Julie McWilliams

The winners of the 2010 Models of Excellence Awards have been selected, and top honors go to Penny Creedon of the Graduate School of Education, who introduced innovative student recruitment processes enabling the school to meet its student expansion goals; and the Out on a Limb Adventure Team at the Morris Arboretum, which designed a unique experience that significantly increased the number of visitors. Out on a Limb gives visitors a bird’s-eye view of the forest to help them better understand that environment.

Five Information Systems & Computing employees on the Alex’s Virtual Lemonade Stand Team will receive an honorable mention. They used innovative technology, such as blogs and videoconferences, to help connect 38 schools across the country and one in Taiwan to support the fundraising efforts of their team partner, Lower Merion School District, to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

Also, the 13-member Non-Profit Institute Team is being recognized with an honorable mention for enhancing the leadership and management skills of local non-profit leaders.

Three outstanding managers are finalists for the 2010 Model Supervisor Award: Sharon Moorer Aylor, executive director of staff and labor relations, Human Resources; Janice Orlov, budget director in finance and administration, Wharton School; and Carol Pooser, executive director of external affairs, School of Arts and Sciences. Penn President Amy Gutmann will present the award at a ceremony scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, at the Annenberg Center.

The Models of Excellence winners, chosen from a field of 26 nominations with 179 staff members, were selected for their contributions to Penn that embody the standards of the program: creativity, leadership, extraordinary service and cost-effectiveness.

The Penn community is invited to attend the award ceremonies. For more information or to receive an invitation, call HR at 215-898-1012 or visit www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/Models.