Three staff members, including one of the first to be honored posthumously, have been named winners of Case Western Reserve University's 2003 President's Award for Distinguished Service.

This year's winners are Madelyn Miller of development services, John Tizzano of plant services and Dorothy Pijan, former director of Thwing Center and student activities.

The honorees who exemplify outstanding citizenship through excellence in performance, service and commitment to the University receive $500 cash awards, and their names are inscribed on a plaque displayed in Tomlinson Hall.

The award for Pijan, who died in January, will be donated to the Dorothy Pijan Memorial Fund at CWRU.

The recipients of the President's Award for Distinguished Service were recognized at the annual staff service award luncheon this month along with employees who have worked 10 and 25 years at the University.

Madelyn Miller

Miller, director of development services, has worked at CWRU for 26 years.

Madelyn Miller

In addition to leading and mentoring current and new development staff, Miller has been known to process checks, answer phones, change addresses or copy and file-"whatever needs to be done for whoever needs help at the time," one nominator wrote.

She has consistently donated her time to and supported with contributions University projects like the Veale Center, Kelvin Smith Library and most recently, the new alumni house. She has served on several University committees, including as co-chair of the Charity Choice campaign multiple times.

Last year, she was instrumental in inspiring the development services department to help a management student raise more than $22,000 for orphans in Kenya. She also coordinated an office decorating contest, admission to which was a can of food, game or puzzle, hat or gloves to be donated to the Cleveland Food Bank. The office raised two pick-up truckloads of items that were delivered to the food bank that Christmas.

In addition to her service on-campus, Miller also is well-known for championing causes off campus, including United Appeal, the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity.

"Whether its burning the midnight oil, braving the Cleveland weather or working through illness, she has never failed to provide excellent service to those who need it as well as personal support for her employees and colleagues," another nominator wrote.

John Tizzano

John Tizzano

A CWRU employee for more than 22 years, Tizzano, a skilled trades worker II in plant services, is known across campus for his emphasis on safety as well as service.

In one of many examples from nominators, Tizzano took the initiative to replace a set of doors in the White Building—in a matter of days—because the doors did not have windows and people could not see through to the other side before opening them.

In addition to his concern for the welfare of others on campus, Tizzano is one of the most efficient employees in plant services-he has the lowest backlog of projects in the department—and one of the most extolled. Members of the campus community continually send letters and e-mails praising his "responsiveness, professionalism and sensitivity to the needs of his clients," a nominator wrote.

Tizzano also exhibits outstanding service and citizenship through his participation in the apheresis platelet donation program that supports people undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

"John represents the highest ideals of plant services as well as Case Western Reserve University. Service, commitment and caring are the attributes that John brings to this institution, and we're all better off because he's here," the nominator continued.

Dorothy Pijan

Pijan, who served as director of Thwing center and student activities from 1982 until her death earlier this year, touched several lives as a dedicated co-worker, cherished mentor and "ever-dedicated CWRU Spartan," one nominator wrote.

Dorothy Pijan

Many of CWRU's long-standing traditions, like homecoming, family weekend and the Hudson Relays, and newer events, including the Faculty-Staff Talent Show, orientation performances by the CWRUtones and football pre-game receptions for families, were either established or revived under her guidance.

She served as adviser to the Golden Key Honor Society and Thwing Advisory Board and scheduled a series of forums entitled "Speak-out Against Prejudice" that drew hundreds of faculty, staff and students and inspired a campus movement-including buttons and posters featuring that slogan-of inclusion.

"Serving the students was her passion, and Dorothy sought to improve university life in every way possible," another nominator wrote.

Pijan also was an active member of the Association of College Unions International and held several offices, including regional representative, vice president of regional affairs, president and member of the executive board.

She was active with the National Association of Campus Activities and the Association of Community and University Concert Managers.

 

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