Dennis P. Cuddy Manager, Administration and Facilities,
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry 2008-2009 University System of Maryland Board of Regents’ Award for Exceptional Contribution to the Institution
Since he was hired nine years ago, Dennis Cuddy Cuddy’s contributions to the teaching and research mission of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry have been invaluable. He works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that laboratories, classrooms, offices and business process of the Meyerhoff Chemistry Building are operating well.
In addition to his day-to-day tasks, Cuddy has also worked on several major projects in which his leadership, organization skills and technical expertise were a necessity. Cuddy was the department’s manager for the $34-million renovation of the Meyerhoff Chemistry Building. His masterful coordination of the project required working with contractors and faculty to keep classrooms and laboratories running throughout the three-phased renovation. Largely due to his management, the project won a leadership award in 2003.
Cuddy has also contributed to the Chemistry Discovery Center, a project that uses a teamwork approach to learning rather than just lecture. The facility needed to be operational within a short period of time, and Cuddy made it happen by making sure the room was prepared with proper equipment and seating. The program is not only a success in the department but is also being used as a model by the physics and mathematics departments.
Cuddy has also taken on responsibility for coordinating the department’s annual Undergraduate Research Symposium (even though it’s not directly related to his primary responsibilities). The symposium has grown from 60 to 300 students, who come from all over the east coast. Because of Cuddy’s efforts, the event is now funded through the National Institutes of Health. Characteristically, many of Cuddy’s efforts go on behind the scenes, making it possible for the work of students and faculty to shine.
Cuddy earned a double B.S. in Biology and Microbiology at Penn State University (now Molecular and Cellular Biology).
