Ferrari presents ‘Ferrari’ to Connie Molnar

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Although she is naturally a quiet person, Connie Molnar’s influence is felt all across the Bowling Green State University campus and she has helped BGSU earn state recognition. When it came time for nominations for the 2013 Michael R. Ferrari Award, Molnar’s colleagues felt it was time for her to take her well-deserved place in the spotlight.

Molnar was presented the award April 3 by none other than “Mick” Ferrari himself, at the annual reception hosted by Administrative Staff Council. The former interim president was on hand to mark the 30th anniversary of Administrative Staff Council and lauded BGSU for its “enduring ethos of a commitment to collegiality, decency and civility.”

The award honors administrative staff members who model the qualities Ferrari was known for when he served at BGSU: innovation and initiative, exceptional performance and a strong relationship with the University community. It comes with $1,000 and a reserved parking space for a year.

The director of the Center for Online and Blended Learning (COBL) for the past 10 years, and before that a key member of the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology, Molnar creates online classes for traditional and nontraditional students, enabling faculty to do their jobs better. “Bringing the campus together one course at a time is the way I would describe what Connie does for us,” said nominator John Ellinger, chief information officer. “By her outstanding performance, Connie levels the playing field for everyone and brings quality service to the members of our community. Her vision of what online and blended learning can be for BGSU is exceptional and cutting edge.”

She also has strengthened classroom technology capabilities on campus, said Dr. Savilla Banister, acting director of the Center of Excellence in 21st Century Educator Preparation. Molnar has been a “supportive and informative resource, working to assist faculty and students in becoming premier teachers and learners in the virtual world.”

She has worked statewide building a consortium to support a Quality Matters review process to affirm the value of online course offerings at BGSU and other Ohio colleges and universities, and has helped bring recognition of BGSU as a Center of Excellence in e-Learning by the Ohio Board of Regents and the Ohio Learning Network.

As a colleague, she is noted for her professionalism, problem-solving abilities and determination, and for thoughtful communication with students, staff and faculty. “Connie consistently showed a genuine sensitivity and caring for each individual she worked with,” listening quietly and without judgment, offering advice and deep insight and finding common ground, said Anthony Short, co-general manager of WBGU, who served with Molnar as ASC co-chair.

A strong believer in getting outside one’s own office to volunteer for University efforts and engage with peers, Molnar encourages others to do the same, said Michael Kudela, an instructional designer in COBL.

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(Posted April 04, 2013 )