Three Receive 2000-01 Outstanding Administrator Awards

Contact: Rusty Smith, chair of Administrative Senate (740) 593-4947

Editors: A group photo of the recipients can be found at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/ADAWARDS.JPG
Individual photos of the recipients can be downloaded at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/ANDERSON_DOROTHY.JPG; www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/LADWIG_PAUL2.JPG and www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/WITKOWSKI_JEAN.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio (May 10, 2001) -- Three Ohio University employees were awarded with 2000-01 Outstanding Administrator Awards at a May 9 reception at the Baker University Center. Dorothy Anderson, English Department administrator; Paul Ladwig, executive director of Media Services; and Jean Witkowski, departmental administrator for Biological Sciences, are this year's recipients. Each will receive $1,000 for professional development.

First given in 1975, Outstanding Administrator Awards are presented to individuals who exemplify a strong commitment and distinguished service to Ohio University. The awards program is sponsored by Administrative Senate and voted on annually by a nine-member committee.

Anderson, in her seventh year at Ohio University, manages the scheduling of all English Department courses, works with the budget and provides numbers and planning documents to the department's chair and Budget and Rating Committee. She also managed the yearlong renovation of Ellis Hall and was described by one co-worker as "a paragon of professionalism in the very best sense."

"This is a wonderful honor," Anderson said. "If I could only bottle the feeling one gets when receiving an award like this -- it's better than anything one can imagine."

Ladwig has earned the reputation as a creative planner and excellent motivator with outstanding leadership skills. Under his guidance, Media Services has won many national awards for its projects and is regarded as one of the top collegiate video operations in the nation. Ladwig, who is in his eighth year at the university, coordinates the Ohio Sports Network football and basketball television broadcasts and was instrumental in the university's acquisition of a satellite truck that enables university news events to be sent around the world in minutes. He also spearheaded the development of the university's award-winning Web site.

"This is a tremendous achievement and I am honored and humbled by this announcement," Ladwig said. "I must thank my colleagues, because without them I would not have earned this great distinction."

Witkowski joined the university in 1989 and is referred to as "the hub" of the Biological Sciences Department. Described as a hard worker who is patient and always willing to help others, she is responsible for managing the budget, overseeing the staff and serving as the liaison to other departments. She also is appreciated for her skillful handling of the department's financial and logistical issues. Active on campus, she has served as a district representative in Administrative Senate and vice-chair of the Compensation Committee. Witkowski also has been involved with the Benefits Advisory and Radiation Safety Committees.

"I am honored to receive one of the Outstanding Administrator Awards this year," Witkowski said. "I sincerely appreciate all the support that I have received from my family, the faculty and staff in my department and my colleagues and friends throughout the university."