2007
Individual 
International Students & Human Services

Stephen McWilliams

The Distinguished Service for an Individual was presented to Stephen McWilliams, director of International Students and Human Services.  Steve was praised as “a constant companion to the stranger and to those in need of special care and facilities [who] has helped many to become active members of the student body and the community-at-large.” He is an advocate for those with disabilities and also provides invaluable assistance to international students as they meet the challenges of becoming a part of the community.  He was described as personifying “the spirit of St. Augustine.”

2007
Team
The Learning Communities Platform Team

The Learning Communities Platform Team received the Distinguished Service Award for a Team for their extraordinary work in implement the plan to have first year students live in the same residence halls as their classmates in their freshmen seminar class, Augustine and Culture Seminar (ACS). This involved the extremely complicated task of coordinating the students’ schedules with their housing assignments and also scheduling the ACS sections and faculty by residence halls. The work of the team provides the students with a “unique and vibrant curricular and co-curricular experience.” 

2006

The Distinguished Service Award was not awarded in 2006. The Selection Committee decided that since the award is so closely associated with St. Thomas of Villanova Day that it would be appropriate to defer the award since this year we will be celebrating as a community the
inauguration of Father Peter Donohue as our 32^nd president.

2005
Individual 
Office of Facilities Management

Elizabeth DiRita
 

    Betty DiRita is more than the “kind, melodic voice” of the Facilities Department; she is the primary point of contact with the department for faculty, staff and students alike. She receives all telephonic and electronic requests for service, whether they be emergencies or routine requests, prioritizes them, and dispatches the proper members of the Facilities staff to do the work. In the six years since the web based work order system was introduced, Betty has processed more than 66,500 work requests, generated from 172 departments.
    Betty is dedicated to continuous process improvement and is a thoughtful advocate for change within the department. She is constantly looking for ways to improve service.  Her coordination role is particularly evident in the summer when so much work has to be done by so many different groups of tradesmen and contractors in such a short period of time —“and she gets it done correctly and on time.”
    She represents her department on many committees supporting campus-wide events because of her reputation for getting things done.  Betty volunteers for Alumni Weekend, Homecoming, St. Thomas of Villanova Day, and other events. At Orientation she welcomes the new students and fosters in them the feeling that Villanova is their home away from home and provides them with vital information which will aid them in making the most of the Villanova Experience.
    Betty’s performance far exceeds expectations. As one nominator wrote, Betty “exemplifies the Villanova spirit of service.”  Another noted that Betty “is a friend to all, a helper, a motivator and a recognized doer who commands the respect of everyone with whom she comes in contact.”

2005
Team
The VQI Environmental Team

Erika Allen-Lynch, Environmental Health and Safety; Megan Armstrong, student;

Miriam Blimm, OPTIR; April Boulton, biology; Emily Brault, student;

John Cacciola, Facilities Services; Jameson Chace, biology; Donna Chadderton, Falvey Library;

Robert Curry, biology; Jessica Delisi, student; Ashish Desai, UNIT; Jonathan Doh, management;

Kelly Doyle, student; Christopher Driscoll, Arts and Sciences;  Joseph Goessling, student;

Keith Henderson, political science; Vikram Iyengar, biology; William Kassel, chemistry;

John Kelley, OPTIR; Markus Kreuzer, political science; Richard Laudenslager, Recycling;

Charles Lewis, MPA student; Paul Livingston, philosophy; Christopher Meehan, student;

Patricia Mynaugh, nursing; Kevin O’Donnell, Ground Services; John Olson, biology;

Gerald Pierri, Civil and Environmental Engineering; Paul Rosier, history; Michael Russell, biology;

Rachel Schaller, UNIT; Rominder Suri, Civil and Environmental Engineering;

Robert Traver, Civil and Environmental Engineering;  Joyce Zavarich, Campus Ministry.

    The VQI Environmental Team, is a unique mix of faculty, staff and students who represent many academic departments, offices and divisions of the University. In the words of one nominator, the Environmental Team “embodies the spirit of community that is so much a part of Villanova University.”
    The members are divided into subteams, each of which works towards its own set of goals relating to Green Purchasing, Campus Sustainability,  Recycling,  Communications, Earth Day, and Environmental Scholarship and Research.

