Award Winners

Paul Ciesielski
Senior Research Associate
Atmospheric Science
For more than two decades, Paul has participated in national and international atmospheric field campaigns and has made exceptional contributions to the sounding components of those projects. A “sounding” is a vertical atmospheric temperature or moisture profile derived from radiances measurements. Paul’s reputation as one of the world’s leading experts on sounding operations in the field campaigns is well earned. The procedures he created to correct instrument errors are at the leading edge of the field, as are the techniques he developed for editing sounding data. For example, as part of a recent large scale field campaign, Paul procured a grant from the National Science Foundation and arranged for the establishment of an atmospheric observation facility, DYNAMO, in the Maldives Islands. The research focuses on the impact of the atmospheric phenomenon called the Madden-Julian Oscillation, which affects weather and climate around the globe. Paul arranged the participation of graduate students from CSU and Taiwan as well as nearly 200 research scientists around the world. He also makes great efforts to share the data collected at DYNAMO and other sounding sites with the international community. Paul’s research is quite prolific. He has at least 35 publications in refereed journals and his research is cited more than 1,200 times. In addition, Paul continues to mentor graduate students and conduct balloon launches for undergraduate students in Introduction to Weather and Climate here at CSU.

David Mornes
Department Administrator/Business Officer
Biomedical Sciences
As Business Officer, Dave has oversight of more than $16 million in expenditures while also serving as the Biomedical Department’s primary financial analyst and planner. His attention to detail provides accurate annual reporting as well as sound predictions for fiscal planning and key investments in people, facilities and infrastructure. Because of the size of the department, one of the challenges he faces is the number of multiple funding sources, with each source having its own unique rules. However, Dave safeguards compliance within the constraints while maintaining maximum efficiency. During the deployment of a new undergraduate major in neuroscience, Dave collaborated and identified key areas where potential overlapping roles and responsibilities of instructors, staff and advisors could be shared between departments, creating a substantial financial savings for all involved. Not only is Dave a financial expert, his leadership skills also flourish in human resources and interpersonal relationships. For instance, because the Biomedical Sciences faculty and staff are housed both at the main and Foothills campuses, the physical separation adds to the complexity of supporting the department. Dave recognized this challenge and, although his office is on the main campus, he took it upon himself to spend 1 day per week at the Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory facility. He also organizes and oversees the monthly Biomedical Sciences Administrative Team meetings, providing all staff with information about administrative issues as well as professional development opportunities. He is sensitivity to personnel and has the ability to visualize proactive solutions to potential issues. In addition to all this, Dave serves on the Administrative Professional Council and is Chair this academic year.

Jon Stocking
Chief Financial Officer
College of Agricultural Sciences
Jon’s contribution to the campus -wide information and budget systems is tremendous. For example, he helped create the Universal Travel Voucher, a paper travel processing form designed to simplify and streamline the travel process and the procurement card system “ACARD,” or Acquisition Card Program. His work guided the first Electronic Funds Transfer payments to university vendors. He served as chair of the Campus Administrative Advisory Group during the introduction of the Kuali Financial System, allowing him to aid in the communication and introduction of the system. Jon also oversees the Agriculture Business Office, a shared service center streamlining the business functions of all five departments within the College, as well as the Agricultural Experiment Station. He assembled a knowledgeable team, who provide a great understanding of compliance requirements and professional, consistent guidance and support. Jon’s ability to integrate a shared service model seamlessly into the college infrastructure testifies to his depth of knowledge of the college and his skills at managing a diverse set of systems and personnel. The team’s functionality as an efficient and productive “family,” truly attests to the level of mentoring and respect Jon provides as an effective leader.

Donna Weedman
Laboratory Coordinator
Biology
As laboratory coordinator, Donna handles laboratory preparation and ordering for multiple classes, extensive laboratory manual development and revision, assembling at least 62 RamCT sections for four major undergraduate labs, and disposal of lab-generated hazardous waste. She organizes numerous class sections simultaneously so the essential points of each class are conveyed to the Graduate Teaching Assistants and students alike. Her lab exercises are carefully designed to be applicable, interesting and timely. She also maintains the laboratory’s’ budget and inventory, taking great care to purchase perishable items in conjunction with the class calendars and assures students have access to the most up-to-date technology. Donna also served on the search committee for the biology department chair and is a member of the technology fees committee, which determines how student fees are spent to maximize benefits to students. Donna’s enthusiasm for biology is most evident when she is mentoring approximately 72 Graduate Teaching Assistants and several undergraduate student employees. She coordinates at least three weekly Graduate Teaching Assistant meetings to guarantee their individual preparation and communication among the group while also providing on- the-job observations and evaluations, with constructive feedback for improvement on their skills and abilities.