NOTY Awards

The NOTY (Not Old Timers Yet) Award is given to one first time conference attendee whose name went into a drawing once the Newcomer had collected ten business cards from attendees who have been to more than one conference. The newcomers hand out stars when they receive business cards.

A second NOTY Award is given to an attendee who has been to more than one conference, and whose name was placed into the drawing after collecting ten stars from a first time conference attendee.

The prize for the NOTY Award has been a $25.00 Gift Card. This award is a way to encourage newcomers and not so newcomers to interact.

Adrian Adams Memorial Travel Grant

Last year, the NAOSMM organization lost a dedicated member, Adrian Adams of Ball State Univeristy. Adrian began his career at Ball State University as the Chemistry Laboratory Manager in 1978. He joined NAOSMM in 1981 and attended many conferences with his wife, Barbara, and their two children. In 2002, Adrian was awarded the Outstanding Scientific Materials Manager. Sadly, Adrian passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Lamar Houston Award

The Executive Board of NAOSMM implemented an award in 2008 to honor individuals whose service to NAOSMM is beyond the category of outstanding or exceptional. The Lamar Houston Award is named in honor of our founder who had the inspiration to establish NAOSMM in 1974.

Lori Keen, Calvin College,
Biology Department

The 2009 Lamar Houston Award was presented to Lori for her untiring support and service to NAOSMM. Lori has been a member since 1990, and holds the position of chair of the Marketing and Membership Recruitment Committee. Lori has served on the NAOSMM Executive Board as Secretary (93-97) and Vice President (97-99). Lori has also served on various committees including, Certification, (co-chair) and Constitution and Bylaws (chair) and Awards. Lori was also a major contributor of the conference 2001 conference held in Grand Rapids, MI.

Tammy Subotich
^{Old Dominion University
Chemistry & Biochemistry Dept.}

Mary Hayward
^{Old Dominion University
Biological Sciences}

Thank you, Tammy and Mary for all the work you both have contributed for a fantastic conference!

Ruth White
^{Frederick Community College}

Ruth White, Chemistry Department Manager at Frederick Community College was presented lifetime status from Carol Bowman, President.

Mo Hijazi, Chemistry Department Manager at University of California at Santa Barbara was presented lifetime status from Carol Bowman.

Mo Hijazi
^{Frederick Community College}

Karen Miller, received Outstanding Service Award from Carol Bowman, President for all the work on the Hospitality/Member Interaction Committee. Under Karen's leadership, the NOTY awards was established which has been a wonderful means for new members and attendees to interact with established members. Thank you, Karen!

Karen Miller
^{Weber State University}

Scientific Materials Managers of The Year

This year, the Awards Committee selected two worthy individuals to receive the Outstanding Manager of the Year Award. The Committee selected Joanne Brown from Haverford College and Janice Westerling from the State University of New York, Potsdam. Dave Derkacz of Kimble Chase Life presented the two awardees with a plaque and a Frabel crystal glass seagull sculpture.

Joanne Brown - Haverford College

Joanne Brown’s career in the scientific management field began after her graduation from Chestnut Hill College in 1991 with a BS in Biology. She was hired by the Biology Department of Saint Joseph’s University to work as the Laboratory Supply Coordinator. She was responsible for ordering supplies, managing budgets, preparing laboratory materials and running the stockroom. The faculty at SJU gave her high praise. “I can honestly say that I have never worked with anyone that was more dedicated and competent than Ms. Brown”, said Dr. John Tudor. “Joanne is a dedicated and diligent individual. She had a strong vested interest in the department, faculty and students. Joanne was always one of the first to volunteer her time”, said Dr. Paul Tefft.

After 11 years at SJU, Brown left to take her current position at Haverford College as the Purchasing and Stockroom Manager for the Biology and Chemistry Departments. There too, she earns admiration from those she works with. Karl Johnson, current Chair of Biology says, “Joanne Brown is a generous colleague who always goes beyond the call. Simply but, Joanne makes it possible for us to focus on our teaching and research! We are extremely grateful for her support, enhanced by her ongoing relationships with NAOSMM.”

It was during her first year at SJU that Brown was introduced to NAOSMM by Barbara Neff. Ms. Brown attended her first conference in 1992, missed the show in 1993, but has been to every conference since 1994. She has continually been involved in NAOSMM since joining. In her nomination letter, fellow NAOSMM member Linda Perez wrote, “ There has never been a time where [Joanne] just sat back and watched others run the organization. Joanne has shown her true support and dedication to the success of this organization.”

Joanne was a member of the Hospitality Committee early on and was the Newsline Ad Manager for five years. In 2001, she was elected Treasurer, serving two terms. In 2005, she was elected President. She also served as Interim Chairperson to both the Awards Committee and the Site Selection Committee. Ms. Brown is currently the Co-Editor of the NAOSMM Newsline.

Brown has also been active in the campus life of both SJU and Haverford. Over the years, she has volunteered on numerous committees including Lab Safety, Staff Council, Middle States Accreditation and was one of two staff representatives on the Presidential Search Committee at Haverford. Brown has show an ongoing commitment to her own professional development by earning an MS in Environmental Protection and Safety Management in 1997 and an MBA in 2004, both from Saint Joseph’s University. Additionally, Joanne earned the designation of Certified Scientific Materials Manager in 1996 and became a Lifetime CSMM in 2000.

Joanne would like to thank everyone who wrote letters of support for her nomination. “I sincerely appreciate the thoughtful words of past and present colleagues and NAOSMM members who wrote letters on my behalf. I am so grateful to all the wonderful relationships I have made with other NAOSMM members. I treasure them like my own family. I am deeply honored to have received this award from an organization I hold in such high regard.”

Janice Westerling - State University of New York, Potsdam

Janice Westerling joined the SUNY Potsdam Chemistry Department in 1998 and works as an Instructional support Specialist and Chemistry Stockroom Manager. In their nomination letter, Westerling’s co-workers praised her organizational skills and her talent as an educator.

Westerling has a BA in Biology from Temple University in Philadelphia and an MS in Zoology from the University of Minnesota. She also holds a permanent Secondary Teaching Certification in biology, chemistry and general science, obtained from SUNY Potsdam. Janice became a NAOSMM Certified Scientific Materials Manager in 2004 and is currently working on her recertification.

Janice served on the NAOSMM Board as Secretary from 2005 to 2007. As a regular columnist for the NAOSMM Newsline, she has written 20 articles on current topics in scientific materials management. She has also served on various NAOSMM committees including Hospitality and Certification.

Outside of work, Janice is an avid swimmer, and participated in the Swim a Mile for Hospice. She is a violinist, playing in the St. Lawrence University Orchestra. She lives with her husband Cliff in a renovated 1830s farmhouse on Moore’s Hill outside of Potsdam.

Westerling expressed appreciation to her department and SUNY Potsdam for the support that has allowed her to participate in NAOSMM activities. “It helps us to remain current in the field to maintain both efficiency and maximum safety as we manage our inventory of chemical supplies, “she noted. “And the closer relationships with suppliers provide us benefits in terms of processing and pricing.”