Four Kent State University employees were recipients of the 2013 President’s Excellence Award. For the fifth year, Kent State President Lester A. Lefton dropped in on the workplaces of each of the recipients to notify them of their honor and present them with a check for $1,000.

The President’s Excellence Award was implemented in 2009 to recognize full-time, classified and unclassified employees who demonstrated exceptional performance in advancing one of the goals of the university’s Excellence Agenda during the previous fiscal year. There were 184 nominations received, representing 111 staff throughout the eight campuses.

The criteria included actions, initiatives or projects related to student success, diversity and inclusion, effectiveness and efficiency, quality customer service, collaboration, sustainability, and serving as an ambassador for the university.

The President’s Excellence Award recipients are listed below. Photographs of the employees receiving their award also may be viewed on the Office of the President’s website.

Robert (Bob) Hall
Senior Manager, Training and Development
Division of Human Resources
Nominated for: Collaboration, Effectiveness and Efficiency, Excellence in Customer Service and Serving as an Ambassador for the University

Bob Hall, senior manager for training and development in
the Division of Human Resources, shakes hands with Kent
State President Lester A. Lefton as he is presented with
a 2013 President's Excellence Award.

Bob Hall’s nominator described him as being deserving of the President's Excellence Award due to his collaborative and innovative work in designing and implementing the Institute for Excellence. “Bob collaborates with leaders from all corners of Kent State, as well as national experts to create a program that challenges its participants to strive for and create a culture of excellence. From cabinet members to professors to authors to medical doctors, speakers — whom Bob brings together — support and inspire the leadership development of the institute’s members with their insights.” Another nominator described Hall as a model of excellence in action in his ability to actively promote collaboration. Hall is described as having a positive outlook that is energizing and infectious; he is instrumental in changing the university’s culture and shaping its employees for increased leadership roles.

Kimberly Kennedy
Special Assistant
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Nominated for: Excellence in Customer Service and Student Success

Kim Kennedy, special assistant in the Division of Diversity,
Inclusion and Equity, wipes away tears after Kent State
President Lester A. Lefton surprises her with a President's
Excellence Award.

Kim Kennedy, a member of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, was nominated for her commitment to students and her tireless efforts and interactions through the Student Multicultural Center and other student organizations on campus. Kennedy is co-advisor for the Spanish and Latino Student Association (SALSA) and the Native American Student Association (NASA). One nominator shared how Kennedy reaches out to all students and provides encouragement, advice and comfort when needed. A consensus among Kennedy’s nominators is that she supports students by trying to attend most student-sponsored events, not just those that she is involved with as an advisor. One nominator indicated, “I've never met anyone so passionate about student success and who gives 150 percent every day to help them. I think Kim is one of those ‘unsung heroes’ who should be recognized for her efforts.”

Katheryn (Kate) McAnulty, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Student Services
Graduate Studies
Nominated for: Collaboration, Diversity and Inclusion, Effectiveness and Efficiency, Serving as an Ambassador and Student Success

Kent State President Lester A. Lefton poses for a photo
with Katheryn McAnulty, Ph.D., director for Graduate
Student Services, after surprising her with a President's
Excellence Award.

Katheryn McAnulty received 24 nominations. It was noted by all nominees that she has demonstrated exceptional performance in advancing student success through her tireless devotion to improving the graduate student experience and providing a clear respect for the value of student voices.

One nominee, regarding McAnulty's role as advisor to Graduate Student Senate, wrote the following, “Dr. McAnulty has consistently demonstrated her concern for the success of the organization.” Nominees also acknowledged McAnulty’s contributions as director of Graduate Student Orientation (GSO), where she has cultivated a climate of student success through respect for and encouragement of graduate student input and creativity. “Dr. McAnulty has remained committed to fostering students’ growth, development and support and has made a noticeable difference across campus.” McAnulty has made the campus a welcoming place and safe space that is academically stimulating for both domestic and international graduate students alike.

Caroline Tannert
Administrative Secretary
Anthropology
College of Arts and Sciences
Nominated for: Effectiveness and Efficiency, and Student Success

Kent State President Lester A. Lefton congratulates
Caroline Tannert, administrative secretary in the College
of Arts and Sciences, for winning a 2013 President's
Excellence Award.

Student and staff nominators describe Caroline Tannert as the hub through which both undergraduate and graduate students encounter and embrace anthropology at Kent State. “From early communication with the department to shepherding students through deadlines and requirements, Ms. Tannert is a key component of student success in our department. Students (and others) look forward to interacting with her, and I know why: Caroline Tannert combines nearly perfect competence with perfect kindness.” Another nominator cites the following about Tannert, “Her genuine warmth and concern, consistently applied in the everyday operation of the department as she serves students, is what helps to promote student success within the department.”

Although Tannert was honored for her effectiveness and efficiency, it is evident by her nominators’ accolades that she brings many attributes to those she comes into contact with every day. In their words, “It is Caroline’s nature to go above and beyond every day.”