Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Each year four Lawrence Tech employees are presented with the coveted Marburger awards in recognition of outstanding contributions to the University. This year President Emeritus Richard Marburger added a fifth recipient, President Lewis Walker.

Walker is stepping down as president in June to become chancellor of the University for a year.

Marburger brought the April 26 awards ceremony in the Buell Management Building to a rousing conclusion by enumerating some of the accomplishments that have taken place during Walker’s tenure at Lawrence Tech, first as provost and then as president since 2006.

Like all the other Marburger award recipients, Walker was presented with a check for $1,000. In accepting the award, he said the money will go to a new scholarship fund that he and his wife Nancy have decided to establish.

The winners of the annual Marburger awards are:

• Staff Person of the Year: Gayle Schaeff, faculty secretary in the College of Architecture and Design.
• Administrator of the Year: Anne Adamus, director of university communications and academic editor, Department of Marketing and Public Affairs.
• Faculty Member of the Year: Sabah Abro, college professor in the Departments of Math and Computer Science and Engineering Technology.
• Champion of Institional Excellence and Pre-eminence: Jerry Lindman, director of the Center for Nonprofit Management in the College of Management.

The Mary E. and Richard E. Marburger Excellence in Achievement Awards were created in 1993 when colleagues, alumni, and friends made contributions to a fund created to commemorate Marburger’s retirement as president of the University. The Marburgers have made additional contributions, and almost 20 years later, he remains very active on campus as a volunteer.

Qualities taken into consideration by the Marburger committee included exceptional competence and conscientious effort, positive attitude, innovative ideas, and a willingness to be a team player and go beyond the job description. Other considerations were mentoring of student projects, professional achievements, career competency, and service to the University.

Serving on this year’s committee were Katie Jolly, Joyce McKissen, Joyce Genat, Gus Azar, Noreen Ferguson, Richard Bush, Ali Barnard, Scott Trudeau, Louise Garrett, and students Phil Lucas and Joy Sportell.

Staff Person of the Year
Schaeff was originally hired by the College of Management in 1981, but just three weeks later joined the Office of Business Services. She moved to the College of engineering to take a full-time position and then to the Office of Admissions. In 1988, she moved to the College of Architecture and Design, where she has remained for the past 24 years.

According to some in the College of Architecture and Design, the faculty would not be able to function without Schaeff.  Other staff members, administrators and students also know that she’s the “go-to” person for anything to do with the college. She has been described as diligent, hard-working, patient, professional, courteous and thoughtful.

“Gayle is always ready to step in and get the job done – with a smile on her face,” said Professor Will Allen.  “In short, she’s a team leader who is satisfied being a member of the team of the best College of Architecture in the nation.”

Schaeff said she learned early on that it was important to become acquainted with at least one person in every department to contact when something was needed.  “There is lots of unity with a common purpose … to make this a great university and offer the best education to our students as possible,” she said.

Administrator of Year
Adamus, who has more than 30 years of experience in editing, writing, and marketing, joined the Department of Marketing and Public Affairs in 2003. As academic editor and publications director, she is responsible for the creation and completion of hundreds of University documents each year.

“Anne maintains high standards for quality that help maintain a positive image for Lawrence Tech with the faculty and staff as well as our customers – the students – and the general public,” one colleague wrote She is constantly shifting gears and responding to requests from everywhere on campus, often on very short notice. She has to have great patience while waiting for the information she needs to complete a project, and then the mental fortitude to complete complex projects under tight deadlines. The job requires strong balance and focus, and Anne uses her sense of humor to maintain good morale for both herself and her colleagues.”

Adamus efficiently tracks the projects for faculty and staff members and responds to innumerable requests promptly. She treats all campus colleagues with a high level of dedication and helpfulness that assures a superior conclusion. “I can always be assured that whatever Anne takes on will be completed with the highest quality and maximum utility,” said her supervisor, Bruce Annett, executive director of marketing and public affairs.

Her responsibilities extend beyond publications. “A lot of the credit for our new traditions like Homecoming and Winterfest were due to the hard work of Anne. She helps all of us look better,” said Dean of Students Kevin Finn.

Faculty Person of the Year
Abro began teaching at Lawrence Tech as an adjunct in 1997 and become a full-time faculty member in 2000. He has served two departments, Math & Computer Science and Engineering Technology, and teaches a variety of classes, advises students, works on curriculum improvement and course development, writes professional papers, and presents in conferences. He is leading the development of a master’s program in engineering technology.

A native of Iraq, he has a bachelor degree from Baghdad University, a graduate diploma from the United Nations Institute in the Middle East, a master’s degree from Great Britain, and a PhD from Belgium. He has taught in several countries and speaks four languages. Before coming to Lawrence Tech, he was the math director at Focus: HOPE.

“Dr. Sabah Abro is one of the most approachable people I know at LTU,” a nominator wrote. “Every time you stop in the Engineering Technology office, he always makes a point to greet you with a genuine smile and to shake your hand. He is always a joy to talk to and always makes time for people, students and faculty members alike.

Two students wrote the nominating committee to say Abro was the best professor they had ever had.

Another student wrote, “Dr. Abro has a unique understanding of the way students learn … He is engaging, challenging, and most of all encouraging and understanding. … Not only is he a great instructor; he is also a great advisor and makes time to interact with current and past students. His door is always open and his phone is always answered.”

A faculty colleague wrote, “Dr. Abro has been my mentor during my first year at LTU. … [He] offers constructive criticism in a very professional manner such as to not offend the person receiving the advice. He always has a smile on his face.”

Abro played a significant role in the preparations for the ABET visits last year. He reorganized each of the technology degree programs in a consistent and clear manner. He created a website to store and retain copies of the course masters, which are accessible to any faculty within the department. He is often asked to play a lead role in the course assessment process.

Champion for Institutional Excellence and Pre-eminence
Since 2004, Lindman has served as a college professor and director of the Center for Nonprofit Management in the College of Management, one of the premier outreach programs at Lawrence Tech.

It provides education, applied research, outreach, and networking in the areas of nonprofit management and social enterprise. The fully online graduate certificate and concentration in nonprofit management and leadership is one of the few in the region and is very well regarded by students, graduates, and stakeholders.

Lindman teaches strategic nonprofit management and healthcare law, regulations, and management, both in the classroom and online.  “He works passionately, professionally, and diligently to build programs and services that bring the best management and leadership practices in nonprofit organizations to the Lawrence Tech campus,” one nominator wrote.

The Center for Nonprofit Management is known for the BoardWALK training series for nonprofit board members and the Executive to Executive series, which brings many high-profile leaders to campus. Thanks to his leadership, Lawrence Tech has one of a chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, one of just 15 in the country.

Lindman speaks at statewide events such as the Health Safety Net Symposium, and he is also an active blogger and expert in the use of web collaboration technology. He has used his law degree and government background to become involved in other college-related activities such as supporting the new Healthcare IT certificate program and linking it with the nonprofit management program.

“Jerry’s accomplishments in academic program development and outreach, service to the College and University makes him an invaluable member of the faculty of the College of Management faculty,” one colleague wrote. “Jerry consistently delivers excellence in teaching, advising, and is always a positive and supportive colleague.”

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