During last month's IT Matters speaker series, Penn State recognized the outstanding efforts of 12 information technology professionals who have taken leadership roles in creating a thriving environment for IT collaboration, creativity and innovation. Thanks to the dedication of these individuals, Penn State community members are able to connect to a wide range of emerging technologies essential in higher education today. Kevin Morooney, vice provost for Information Technology, presented the annual IT Impact Awards in the following mission-critical areas:
IT collaboration
This award recognizes a group of individuals leading cross-administrative area initiatives that benefit the University as a whole, or positively impact the lives of Penn State's customers. This year’s award recipients represent the IT Project Management Leadership Group.
- Beth Hayes, project manager, Digital Library Technologies
- Mark Linton, manager of Network Development Engineering, ITS Telecommunications and Networking Services
- Julia (Suzanne) Wayne, associate director of Communications in the College of Education
- Dave McCobin, information technology manager, ITS Telecommunications and Networking Services
- Kathy Plavko (retired March 2012 ), project management office director, Administrative Information Services
Resource responsibility
This award recognizes individuals who make a significant contribution in reducing or consolidating the IT resources used in delivering IT services to Penn State. The following award recipients make up the Strategic Information Management Systems (SIMS) group -- a team tasked with the development of Penn State’s grant proposal system.
- Chris Lose, lead applications programmer and assistant director, Office of Research Information Systems
- Niki Page, lead contract and proposal specialist, Strategic Interdisciplinary Research Office
- Christy Shaw-Godinez, associate coordinator, Grants and Contracts, Strategic Interdisciplinary Research Office
- Heather Mann, associate coordinator, Grants and Contracts, Strategic Interdisciplinary Research Office
- Michael Whyte, programmer/analyst, Office of Research Information Systems
Out-of-the-box innovation
This award recognizes individuals who develop and institute innovative approaches to solving IT issues.
- Bryan Ollendyke, instructional web technology specialist, e-Learning Institute
- Ryan Davisson, systems administrator, ITS at Penn State Harrisburg
For photographs of the Spring 2012 IT Impact Award recipients, visit http://it.psu.edu/connects/recognizes/recipients2012.php.