    The team was nominated for the 2005 DSA specifically for its diligent efforts that led to the adoption of the “Villanova University Environmental Sustainability Policy” in November 2004. The Sustainability Subteam prepared a draft for the policy, presented it to the VQI Council and the Vice Presidents Council, which approved it after several revisions were made.  The Team also promoted and publicized the policy by means of “an attractive and compelling exhibit” in Falvey Library during the Spring 2005 semester and a display in Connelly Center.  One nominator wrote “The forward looking vision of the Environmental Sustainability Policy is completely consistent with the mission of Villanova University.  Along with the Green Purchasing Policy… the Environmental Sustainability Policy places Villanova University as a leading institution of higher education in recognizing its obligation for environmental responsibility and stewardship.

    Several of the nominators also cited the success of this year’s Earth Day celebration.  The Earth Day Subteam brought Dr. Peter Raven, a world renowned environmentalist, to campus where he gave the keynote address, met with faculty, staff and students, and participated in a forum on sustainability.  In addition, the team sponsored a number of activities including exhibits by students on class projects relating to the environment, displays relating to “green issues,” and raised money for environmental education.

2004
Individual 
Office of Planning, Training & Institutional Research
(OPTIR)

Joan M. O'Brien

    Joan O'Brien received the DSA for an individual because the excellence of her work which is known and respected throughout the campus. She has played a pivotal role in the successful completion of a number of large projects including the Universities' Middle States Self-Study and Evaluation Team visit, the NCAA Recertification Self-Study and Peer Review Team visit and in the recent creation of the Catholic Higher Education Research Cooperative.
    Joan plays a crucial role in coordinating the many and varied activities of the OPTIR. Without her, the high volume and quality of OPTIR's work would not be possible. She demonstrates an exceptional work ethic, does not worry about traditional working hours, and her experience, attention to detail and calm demeanor make difficult and complicated tasks appear effortless.
    She has been called "the everyday heart and soul of VQI" and has been a vital part of it since its inception. In addition to organizing and attending all VQI Council meetings she works very closely with the leaders and members of the more than 20 Enhancement Teams, guiding and coordinating their activities. Over the years she has played an important part in the planning of events such as VQI Socials and annual VQI tailgate and the many events celebrating the tenth anniversary of VQI.
    One nominator pointed out that Joan "clearly lives the community ideals that Villanova asks all to strive for. She is a welcoming, just, kind person who volunteers in many areas to enhance the quality of University life."

2004
Team
The Wireless Network Project Team

Robin M. Allen, UNIT – User Services; Steven Brady, College of Engineering,
John L. Center, UNIT – Network and Communications, John H. Fowler, UNIT – Network and Communications, Adam M. Goldstein, UNIT – Network and Communications,
William A. Henry, UNIT – User Support, Sean R. McNamara, UNIT – Network and Communications,
Jill Morrison, UNIT – User Support, Matthew T. Morrissey, UNIT – Instructional Technology,
Michael J. O’Neill, UNIT- Network and Communications, Jarrod J. Pietrobone, UNIT – Network and Communications, Alfred E. Sermons, UNIT – Network and Communications

   The Wireless Network Project Team received the DSA for a team in recognition of their "dedication and relentless effort" to install a state-of-the-art wireless network which benefits the entire community students, faculty and staff.
   Originally established to roll out wireless data network access for the College of Commerce and Finance and the College of Engineering, the team also provided access at Connelly Center, Dougherty Hall, and Falvey Library which fulfilled one of the library's strategic goals.
   One part of the team focused on the physical infrastructure, security and management, painstakingly completing surveys of each area before the cabling and installation of the wireless access points. Another part of the team was responsible for laptop configuration and ongoing support.
   The team worked with a limited budget and a compressed time schedule to get the network operational for the Fall 2003 semester. Although the team encountered serious problems along the way with laptops and software, they were, by investing "an enormous amount of time and effort" and by their exceptional performance, able to resolve problems as they arose.

