FAS Administrative, Professional Prizes Honor Staff

The 1998 Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Administrative and Professional Prize winners and nominees were honored at a reception last Thursday at the Faculty Club.

The prize of $5,000 was awarded to four FAS staff members: Rosemary Green, associate director of admissions and acting director of advanced standing; Thurston Smith, senior associate registrar and secretary to the Administrative Board; Susan Vacca, associate director and librarian in the Office of Career Services; and Ronald Levesque, superintendent of Quincy House.

FAS Dean Jeremy Knowles praised the prize award as "a chance to honor the most committed staff people." The prize is to be used for travel during a one-month paid leave. The endowment, established in 1994 by an anonymous Harvard College alumnus and his wife, recognizes current staff members of the FAS who have outstanding records of performance and who have made extraordinary contributions to the FAS above and beyond the immediate requirements of their positions. The prize competition is open to exempt staff who have served the FAS for at least five years. The four winners were among 26 staff members nominated for the award.

Rosemary Green was selected for the range of contributions she has made as a quiet yet strong leader both within the admissions office as director of transfer admissions and in the FAS. Director of Admissions Marlyn McGrath Lewis noted that among GreenÕs most valuable roles has been "her willingness to coach others and to support the careers of some of our most valuable colleagues." GreenÕs nominator, Elisabeth Swain, noted GreenÕs leadership in the broader FAS community, particularly with the FAS Exempt Longer Service Advisory Committee.

Thurston Smith was recognized for his versatility and his multiple contributions to the FAS. He has willingly accepted new roles within the College with enthusiasm and high energy, taking responsibility for the Student Disability Center, serving twice as acting registrar, and serving as special assistant to the Dean of the College. Smith now serves as secretary to the Administrative Board as well as senior associate registrar and director of transfer students. The selection committee also acknowledged his reputation as a mentor and role model for the staff in the FAS, and in particular the personal investment he has made in advising and supporting members of the UnivesityÕs gay community, faculty, staff, and students.

Susan Vacca began her career at Harvard in the College Library and now serves as librarian and associate director in the Office of Career Services. Her nominators, Carolann Brockett and Stacey Collins, stated, "Susan is a positive, supportive, even-handed, and creative role model for all those who work with her." Her leadership Ñ particularly during the transition to a new director Ñ was strongly noted. Vacca also chairs the College Professional Development Committee, demonstrating not only her outstanding leadership but also her commitment to create programs that support the performance and the development of College staff.

Ronnie Levesque plays a very different role from the other three nominees, making a unique contribution to the life of the students and to the houses through his role as superintendent. His supervisor Robert Mortimer described him as, "one of the best of the many who I've had the good fortune to have work for me." Mortimer added, "his natural warmth and innate sense of fairness is always apparent," and he spoke about LevesqueÕs contributions on several committees where he would always think beyond the needs of his own house. Levesque is the only superintendent who resides in his house. According to the house master, Michael Shinagel, "Ronnie is literally on call every day and every hour of the week to students, tutors, faculty, and staff." Shinagel also notes LevesqueÕs modesty, and says his "winning disposition has earned him the respect and affection of generations of students and faculty."

Nominees

The 26 nominees honored have worked at Harvard from 5 1/2 to 31 1/2 years. The nominees were: Joshua Blatt, Financial Office; Barbara Cerva, Biological Laboratories; Abigail Collins, Center for European Studies; Jerome Connors, Chemistry; Marcia Dambry, History and Literature; Gerard Denault, Freshman Seminar Program; Lauren Dougherty, Athletics; David Lawrence Evans, Department of Admissions and Financial Aid; Carolyn Fawcett, Widener Library; David Foster, Harvard Forest; Nancy Galluccio, College Observatory; Sandra Godfrey, Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Susan Halpert, Houghton Library; Georgene Herschbach, College Life and Student Services; Arthur Hock, History; Judith Klasson, Slavic Language and Literature; Christine McFadden, History of American Civilization; Diana Morse, Society of Fellows; Nancy Sommers, Expository Writing; Kristin Sorenson, University Development Office; Jay Taft, Organismic & Evolutionary Biology; and Jeffrey Wolcowitz, Undergraduate Education.

The next FAS Administrative/Professional Prize selection will be held in 2000. Nominations will be solicited in the fall of 1999. As Dean Knowles offered at the reception, "renominations are always encouraged."