Sherrie Norman, research support specialist in the School of Integrative Plant Science, earned the Core Value Staff Award for Self-Development in a ceremony Oct. 30 celebrating research, extension and staff excellence. Dean Kathryn J. Boor '80 recongized Norman for her ability to manage work in an organized, professional and thoughtful manner for more than 25 years at Cornell.
In plant breeding, activities are ruled by growing seasons and weather. Research is a long-term process, where something that goes wrong in one growing season can mean a year-long delay until the next growing season, or worse, a loss of irreplaceable material. Norman manages the activities of the corn breeding project in Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, where she is crucial to keeping the project functioning smoothly. She is charged with juggling and adjusting plans on a daily or hourly basis to meet the needs of the research, the field activities of cooperating farmers, the schedules and lives of multiple employees and the weather. Colleagues have expressed appreciation for Norman's ability to remain up-to-date on ever-changing data collection software and equipment while serving as a professional and welcoming ambassador for CALS.
The Core Value Staff Awards recognize staff whose performance has gone far beyond the standards defined by Cornell’s Skills for Success, recognizing performance that surpasses expectations and makes a significant and/or unique contribution to the college. The award for self-development recognizes individuals that seek and act on opportunities for development and takes measures to ensure personal well-being and balance. Recognition is earned by working continuously to learn and improve while applying new skills to evolving assignments.
"Sherrie executes a complex juggling act of responsibilities with efficiency, thoughtfulness and grace — and continues to keep up with her skills through an ongoing investment in self-development," Boor said at the event.
► Meet all of our 2017 Research, Extension and Staff Award winners
