Ann O. Kennedy had been in charge of reviewing and processing grants and contractual agreements for the School of Medicine since she arrived at the University in 1973. In fiscal year 1992-93, the school was awarded nearly $120 million from federal agencies and private foundations.
The award citation praised Kennedy’s highly skilled and completely dedicated work. She and her assistant reviewed about 1,200 research grants and about 900 contracts with companies and state agencies each year.
“It is her cheerful, outgoing willingness to master problems and deal with them effectively that causes the work product of her office to carry with it a protective cachet of excellence when it is received by funding agencies,” the citation said. “Knowing scientists understand that her management of their proposals and grants is ‘money in the bank’ for their scientific research.”
Kennedy earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Georgia. The former Chapel Hill Mother of the Year was among the first recipients of a Chancellor’s Award, which recognizes loyal and dedicated service to the University.