Models of Excellence
Congratulations to this year's Models of Excellence winners! The 2012 award winners include 22 Models of Excellence honorees, 3 Model Supervisor finalists, and a team of 28 Commitment to Excellence honorees. Join us on April 24 to celebrate their accomplishments at the Models of Excellence Awards Ceremony.
Components of the Models of Excellence Program
2012 Award Winners
2012 Nominees
Awards Ceremony and Reception
2012 Selection Committee
Click below for information about the standards, nomination process and awards for each Models of Excellence component program, and for details about former winners and nominees.
- Models of Excellence Award – Introduced in 1999, this component of the program recognizes notable staff member accomplishments at Penn that reflect initiative, leadership, increased efficiency and a deep commitment to service.
- Commitment to Excellence – Introduced in 2004, this component provides leadership with a vehicle for recognizing outstanding commitment to the University in times of unprecedented, extraordinary situations.
- Model Supervisor Award – Introduced
in 2007, this component honors "model" supervisors for the behaviors that make them successful and constructive contributors to Penn's success.
According to feedback, the Models of Excellence program has met its goals. Staff members say they feel more connected to Penn's successes. In addition to affecting those who are recognized each year, this program touches those who have been nominated, those who submit nominations and references, those who work with the honorees, and family members and friends of the honorees. They all are invited to the award ceremony and reception in the spring to celebrate the accomplishments of their colleagues. And, in keeping with the goal to provide models for others to emulate, this program includes broad publicity about the annual Models of Excellence honorees and their achievements.
If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at or 215-898-1012.
The Committee selected the following five nominations to honor this year. They were chosen for making significant contributions to the University that embody the standards of excellence for this program, including creativity, leadership, extraordinary service and cost-effectiveness.
Models of Excellence
The Global Activities Registry Team—This team developed the Global Activities Registry to support and shepherd the Penn community through international activities. Team members include:
- Cara Bonnington, Office of International Programs
- Jim Cunningham, Perelman School of Medicine
- Ben Evans, Division of Finance
- Barbara Gorka, Office of International Programs
- Erika Gross, University Life
- Charles Harvey, Information Systems & Computing
- Edda Katz, Information Systems & Computing
- Jamie Keane, Information Systems & Computing
- Jen Miller, Business Services
Deborah Marshall, School of Arts and Sciences—Deborah reinvigorated the grant management activities in the School of Arts and Sciences.
Lucy Wolf Tuton, Perelman School of Medicine—Lucy created a multidisciplinary academic and community partnership program to provide health-related services to underserved populations.
Honorable Mention
Jeff Ballentine, Information Systems & Computing—Jeff independently resolved the challenges faced by the Penn community when connecting to our wireless network.
Load Serving Entity Campus Energy Management Program Team—This team established and oversaw a unique, cost-saving "Load Serving Entity" to manage Penn's electricity needs. Team members include:
- Marilyn Jost, Facilities & Real Estate Services
- Jonathan Klein, Facilities & Real Estate Services
- Gerald McGillian, Facilities & Real Estate Services
- William McKeaney, Facilities & Real Estate Services
- Kenneth Ogawa, Facilities & Real Estate Services
- Michael Stack, Facilities & Real Estate Services
- Eric Swanson, Facilities & Real Estate Services
- Jee He Kim, Division of Finance
- Helen Kreider, Division of Finance
- Roman Petyk, President's Center
2012 Models of Excellence Award nominees
You're encouraged to join us as we celebrate these individuals and their accomplishments. The Models of Excellence Awards Ceremony and Reception will take place on April 24, 2012 from 4pm–6pm in Irvine Auditorium*. Get a glimpse of the excitement by browsing through our Models of Excellence photo gallery. If you have questions or would like to attend, contact Human Resources at QOWL@hr.upenn.edu or 215-898-1012.
*Please note the change in date and location. The Models of Excellence Awards Ceremony and Reception were originally scheduled for April 3 in the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
Gregory Rost, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Office of the President
Thomas Robertson, Ph.D., Dean, The Wharton School
Joshua Piven, Writer to the Provost, Provost's Office
Pat Burns, Director, Human Resources, School of Arts & Sciences
Chereese Martin, Director, Human Resources, Facilities & Real Estate Services
Janice Orlov, Budget Director, The Wharton School
Suzanne Oh, Treasurer, Weekly Paid Staff Assembly
Ty Furman, Former Models of Excellence Winner
Caroline Gloria Glickman, Former Models of Excellence Winner
Kathleen M. Thomas, Former Models of Excellence Winner
Janet Tomcavage, CMP, Former Models of Excellence Winner