Human Resources Business Partner Lori Walston-Vonderharr is the recipient of the Prairie Research Institute’s 2024 Distinguished Support Staff Award, which recognizes non-scientific support staff who have shown exceptional performance and outstanding service in their work and are making an impact on PRI.
Walston-Vonderharr’s colleagues describe her dedication, organization, and tact as she juggles many searches, HR issues, personalities, hiring rules, project sponsor rules, and visa processes. She smoothly, efficiently, and effectively moves staff and candidates through the promotion and hiring processes —and makes staff feel empowered. She is also a champion for diversity through every step of the HR process and provides clarity and consistency in promotions and equity issues.
Nathan Webb, an Illinois State Geological Survey research scientist, wrote that he couldn’t speak to the entire breadth of her accomplishments, but his experiences working with Walston-Vonderharr paint “a consistent picture of a person who cares deeply about the people she works with and strives to provide the highest level of support possible to everyone she interacts with.”
“Lori is always quick to offer innovative solutions to solve complex problems while clearly laying out alternatives with appropriate details about which options are most advantageous from the ISGS standpoint, but also most advantageous from the standpoint of the job candidate,” Webb wrote.
Randy Locke, a principal research scientist at ISGS, also recommended Walston-Vonderharr for the award, noting that her guidance in hiring searches has been essential and she facilitates the process to its best possible outcome.
“Lori has extensive knowledge of hiring processes, campus procedures, and search management systems,” he wrote. “She has a sympathetic, practical and upbeat approach to her work that is highly reliable.”
ISGS Director and Illinois State Geologist Richard Berg explained that Walston-Vonderharr is “absolutely masterful” at the process of promotions and ensuring pay is equitable and competitive, something he said “is critical to the growth of ISGS, other surveys, and PRI,” as well as for staff retention. He noted her deservingness and that “her commitment to the collective ‘us’ is second to none.”
“As a long-standing ISGS employee, and now a long-standing PRI employee as well, Lori has exemplified and personified the definition of ‘support.’ As a human resources professional, she is perhaps the most organized and diligent person with which I have ever worked,” Berg wrote.
