Wardwell named Outstanding Research Administrator for 2021

Lynn Wardwell, senior grants manager and fiscal officer for Maine Sea Grant at the University of Maine, has been named UMaine’s Outstanding Research Administrator for 2021. This award, which is sponsored by UMaine’s Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, recognizes distinguished service by staff who support advancement of the university’s research enterprise.

Wardwell has served as the fiscal officer for Sea Grant for 23 years, coordinating the development, submission and post-award management of grants. She leads fiscal management activities and oversees all university accounts for the program in collaboration with other Maine Sea Grant administrators, and UMaine and NOAA fiscal officers. Her management responsibilities include budgeting, assigning day-to-day purchasing, account resolution and maintaining complex and comprehensive records of all department-related activities.

In addition, Wardwell implements grant policies of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), UMaine and other public and private funders, including those that involve providing grant reporting and policy guidance materials and training for Sea Grant staff, funded researchers and students to ensure compliance with UMaine’s Office of Research Administration (ORA) requirements. As UMaine’s liaison to the National Sea Grant Fiscal Officers’ Network, she responds to all inquiries from the national office relating to grant administration, reporting and program impact.

Beyond her expertise and knowledge of Sea Grant programs and partners, Wardwell remains connected to her colleagues, checking in with them regularly and maintaining close friendships with many.

According to her nominator, her genuine interest in all areas of Sea Grant’s programmatic work coupled with her deep institutional knowledge make her invaluable.

But it is not only her fellow Sea Grant employees who recognize Wardwell’s excellence.

“She has been instrumental in ensuring budgets and other supporting documents are in order for Sea Grant proposal submissions and resulting awards,” wrote a colleague in ORA. “She is thorough when requesting information and submitting requests on Sea Grant-related projects. What impresses me most is her attention to detail and her ability to keep track of the many Sea Grant projects, which is no small task. I know I can call upon her anytime with questions and be confident that I will receive a prompt response. She is also quick to offer assistance and search for information needed to process documents. I cannot overemphasize how much I appreciate Lynn’s commitment to her job.”

Wardwell will receive her award at a drive-thru employee recognition event scheduled for May 21.