2003
Individual 
Biology Department

Joseph Pilcicki

        Joe Pilcicki was recognized for the excellence of his work in supporting "the entire educational and research infrastructure" of the biology department over the last 15 years.  Joe is responsible for maintaining the inventory and ordering materials and supplies for the department's more than 80 laboratory courses and sections, and for student and faculty research projects.  He handles these and many more tasks with "humor, enthusiasm and efficiency." Joe often reminds his colleagues that "it's all about the students."
        Joe's contributions to the University extend well beyond his work in the labs.  Calling upon his experience in television, he has produced educational, technical and departmental videotapes documenting laboratory exercises, classroom instruction, seminars and presentations on the operation of new equipment which have proven to be tremendous learning resources.  Joe also serves the University as a fire safety instructor and has also helped in many ways with VQI Socials.
        Those who know Joe believe that he epitomizes "the community spirit of the University.  "His caring and welcoming attitude, the respect he shows to those he meets daily, "his unselfish service and incredible work ethic, and proud spirit are of immeasurable value to the Villanova community."

2003
Team
VQI Community Committee
 

Beth Hassel, Campus Ministry, Carol Anthony, Peace and Justice,  John Barthmaier, Custodial Services, Bernice Clary, Dining Services,  Donald Godwin, Student Life Diversity Initiatives, Robin Hoose, Multicultural Affairs,  Kris Huey, Human Resources,  John Kelley, OPTIR,  Mary Kay McCaughan Klara, Financial Assistance,  Stephen  McWilliams, International Students and Human Services, Donna Mulhern , Athletics,  George Pinchok, Music Activities,  Mary Quilter, Ethics Program,  Nancy Sharts-Hopko, Nursing, Terry Sousa, Connelly Center, and Vincent Thomas, Residence Life.           

          Established in 1993 as one of the original VQI committees, the Community Committee had as its mission to "design and initiate ways to enhance the spirit of community at Villanova," thus supporting one of the primary and fundamental goals of VQI:  "to deepen our communal bond and sense of shared purpose."
          In the past ten years the Community Committee has initiated a number of events and programs that have done much to enhance the sense of community and have become part of the culture of the University.  The events include the Community Forum, the Bread and Soup Lunch, Faculty/Staff picnic, VQI socials and the introduction of St. Thomas of Villanova Day in 1995.  The day was established as a means of celebrating the University's Augustinian heritage and honoring St. Thomas of Villanova.  Throughout the years, the Committee has continued to engage in many activities on behalf of the Villanova community   Recently the Community Committee has focused its attention on the Statement of Community Ideals and ways to implement them.  The committee has absorbed the Campus Climate Committee and has developed a literacy program for employees, entitled VALUES.  It has also been instrumental in having campus maps placed at the main entrances and  is involved in improving the interaction between students and the custodial staff by the recognition of birthdays and the distribution of welcome baskets.  It is currently working on the establishment of a Memorial for Deceased Villanovans.  Because the idea of community is so integral to the goals of VQI, it is appropriate that this year's award for a team was presented to the VQI Community Committee.

2002
Individual 
Campus Ministry

 Noreen Cameron

           Noreen joined the staff of Campus Ministry in 1986.  She is praised for her vision and her tireless work in support of the mission of the University and the Augustinian tradition.  She has assumed many leadership roles including the University's Volunteer Service Program, Habitat for Humanity, which has been cited as the national leader for the Collegiate Challenge over the past few years and COV  (Community Outreach of Villanova) that serves the people of Philadelphia through many agencies, such as the Catholic Worker and St. Francis Inn.   Noreen coordinates all other Mission and Ecological service trips, many of which are national or international in scope. She chooses the student leaders, advisors, site locations, and oversees the financing, travel arrangements and leadership training.  She is available day and night to the participants before, during and after the trips.  Most important, she "focuses the students on the issues of social justice as they relate to faith, the gospel and the mission of our University."  

2002
Team
Homecoming Planning Committee

Christine Acchione, Amy Layman, Steve Cauterucci, Bety DiRita, Kevin O'Donnell, Mike McGuckin, Tim Dietzler, Jack McCausland, Bill Hale, Jeff Horton, Chris Lloyd, Carolyn Arena, Jim Belzer, Dave White, Maura McDaid, Tom Mogan, John Jeffery, Christine Faistl, Terry Sousa, Tony Alfano, Gary Bonas, Tom Malloy, Kathy Gallagher

This cross-functional team consists of representatives from ten different University departments who "pool their talents and expertise to plan and execute the annual University Homecoming celebration which each year attracts some 16,000 guests, alumni, family members, students, faculty and staff." Founded in 1993, the Homecoming Committee organizes an event that is "well organized, professionally managed and a family friendly" celebration. Each member of the committee makes a strong personal commitment of her or his time and talent. In addition, the Committee recruits more than 100 Villanovans as volunteers who contribute much to the success of the day by performing many and varied tasks. The "energetic and creative" members of the Committee put together a total weekend of activities ranging from tailgating, a football game, young family picnic, the main homecoming party to academic presentations and administrative service offerings. There is truly something for "Villanovans of every age."

