ANN ARBOR, Mich. — At the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS), people know who to call when something breaks, leaks, stalls, floods or simply needs to be figured out.
For the last eight years, Facilities Manager Scott Haley has earned the admiration and respect of staff, scientists and students at the historic research and teaching campus in northern Michigan.
“We refer to Scott as ‘MacGyver’ because he can fix things with just a wire or an extra spare part he found on a piece of metal in the recycling bin,” said Renee Kinney, maintenance supervisor at UMBS. “Plus, he’s a genuine person with an amazing heart. I’m honored to work with him.”
The University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) selected Haley as the winner of the 2026 Positive Contributions to LSA Community and Culture Award.
He accepted the award Thursday, May 14, during a ceremony at Rackham Auditorium in Ann Arbor.
The annual award recognizes an LSA staff member who helps build a positive, inclusive and engaging culture, demonstrates sustained strong performance, and contributes to the community beyond their primary role. The honor includes a framed certificate, recognition at the LSA Staff Achievement Awards and Spring Fling, and a $2,500 prize.
“The Biological Station is one of the happiest places at the University of Michigan, and that is largely due to Scott’s efforts,” said Dr. Aimée Classen, director of UMBS. “He goes above and beyond in every aspect of his work.”
Located in Pellston, about 20 miles south of the Mackinac Bridge, UMBS is one of the nation’s largest and longest continuously operating field research stations. Founded in 1909, the station spans more than 10,000 forested acres surrounded by lakes and rivers, with cabins, laboratories and classrooms nestled along Douglas Lake.
Keeping the aging campus running takes equal parts technical skill, creativity and patience — qualities Haley brings to the job every day.
“When someone needs anything — from a tool to complete research fieldwork, to advice on the best trail to hike, to help fixing a cabin roof or a car — Scott is the first person they turn to,” Classen said. “He always responds with a smile, patience and a willingness to help.”
Haley joined UMBS in April 2018 after a 22-year career with Werner Plumbing & Heating, where the Biological Station had been one of his customers. A Cheboygan native, he studied at a trade school in Texas before returning to Michigan and working in heavy-equipment repair, welding and fabrication, commercial refrigeration, plumbing and heating.
That range of experience has made him a natural fit for UMBS, where the daily work can involve maintaining aging buildings, supporting research needs, solving unexpected problems and helping a summer community that can grow to 275 scientists, students, staff and family members.
“I love working at UMBS. It is a never-ending source of problem solving,” Haley said. “Fixing the things that pop up on a daily basis is one of the many things I very much enjoy.”
Colleagues say Haley’s impact reaches far beyond maintenance and repairs.
“Everyone who has the pleasure of working with Scott understands how much he deserves this award,” said Karie Slavik, associate director of UMBS. “He sets the tone of respect, care and inclusiveness for the entire community. What matters to him is that everyone is happy and productive. And this is possible because of all the work he does behind the scenes.”
Haley said the recognition is meaningful, but he sees his work as part of caring for a place and people he values.
“It is very humbling, to say the least,” Haley said. “While it feels great to be acknowledged, I am just doing my job. The fact that just doing my job has made people feel a certain way, I guess means that I’ve done at least a few things right.”
For Haley, UMBS blends his practical skills with a lifelong love of the natural world.
“This place is very special to me,” Haley said. “Along with the people who come here to work, teach, learn and do research, I have always had a love for everything in the natural world. Working at UMBS and being able to talk with teaching faculty, researchers and students has helped me expand on that.”
He said helping researchers and students build or source materials for their projects gives him a closer look at the purpose behind their work.
“I find the ‘why this is being studied’ puts into perspective a lot of alignment between humans and our impact on the natural world,” Haley said.
Classen said one story in particular captures Haley’s care for the UMBS community. When a group of students accidentally flooded their van after driving into a deep puddle during fieldwork in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Haley did not just point them to a repair service.
“Scott made a six-hour round trip to rescue the students and bring them back to the Pellston campus and then turned around and went to get the van,” Classen said. “He thought they were likely worried about being stuck in a remote area, and he didn’t want them to have to wait.”
UMBS Resident Biologist Adam Schubel said Haley’s generosity is part of what makes him so essential to the station.
“Aside from Scott’s knowledge and industriousness and his mastery at building, maintaining and repairing all things at the Biological Station, he cares deeply for the people and the community,” Schubel said. “His selflessness is unmatched. Scott is one of the kindest, most caring and generous people I know.”
UMBS Operations Specialist Jumanah Saadeh called Haley “the personification of a team player.”
“He’s kind, collaborative, dependable and consistent,” Saadeh said. “We are all thrilled to see Scott receive this well-deserved recognition.”
When he is not keeping UMBS running, Haley enjoys cross-country trips and weekend getaways around Michigan with his wife, Tiffany.
The University of Michigan Biological Station serves as a gathering place to learn from the natural world, advance research and education, and inspire action. We leverage over a century of research and transformative experiences to drive discoveries and solutions to benefit Michigan and beyond.
Our vast campus engages all of the senses. Its remote, natural setting nurtures deep thought and scientific discovery.
Founded in 1909, UMBS supports long-term research and education through immersive, field-based courses and features state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for data collection and analysis to help any field researcher be productive. It is where students and scientists from across the globe live and work as a community to learn from the place.
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