WSU employees honored for exceptional grant, contract support

By Karen Hunt, Office of Research

PULLMAN, Wash. – Six Washington State University employees in May received the 2018 Grant and Contract Administration Awards, which recognize employees for exceptional contributions and service in research administration.

Three employees received a Service Recognition Award that recognizes individuals who went above and beyond their expected grant and contract administration responsibilities in their work unit. They include:

• Matt Michener

  Grant and contract coordinator lead for the Office of Research Support and Operations
  Michener’s nominators highlighted his ability to meet tight deadlines, despite a high volume of work, while still providing WSU faculty and staff with the necessary support to be successful in their own work.

• Savannah Tiedeman

  Program coordinator for the Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, with the College of Veterinary Medicine
  Tiedeman’s colleagues noted her positive demeanor and willingness to go the extra mile to find additional grants for faculty members and following up to ensure correct and timely submissions.

• Amanda Yager

  Grant and contract coordinator for the College of Arts and Sciences
  Yager was recognized for her ability to keep up with a diverse range of trends and regulations in a college that applies for a wide variety of grant opportunities, from music to fine arts to physics.

Three employees received the Contribution Recognition Award, which honors individuals whose meritorious efforts have made a unique difference on the WSU system, locally, regionally, nationally and/or internationally in the field of grant and contract administration.  Recipients include:

• Emilie Cousins

  Fiscal analyst for the School of Molecular Biosciences
  Cousins was honored for her contributions in establishing internal programs to keep faculty informed about current and upcoming grants, which has helped increase submission numbers and the success rate of submissions in her school.

• Bev Rhoades

  Director of administration for the College of Education
  Rhoades’ nominators emphasized her work in training and supporting employees across the WSU system, while wearing many hats for the college. She also has helped lead many research initiatives and best practices at WSU.

• Ty Simanson

  Fiscal specialist supervisor for the Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, with the College of Veterinary Medicine
  Simanson, described by colleagues as being very well-versed in grant policies, was recognized for his leading work in grant administration, including volunteering with other WSU departments to train staff and review procedures.

Recipients received their awards during a WSU Research Council ceremony on May 24. The Grant and Contract Administration Awards are jointly sponsored by the Office of Research and the Office of Finance and Administration.

Contact:

• Karen Hunt, public relations coordinator, Office of Research, 206-219-2427, karen.hunt@wsu.edu