Cordes Earns Rural Health Award

A UNL agricultural economist has earned the National Rural Health Association's Distinguished Researcher Award.

Sam Cordes, (shown at right), director of UNL's Center for Rural Community Revitalization and Development, received the award May 17 in Minneapolis. The National Rural Health Association honors one researcher annually based on research accomplishments, significance of rural health work, sophistication of scholarly effort and evidence of outcome.

Cordes has been instrumental in demonstrating the connection between rural health and community development, his nomination stated. His greatest research contributions have been in community economics, rural health delivery and rural policy analysis.

He helped create and is Nebraska coordinator for the Rural Policy Research Institute, a consortium that analyzes rural impacts of policy issues. He helped organize and serves on three RUPRI expert panels examining rural implications of health delivery, health care economics and Medicare changes.

Cordes has testified before Congress on rural health issues and provided research-based information about how policy choices affect rural life.

Rees Receives Charman Award

Kathleen Rees, (shown at left), assistant professor in the department of Textiles, Clothing and Design was recently awarded the Elaine Charman Outstanding Professor Award at the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences Week of Excellence Awards Banquet.

The Charman monetary award is presented in alternate years to faculty within the college for their outstanding effectiveness of teaching, innovation, method of instruction, general rapport with students, faculty and administration.

Gary Heusel Named State 4-H Leader

A South Dakota administrator has been named state 4-H program leader in Cooperative Extension at UNL.

Gary L. Heusel replaces Delwyn Dearborn, who retires June 30. As state 4-H program leader, Heusel will coordinate activities and oversee support staff in a program with over 91,000 youth participants.

Heusel brings a wealth of county, state and national 4-H administrative experience. Prior to his Nebraska appointment, Heusel served as state 4-H program leader for South Dakota's Cooperative Extension, where he developed partnerships with the private sector, the university, state government, and national and international youth development professionals. Heusel received his doctorate in education from the University of Illinois.

UNL Groundwater Advocate Honored

A tireless advocate of groundwater protection, Robert Kuzelka received the Bruce Baugh Memorial Award for individual environmental efforts from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department April 22.

Kuzelka is assistant to the director of the Water Center/Environmental Programs unit at UNL and also directs the Groundwater Guardian program for the Lincoln-based Groundwater Foundation.

He served as a member of the university's Conservation and Survey Division from 1979 to 1989 when he joined the Water Center.

Bonner, McNeil Receive Kudos Honors

Mardi Bonner, clerical assistant III in the Research Grants and Contracts Office, and Elaine McNeil, secretary in the Department of Military Science, received university Kudo awards for the month of June. The awards were presented June 3 at the Board of Regents meeting.

Mardi Bonner (shown at right) has been a UNL employee for 17 years, the past 13 with the Research Grants and Contracts Office. She accurately enters complex information into the database system, providing the basis for all monthly reports, quarterly reports, and the annual report. Having actively participated in cross-training, Mardi assumes additional duties in the absence of other secretaries in the office. Many units and administrators on campus rely on her accuracy and abilities. Mardi is also actively involved in UNOPA, as well as the Girl Scouts, Shriner's organization, Lincoln Lutheran Schools, and the University Lutheran Chapel.

"Over the years I have found that my questions about grant and contract data, information about individual grants and contracts and the aggregated information are best directed to Mardi," her nominator said. "She has unfailingly responded in a timely and gracious manner to my requests with complete, useful and accurate information. I enthusiastically and without reservation endorse her Kudo nomination."

Elaine McNeil (shown at left) has worked at UNL for seven years. She was the mainstay in the smooth transition of the new Military Science Department chairperson, handling all aspects of the changeover in a professional and efficient manner. Elaine receives accolades for her courteous and cooperative "front office" skills. She continually takes the initiative to expand her learning and seeks ways to add to her areas of expertise.

"Elaine's outstanding performance in a multitude of areas sets her apart as one who consistently performs above and beyond the position requirements," her nominator said. "Elaine's superb understanding of university procedures and flawless handling of all assignments reflects great credit upon her, the Department of Military Science, and the University of Nebraska."

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