Recipients of 2009 USM Regents' Staff Awards Announced

Recipients of 2009 USM Regents' Staff Awards Announced

Adelphi, Md. (Sept. 18, 2009) -University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Chairman Clifford Kendall and USM Chancellor William E. Kirwan honored winners of the 2009 USM Regents' Staff Awards during today's board meeting at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The awards recognize staff members who have made exceptional contributions to their organizations, students and the university community.

Award winners are selected based on nominations and letters of support from colleagues, culminating in a formal recommendation from the Council of University System Staff, which provides non-faculty USM employees with a voice in system governance.

"The Regents' Staff Awards represent the highest honor bestowed by the regents for achievements of employees of USM institutions," Chairman Kendall said.

Each award carries a $1,000 prize, provided by the institutions and the University System of Maryland Foundation.

The following USM staff members were honored:

Regents' Staff Award for Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment

Exempt: Raft Woodus, director of Student Success Programs in the Center for Student Diversity at Towson University. Mr. Woodus was recognized for his work in helping to eliminate the achievement gap that impacts affects under-represented students.

Non-Exempt: Mary Leeper, an administrative assistant in the Office of Student Affairs/Student Government Association at Towson University.

Regents' Staff Award for Exceptional Contribution to the Institution or Unit

Exempt: Vassie Hollamon, associate director of Operations and Maintenance at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Mr. Hollamon has initiated programs to reduce the campus carbon footprint, reducing waste and increasing recycling by 20 percent.

Non-Exempt: Ralph Murphy, teaching lab technician in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Mr. Murphy has served UMBC for 27 years and played a critical role in helping students succeed academically, keeping university grounds clean and supporting athletic teams.

Regents' Staff Award for Extraordinary Public Service to the University or to the Greater Community

Exempt: Marty Newman, assistant director of delegated procurement, Department of Procurement and Supply at the University of Maryland, College Park. Ms. Newman was recognized for her community efforts to fight crime, feed the needy and provide needed materials to area schools.

Non-Exempt: Connie Mitchell, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) School of Pharmacy, Maryland Poison Center. Ms. Mitchell was recognized for her work inside the School of Pharmacy and her contributions to the Baltimore community. After the tragic loss of her son, who was murdered in 2003, Ms. Mitchell has worked diligently to identify and support at-risk youth in Baltimore City. She started a scholarship in her son's name which has awarded more than $5,500 in awards to nine Baltimore city high school seniors.

Contact: Anne Moultrie
Phone: 301.445.2722
Email: amoultrie@usmd.edu