University faculty and staff were honored June 7 at the Nevada Women's Fund 16th annual celebration of Women of Achievement event.

Wendy Calvin, research associate professor in the geological sciences and engineering department, Jennifer Kimmel, associate dean of medical education at the University's School of Medicine, Jewel Radcliffe, custodial worker from the facilities operations department and Sina Ward, senior outreach coordinator for the Sanford Center for Aging, were recognized for their work and their accomplishments.

The Women of Achievement event began in 1992 as a fundraiser for scholarships and grants for women and children in Nevada. The event has grown to become the largest women's fundraiser in the state and a rare honor to be lauded in the ceremony.

"Women of Achievement offers the opportunity for local businesses and institutions to honor their female employees," Wendy Hutchings, executive assistant at the Nevada Women's Fund said.

According to Hutchings, the Women of Achievement are represented in the event program, including a short biography and a photograph. They are also treated to breakfast and lunch during the event. Keynote speaker Mavis Nicholson Leno will speak on her activism for the women of Afghanistan and oppressed women worldwide during the event.

"It's just a day to be pampered by their employers and receive recognition from their companies," Hutchings said.

Wendy Calvin has a vast experience in the field of planetary science and geological sciences, with her current involvement in several research projects, including the Mars Rover program. Calvin also works at the Arthur Brant Laboratory for Exploration Geophysics alongside colleague Jim Taranik, regents professor and director of the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, who also nominated her for award.

"She has probably done more to advance science and the visibility of the college of science than many of the faculty in a short period of time," Taranik said. "Wendy is really regarded as one of the top scientists in her field."

Calvin worked for her bachelor's degree in physics from Denver University and finished her doctorate degree at the University of Colorado.

Calvin was then an Alexander von Humboldt Post-Doctorate Fellow at a German University, according to Taranik. Once returning to the United states, she worked for the U.S. Geological Survey's Geophysics Group in Denver than at the USGS Center for Astrogeology in Flagstaff, Ariz. Calvin is credited as being the first scientist to discover oxygen on Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede.

Calvin has published her research in many significant articles in the internationally renowned journal, Science. Calvin's extensive work in science and her mentoring abilities to students in the department of geological science make her an outstanding candidate as a Woman of Achievement.

Jennifer Kimmel's commitment to her work has engendered many accolades from her colleagues and the medical students with whom she works. Kimmel is both a University alumni and has taught for the University of Nevada School of Medicine after receiving her master's degree from the University.

Kimmel has received several other awards for her professionalism and her commitment in the medical field.

According to Cheryl Hug-English, a colleague and associate dean admissions and student affairs, Kimmel has been awarded the Outstanding Resident Award three years in a row while training for her residency, from 1997 to 1999. Kimmel's most recent award was the 2004 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine, which was awarded to Kimmel by the School of Medicine's graduating class of 2004 and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

Along with working as an associate dean at the University, Kimmel has garnered experience in local hospitals including St. Mary's Hospital and the Washoe County Clinic.

Kimmel has garnered respect from the medical students as well as from her colleagues from her extensive interaction with them. Along with her work with the University, Kimmel also volunteers at the Student Outreach Clinic, which is run by University students who provide health care to medically indigent patients.

"Jennifer is committed and dedicated, honest and sincere, passionate about medicine and caring for patients," Hug-English said. "Dr. Kimmel defines the true meaning of professional."

Jewel Radcliffe has been custodian for the Clark Administration Building since 1987. Radcliffe started working at the University in 1974 as a cashier in the snack bar at the Jot Travis Student Union. In 1979, she began to work for Central Services.

Radcliffe's commitment to the University is evident in the time she devotes to the University community. Apart from her custodial services, Radcliffe also serves on the Staff Employee's Council, Classified Merit, Awards Luncheon, Open House, Classified Employee Recognition and Student Services Food, Retail Dining and Catering committees.

Radcliffe has received many honors in her years at the University. She was awarded the Administration and Finance's Outstanding Service Award in 1996 and the Classified Employee of the Year in 2005. Radcliffe has also been nominated for the Classified Employee of the Year four times.

Sina Ward was nominated by Sierra Pacific Power Company. She manages the Senior Outreach Services program in Washoe County. The program is part of the national Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Washoe County and is sponsored by the Universities Sanford Center for Aging. Ward is responsible for recruiting, training and connecting senior volunteers with other elders who are in need of help.

Ward was instrumental in the initiation of a partnership between Sierra Pacific and RSVP. She helped develop a program called Sierra Pacific Senior Power.

The program allows Sierra Pacific employees to assist frail and home-bound seniors reduce utility costs and better conserve energy by weatherization and replacement of appliances that are not working or not energy efficient. This program is now statewide and has the potential to go national.

Student writer Guia Del Prado can be reached at gi261@hotmail.com.

Student writer Sarah Licausi contributed to this story. She can be reached at licausis@yahoo.com.