Volume 9
Number 2
July 2000

A SPECIAL DAY FOR
PLANT ACADEMY

First Graduates
of the Supervisor
Leadership Programs
Recognized

On May 18, 2000, 140 Plant Operations managers and supervisors attended graduation ceremonies for 44 candidates in the Plant Academy's Supervisor Leadership Programs. The ceremony was emceed by J. A. Bardouille (JB), Plant Academy Director, and was appropriately held during the last Management Forum of retiring Plant Operations' director, Jim Christenson.

In his commencement address, Hank Baier, associate vice president for Facilities and Operations, congratulated the graduates for their outstanding contributions and dedication to learning and performance improvement in the workplace. He stated, "the primary vision of the University of Michigan is 'excellence in learning' and Plant Operations' vision is 'to be a learning organization, where all staff members are empowered and supported in reaching their full potential.' " He pointed out that the goal of Facilities and Operations is to have the best-trained and best-equipped workforce to properly manage and maintain the largest facility complex in the world. As a result, the Plant Academy is a university within a university that was especially designed to equip our leaders for excellence in their respective positions. Mr. Baier recognized the graduating class as the first of an elite group of alumni who have successfully obtained their certification as graduates of the Supervisor Leadership Programs in the Plant Academy. He expressed the hope that this would be the beginning they seek to 'Grow and Go.'

The University of Michigan's vision for the next 15 years is 'Re-Inventing the University.' Mr. Baier's goal is to re-invent the Facilities and Operations unit by creating opportunities for growth and development for its employees. He wants to see the transferring of skills and knowledge from department to department. He wants the staff to see the various departments in the unit as a collective one as opposed to a collection of many. His vision is for us all to 'Grow and Go.' Grow in knowledge. Grow in skills. Grow in vision. And then to Go throughout the Facilities and Operations unit sharing our knowledge, skills, and vision with the larger campus community as we endeavor to be the best in the world.

JB Bardouille elaborated on the critical role of the Plant Operations Lead Team and that of more than 40 faculty members from across Facilities and Operations and HRAA/HRD who volunteered their services to work with Plant Operations supervisors in their training programs. She also stated that the Plant Academy's Supervisor Leadership Programs are the most comprehensive of its kind in Facilities and Operations in Higher Education in the United States.

Jim Christenson, outgoing Director of Plant Operations, expressed his satisfaction with the role of learning and its impact on the development of a superior workforce in an organization that is experiencing continuous change.

In their brief comments during the presentation of certificates, Plant Operations directors, Rich Robben, U&MS; Nathan Norman, Building Services; Pat Cunningham, Parking & Transportation; and Mike Gaubatz, Grounds & Waste Management, stressed the importance of supervision and leadership development. Linda Hawkes, supervisor in Grounds & Waste Management, responded on behalf of the graduates.

~Submitted by Leslie Smith, Plant Academy

NOTE: We have included a complete list of Plant Academy Graduates and Faculty.

Jim Christenson presents James Williams, Parking & Transportation Services, with his well-earned Plant Academy diploma from the Supervisory Leadership Program.

Graduates Graduates and attendees at the May Management Forum. Photographs by Anna Balhoff, Plant Academy