2001
Individual 
Athletics

Ilene Lee

Ilene Lee, Athletics Department, is Secretary for Men's and Women's Track & Field, Cross Country, and Women's Basketball. She is well-known and loved in the Athletics Department for her devotion to helping Villanova's student-athletes live up to their potential both in the classroom and in their athletic events. She is extremely effective in meeting the many responsibilities of her position but also generously gives of her time to organize a variety of activities that support the Athletics program. In keeping with the spirit of St. Thomas of Villanova, Mrs. Lee is active in Volunteer work, serving regularly at a nearby soup kitchen and participating in Campus Ministry service trips.

2001
Team
I-Payment Team

Tim Ay, UNIT, Executive Director's Office, Technical Director; Jennifer Brotherston, Registrar, Coordinator of Enrollment Management Information Systems; John Brzezicki, UNIT, Central Systems, Senior Systems Administrator; John Center, UNIT, Data Networks, Assistant Director; Marie E. Gargan, UNIT, Enterprise-Wide Systems, Programmer Analyst; Melissa D. Gerding, University Admission, Assistant Director; Susan Hill, UNIT, Assistant Director, Enterprise-Wide Systems; Charles Hoffman, Bursar; Sean McNamara, UNIT, Data Networks, Network Systems Administrator; Dorothy M. Mellon, Registrar, Manager of Enrollment Management Information; Clete Rickert, UNIT, Assistant Director, Database Administration and Imaging; Janice Sylvester, University Admission, Secretary; Marjorie Torchon, University Admission, Associate Director.

One of Villanova's goals has been to simplify administrative procedures to save time for students, faculty and staff members. Improvements have already been made in areas such as registration for classes and distribution of grades. Up until now, however, the payment process has not been streamlined. The I-Payment team selected a relatively isolated process--when accepted students hold their place at the University with a deposit--to see if it could be streamlined by allowing incoming students to directly enter credit card information onto the I-Payment Web site. While this might seem to be a fairly simple change, it involved the creative coordination of a number of campus offices and paved the way for streamlining other processes in the future.

2000
Individual 
Falvey Library

Bernadette Dierkes

Bernadette is the Senior Managing Graphics Artist, Instructional Media Services.  She produces extremely high quality displays, exhibits and multimedia presentations.  She has demonstrated an ability to juggle many complex projects at once and meet deadlines, her exceptional commitment to service and her willingness to work long hours, often on weekends.  Bernadette has led two Habitat for Humanity trips to Belfast, Ireland and has served on numerous committees in Falvey Library, various VQI Committees, Books N Hoops and Special Olympics.  She has served as a retreat leader for Campus Ministry and a volunteer tutor in Multicultural Affairs' VIP program.

2000
Team
Villanova Experience Learning Community Team

Kathy Byrnes, Assistant Vice President for Student Life; Noreen Gravanese, Bursar's Office;  Marie Schauder, Residence Life;  Mary Lou Hill-Monaco, Core Humanities; Kathleen Rizzo, Residence Life; Rev. John Betoni, O.S.A., Office of the Registrar;  Pam Braxton, Office of the Registrar; Cathy Connor, Registrar; Tim Dietzler, Dining Services;  Jack Doody, Core Humanities; Joseph Law, Dining Services; Sean Quinn, '00

The Villanova Experience program seeks to "enrich the learning experiences of (first-year) students and to create more meaningful interactions among the students and between the students and the faculty" by integrating living and learning.  The program truly reflects the Catholic and Augustinian values of the University.  The student credit the program with "fostering new friendships, facilitating their involvement in myriad of student organizations and functions, assisting them with personal and professional challenges and helping the achieve academic success."

