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February 3, 2000

Winners of chancellor's staff award announced

Five staff members were recognized at Senate Council Jan. 31 by Chancellor Mark Nordenberg as this year's winners of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence for University of Pittsburgh Staff Employees.

The award honors staff who demonstrate dedication to their units and community service beyond their job responsibilities.

This year's winners are Sherry Cleary, director of the University Child Development Center; Ronald Gigliotti, assistant director, Office of Special Events; Robert Hoffman, director of operations, Department of Computer Science; Linda Howard, advertising and office manager, University Times, and Kathleen Sidorovich, research administrator, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine.

The award carries a $2,500 cash prize and recognition at the Feb. 28 honors convocation. Winners' names will be inscribed on a plaque in the William Pitt Union.

Letters were sent to the winning staff members from the chancellor citing some of their accomplishments.

Sherry Cleary, director of the University Child Development Center since October 1992, also holds faculty appointments in the School of Social Work and the School of Education. She co-chairs the Provost's Advisory Committee on Women's Concerns.

The chancellor wrote, "Your work both in and outside your job illustrates your willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty."

Cleary's activities outside the University include: board member of the National Coalition of Campus Children's Centers; board member of the Pittsburgh Children's Museum; membership in the Alliance for Early Childhood Education, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the National Organization of Child Development Laboratory Schools.

In addition, Cleary is on the editorial board of the journal Leadership Quest.

Special Events assistant director Ronald Gigliotti was cited for his volunteer activities, including the Carnegie Library's Beginning with Books Program, which earned him the national JC Penney Golden Rule Award. Gigliotti also has worked in development efforts with the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force and as a volunteer lector in his church.

He came to Pitt in August 1982 at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and has been with Special Events since February 1998.

In his letter to Gigliotti, Nordenberg stated, "You are, indeed, an exemplary member of the University staff, and I am pleased that you have been publicly recognized for your dedication."

Robert Hoffman joined the University community as a lab research assistant at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in 1977. In March 1980, he joined the staff at the computer science department, where he serves as director of operations. Hoffman's volunteer activities include service as a firefighter, captain and president of the Fox Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, ambulance driver for the Dorseyville Fire Department and president of the Lower Allegheny Valley Fireman's Association. He also has volunteered with the Pittsburgh Grand Prix and Pittsburgh Marathon events. "On behalf of the entire University community," Nordenberg wrote, "let me express deep gratitude for your dedication and hard work."

In addition to her work responsibilities at the University Times, Linda Howard participates in several University-sponsored programs, including the United Way campaign, Scouting for Food, Day of Caring and campus blood drives. Her off-campus activities include service as treasurer, Sunday school teacher and youth director for her church, financial administrator and operations assistant for Uv.Me&G In-Line Hockey League, and participation in the Salvation Army Christmas toy drive and St. Barnabas Christmas presents for patients program.

The chancellor wrote, "Your record of outstanding accomplishment and service adds to the distinction of this institution."

Howard was hired in February 1995 at Invoice Audit and transferred to the University Times in July 1996.

Kathleen Sidorovich started at the Graduate School of Public Health in October 1972 and transferred to the School of Medicine in 1989, where she is a research administrator for the Department of Medicine. The chancellor cited her efforts within the department as an example of excellence by a staff member. Nordenberg wrote, "You have also distinguished yourself in your volunteer activities, including the Greater Pittsburgh Council, Troop 90 of the Boy Scouts of America, the Woodland Hills High School Band parent organization and your service as the field commissioner of the Woodland Hills Youth Soccer Organization."

–Peter Hart


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