14 honored by University Outreach

Chancellor John V. Lombardi listens as Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan accepts a Distinguished Outreach Partnership Award during April 9 ceremonies at the University Club. At right is Satu Zoller, associate director of the Center for Public Policy and Administration, who nominated Sullivan for the award. (Thom Kendall photo)

hree faculty and 11 community partners were honored April 9 by the Office of University Outreach for efforts to apply teaching, research and service in the public interest and promote collaborations between the campus and external constituencies.

     About 80 people, including Chancellor John V. Lombardi and previous award recipients, attended the awards reception at the University Club.

     John Mullin, interim vice chancellor for University Outreach, and Lombardi presented Distinguished Academic Outreach Awards to Nancy Cohen, professor and head of the Department of Nutrition; Marla Miller, assistant professor of History; and Robert Nakosteen, associate professor in Finance and Operations Management.

     The awards recognize excellence in academic outreach and honor faculty and professional staff who excel in that component of the campus's mission.

     Cohen was cited for her many years of commitment to research in nutrition education and the extension of her findings to a broad array of communities within Massachusetts and across the nation.

     Miller was honored for exemplifying the seamless integration of research and teaching outreach as anchor of the Public History Program and for her projects that engage students in bringing history to outside constituents.

     Nakosteen's award saluted his extraordinary level of commitment and high level of service to the University and the Commonwealth, through his role as editor of Massachusetts Benchmarks, and a variety of other work that has brought positive, high visibility to the University.

     Distinguished Outreach Partnership Awards were given to 11 representatives of public and private sector organizations and communities that have collaborated with campus departments and programs on various initiatives.

     Joe Donovan of Clark and Company was cited for his pro bono work with the Technology Enterprise Council, a Regional Technology Alliance-affiliated network, over the past three years. He was credited with providing invaluable guidance that helped the organization focus its message and implement sound marketing programs.

     Jim Fallon, vice president of Tyco, Don Haile, vice president of Fidelity, Joyce Plotkin, president of the Massachusetts Software Council, and Greg Sheldon of Sheldon Associates and the Massachusetts Telecommunication Council were honored for their work in getting the Commonwealth Information Technology Initiative (CITI) up and running. The four worked with the Board of Higher Education, contacted legislators, wrote letters and editorials, spoke on behalf of CITI at public events, provided guidance and counsel and attended or led countless meetings.

     Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan was recognized for his interest in new approaches, his commitment to his city, and his continuing enthusiasm for working with the Center for Public Policy and Administration faculty and students as part of the Holyoke-CPPA Policy Partnership.

     Also recognized was Julia Rivera, resident services coordinator at Sargent West Apartments in Holyoke, for enabling the 4-H Youth & Family Development Program to expand its outreach efforts in the community and to reach its goal of providing quality youth development programs to underserved youth within the Commonwealth.

     Laurie Millman of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, was cited for her work as a director of program development and being instrumental in providing opportunities for collaboration with the UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program. Her efforts have resulted in three successful years of nutrition education lessons and activities for after-school youth.

     Charles Burnham, director of the Forest Health Program in the state Department of Environmental Management, was saluted for his role as a primary resource for insect information and a contributor to the Extension Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program. Burnham has been a dedicated collaborator on pest identification, new pest occurrences and management strategies, according to his nomination.

     Also recognized was Karen Connelly, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Lawn Care Professionals, described as the driving force behind a partnership with UMass Extension that has grown over the past 14 years. One tangible element of the partnership is the Annual Lawn Care Seminar, which allows the UMass Turf Program to educate a myriad of lawn care operators, landscapers, educators, regulatory personnel and community and environmental groups.

     Mary Ellen Kirrane, health grants coordinator for the Brockton public schools, was cited for her leadership and vision in meeting the health needs of students through the UMass Extension Family Nutrition Program and the Brockton Public Schools Collaborative.