1999
Individual 
Facilities Manager - Mendel Science Center

Joe McDonnell

The award was given for the consistent and dedicated service which he has given to the faculty and students over the past thirty-six years.  Joe has dealt with a spectrum of problems that is much broader than most of us ever contemplate.  It has taken much expertise to maintain the proper functioning of a building as complex as Mendel Hall.  Joe has never failed to 'try' to solve every challenge put before him.  He is truly deserving of this award.

1999
Team
Electronic Reserve Task Force

James L. Mullins, University Librarian and Director, Falvey Memorial Library; Daniel P. McGee, Assistant Director, Instructional Technologies, UNIT; Kathleen O'Connor, Systems Librarian, Falvey Memorial Library; Richard J. Perry, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Evan Radcliffe, Associate Professor of English; Linda Saboe, Supervisor, Reserve Room, Falvey Memorial Library; Donna Shai, Associate Professor

This award recognized this team's efforts to enable the electronic delivery of supplemental course-related information that had only been accessible in print and located only in the Reserve Room of Falvey Library.  They worked to analyze, investigate and implement a full-text digital access reserve system.  Through the efforts of this team, student can now access supplemental readings from computers in their own rooms.

1998
Individual 
UNIT

Joan M. Lesovitz

The award was given for consistent, excellent, accurate and timely performance of duties, which include providing technical and multimedia support for the development, delivery and presentation of instructional material with the primary goal of enhancing learning, and for consulting services to non-academic departments developing projects and presentations for their initiatives, among many other duties.

1998
Team
UNIT Technical Support Team

Emil Kotschneff, Ken McKeown, Joseph Coffey, John Sullivan, Kevin Toth

The award recognizes these individuals for demonstrating consistent excellence, exceptional performance and an active sense of community in their daily interaction with more than 3,000 faculty, staff and students across the entire campus. Highlights of their contributions include their detailed planning and coordination efforts which minimized computer down-time for departments being upgraded or temporarily relocated. Their expert advice at purchase decision times and their centralized system of tracking computer hardware also reduced University operating costs.

1997
Individual 
Falvey Library

The award was given for the consistent and dedicated service which she has demonstrated while providing information to faculty, students and staff by answering specific questions and selecting the most appropriate reference materials in both print and electronic format. Green began her association with the Falvey Library in 1966 as a part-time librarian and assumed full-time responsibilities in 1974.

1997
Team
Cross-Functional Project: Controller's Office, Facilities Services, Purchasing, Financial Affairs. Graphic Services, Athletics, Mail Services, Purchasing, Facilities Management

Sharon Bain, John Blair, Leo Dolan, Donald Friedman, Harry Gray, Rosemary Mazzotta, Michael Powers, Ellen Urben, James Zaleski

The Campus Parcel Delivery Team was formed as result of a VQI suggestion. 
This Cross-Functional Team received the award for:

1996
Individual
Registrar

Cathy Connor

Cathy was presented the award because she has energized the Registrar's Office by making the staff feel positive and enthusiastic about their responsibilities. Cathy's strong determination for improving quality in the Registrar's Office was done by being fair, by having interest in the personal and professional development of her staff and by her leadership example. With a pleasant disposition she handles her responsibilities in a confident and efficient manner.

1996
Team
Facilities Management Grounds Team

Michael Bezdziecki, John Blair, John C. Bonas, John A. Cratin, Robert J. Dewees, Thomas A. Fleming, James J. Fondots, Chris Guaglione, Frederick E. Harris, Paul Hopkins, Claudia Kent, Gabriel Liberatore, John J. Manzi, Francis McGarvey, James McKee, Melvin Morrison, Richard Ovelman, Brian Rickers, Matt Schoff, Joseph Sireci, John Sperone, Michael Sullivan, Leonard Tiniakos, Michael Sullivan, Garrett C. Vail, Hugh A. Weldon

The Grounds team received the award for keeping our campus beautiful. Some of the responsibilities of the crew are: maintaining all outdoor areas, trash pickup, recycling, snow removal, maintenance of University-owned vehicles, and set ups for special events. The crew has divided the campus into zones which allows them to customize areas that normally would have been a small part of a massive project. The quality of their work, is witnessed by the entire community and the thousands of visitors to our campus each year.