2002 Research Staff Recognition Awards

Distinguished Research Administrator Award

Linda Peasley, Basic Science Administrator for the Department of Human Genetics in the Medical School, has worked at the University since 1977 and for the past 14 years in her current position. In supporting her nomination for the award, Peasley was praised for greatly improving the performance of all kinds of administrative tasks related to research during a period when the Department's research portfolio and number of faculty and graduate students grew more than 50 percent. She has also played an important role in supporting faculty recruitment and helping new faculty establish research programs. Peasley has also made valuable contributions to the Medical School and the rest of campus through her service on a number of important committees and task forces. She holds both an Associates in Business Administration and Bachelors in Business Administration degrees from Cleary Business College.
She demonstrates that uncommon quality of truly caring about not only her own performance, but also the success of faculty and the students in the Department. She has a knack for setting an optimistic "can-do" attitude, establishing an atmosphere of teamwork and defining a niche of responsibility for each person on the team. She is known and respected campus-wide for her dedication to the University at large and is respected for her professionalism and her ability to mentor those around her.

Laurie Staples, Assistant Director of the Survey Research Center (SRC), the largest center in the Institute for Social Research, has exhibited "exceptional and distinguished service, leadership and accomplishment," say her nominators. Staples joined the SRC in 1989 as Administrative Manager and became Assistant Director in 1994. From 1964 to 1989, she held a series of administrative positions in Hospital Financial Operations and Ambulatory Care Services Administration at the UM Medical Center. Staples has earned a reputation for her extensive efforts to improve both administration of the SRC and the work environment for the investigators and other staff. Staples devotion to excellence extends to other parts of the ISR and the University, as she has contributed enthusiastically to many committees, through which she has helped better research administration across the institution. She received a B.S. degree in Health Administration from Eastern Michigan University and an M.S.A. in Health Administration from Central Michigan University.
Her passion and support for the science conducted in her unit is unmatched. She has keen insight, is energetic and is a dedicated, hands-on employee who is highly regarded for her contributions. Her work has contributed to the success and excellence of her unit but also to the development of research administration throughout the University.

Virginia Wait, Department Administrator for the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering, is celebrating 30 years of service to the University. She began her work career in 1972 at the Mental Health Research Institute. In 1983, she became Administrator for the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. In 1989, Wait moved to her current position in Engineering, where she serves as the senior non-academic administrator. She oversees a staff of 15 which supports more than 100 instructional and research faculty, some 600 graduate students, 1000 undergraduates, and a research program that includes 10 research laboratories and spends about $35 million annually. Wait has become a key asset and "go-to" expert in all aspects of research administration -- not only for her department, but for the College of Engineering and other areas of the University as well. Her devotion and energy are well known, as is her humane manner. Wait received B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Michigan and is working on her Ph.D. in higher education administration.
She is generous with her time and expertise to all who meet with her, and she is able to maintain her sense of humor even in very trying circumstances. She is a superb role mode for all research administrators at the U of M and an incredible asset for the College and the University, and an exemplary university citizen.

OVPR Exceptional Service Award

Karis Crawford, Program Associate for the Arts of Citizenship Program, has proven herself to be an indispensable valuable asset to the success of this young and unique experimental program. Crawford joined Arts of Citizenship in 1998 and is responsible for grantwriting, publicity and general administrative oversight. Prior to her current position, she worked at the University in human resources management, as an instructor in the English Department, and a research editor for the Middle English Dictionary project. Crawford has also been involved in research on community service learning in the humanities, something that has served her well at the Arts of Citizenship Program. She received an A.B. degree from the University of Detroit, an M.S. from the University of Toronto, an M.S.L. from the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies in Toronto, and a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in Medieval Literature.
She brings to the job a rare combination of administrative care, good judgment, foresight, communication skills, and energy. She is steady and unflappable, personally attentive and able to make complex things seem easy. She has been indispensable to the growth and success of the Arts of Citizenship Program.

Lee Katterman, Assistant to the Vice President for Research, joined the University in 1983 as a writer for Research News, a publication of the Division of Research Development and Administration. He held that position until 1996, when he moved to the Office of Research to become Coordinator of Research Communications. In 1999, he was promoted to his current position, which has tapped every bit of his versatility. Katterman has been called on to help plan and execute conferences and meetings of all kinds, guide the preparation of a variety of special-purpose publications, and produce videotape programs about University research. He has received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Michigan.
He has a broad range of skills and knowledge of the university community and culture and a brilliant touch for effective communication to many different types of audiences. He always displays a unique brand of graceful good humor and geniality. He has the energy, enthusiasm, commitment that are the essential ingredients to make good things happen!