receive Johnson staff award” in the University Record.
Lauded as someone devoted to helping the helpers in the Department of Psychiatry, Dawn Marie Cooper has been named the 2012 recipient of the Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for Excellence.
Cooper, assistant residency coordinator in the department, is the ninth recipient of the award.
In nominating letters, those who work with Cooper cited her care and concern for colleagues, her encouragement, positive manner, wisdom and enthusiasm for tackling a range of tasks. They range from leaving the office to secure last-minute parking permits for psychiatry residents to sorting out issues regarding visas for foreign residents.
“Despite having to juggle a variety of tasks and demands, she always would bend over backward to do everything she could to help someone as much and as thoroughly as she could do,” wrote Dr. Chris Anandappa, psychiatry house officer, in his letter nominating Cooper.
Finalists
- Pardip Bolina
- Karen A. Curtis
- Pamela Derry
- Mary Gilbert
- Mary Korr
- Daniel J. Miller
- Catherine Mitchell
- Donna Mulkey
- Merlis Nolan
- Erin Stephens
- Candace Terhune-Flannery
- Ann Vollano
- Brian G. Wallace
2011 Recipient - Stephen McClatchey
Stephen, Manager of Information Technology Services, U-M College of Pharmacy, was nominated by Dean Frank Ascione and fellow faculty and staff members.
In recognizing Stephen, his nominators praised his work and the spirit he brings to it. They wrote:
- Stephen’s professionalism and service ethic make all of our lives better on a daily basis.
- Throughout his career, Stephen has persistently performed at our highest level and is widely respected among our staff and faculty for his positive attitude, leadership, and willingness to address their IT needs.
- The smooth operation of our IT systems and the prompt resolution of any problems are a direct reflection of his performance and the performance of the team he leads.
- Through Stephen’s willingness to collaborate, share his knowledge, and encouragement to be
- proactive, he has made a positive and measurable impact on the information security efforts not
- only within the College of Pharmacy, but also in other collaborating units.
- The College of Pharmacy is highly dependent on employees who are creative and are self-starters, and Stephen has both of these characteristics.
- I have been extremely impressed with his ability to bring a sense of customer service and excellence to our IT services. In addition to his own personal performance excellence, he has inspired his colleagues to do the same.
- We are appreciative of his innovativeness and determination in finding solutions.
- Stephen is always upbeat and constructive, which greatly impacts the people around him and enhances his effectiveness.
- Stephen’s contagious optimism was always a dependable source of encouragement, even through some very challenging periods.
- The dynamic between Stephen and his employees promotes a positive atmosphere -- one that is conducive to a strong work ethic and a camaraderie between employees.
- He is truly committed to excellence, and ensures that each of his staff members has the support, resources, and encouragement that they need to reach those heights.
- Stephen embodies the spirit of this award, and his workplace ethic and hard work deserve recognition.
2011 Finalists
- Roger Arnett
- Devyn Baker
- Patricia Brainard
- Lynne Crandall
- Nancy Harris
- Janie Knieper
- Susan Monroe
- Antoinette Morales
- Laura Reynolds
2010 Recipient - Mary Ceccanese
Mary Ceccanese, Research Process Coordinator of the Office of Tax Policy Research, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, was nominated by Jane Dutton, the Robert L Kahn Distinguished University Professor of Business. Here is an excerpt from “Ceccanese to receive Johnson staff award
” University Record announcement.
Praised for facilitating high-quality connections among U-M employees, Mary Ceccanese has been named the 2010 recipient of the Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for Excellence.
Ceccanese, research process coordinator of the Office of Tax Policy Research at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, will receive the award during a Jan. 25 ceremony at the Ross School of Business.
In the 22 years Ceccanese has worked at U-M, she has expanded her job to become a change agent and educator, in the university and beyond, about the importance of creating and sustaining connections between the staff and faculty, managers and staff, and various other employee groups, colleagues say.
She actively participates in Voices of the Staff, a volunteer-based program offering U-M staff members an opportunity to share ideas and define the campus community issues that matter most to them. She also is involved in the design and delivery of training workshops, mentoring relationships with staff in a variety of units, and the development of original tools for creating positive workplaces. Four years ago Ceccanese initiated a task force at the Ross School called FAST Connections, which promotes high-quality relationships between faculty and staff.
“At this point, it is clear that Mary is providing a highly impactful experience for staff,” Jane Dutton, Robert L. Kahn Distinguished University Professor of Business at the Ross School and LSA, wrote in a nomination letter. “In fact, word of mouth about the value of the workshops has spread, with other groups including an educational institution, a media company and the Michigan Assisted Living Association requesting the workshops. She has taught me an amazing amount about how to deliver these ideas with impact in a context (staff-faculty relations) that really matters.”
Finalists
- Lorna M. Altstetter
- Sondra Auerbach
- Amy Buege
- Brian Bush
- Vicki Davinich
- Linda Fink
- Harry Granito
- Judith Gray
- Angela Haley
- Janie Knieper
- Judy Lawson
- Karen Liska
- Stephen McClatchey
- Ann Schafenacker
- Carol Ziegler
- Erin Zimmer
