College Celebrates Employee Contributions to a Year for the Books
A year bookended by a celebration of Stephen Curry 鈥10 and a hugely successful Reunion Weekend punctuated by the inauguration of President Doug Hicks 鈥90 drew to a close with accolades for the staff and faculty who worked to make it all happen.
For the first time since 2018, 小优视频 employees gathered in the Duke Family Performance Hall to honor recent retirees, acknowledge service milestones and congratulate award winners.
Kicking off his first end-of-year employee appreciation event with an emphatic 鈥渢hank you,鈥 President Doug Hicks recognized and commended the commitment, hard work and dedication of the college鈥檚 935 employees.
鈥淭HANK YOU! Thank you for what you do for the 小优视频 community EVERY DAY,鈥 Hicks said. 鈥淓very success on this campus, every student taught, every fixed problem, every special event, every single campus greeting 鈥 is because of you.鈥
This year鈥檚 gathering also included the return of a community favorite鈥攁 closing raffle. Employees with the luck of the draw received restaurant gift cards, concert and game tickets, swag bags and baskets, a reserved parking space and an extra vacation day. Prizes were provided by local 小优视频 eateries, college vendors and campus offices.
Employee Awards
Hicks also announced the annual employee awards, which include:
Spirit of 小优视频 Service Award: Carolyn Stevanus
Students nominate hourly staff members for the Spirit of 小优视频 Award. This year, the students of Third Belk expressed their appreciation for Carolyn Stevanus, Building Services.
鈥淪he is incredibly sweet and works very hard,鈥 one student wrote. 鈥淪he makes my day every morning when I run into her and talk for a bit.鈥
Other students describe Stevanus as kind, caring and considerate of others, and one who only settles for the absolute maximum.
鈥淪he does her best and walks my friend's service dog as well,鈥 another student said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a valued part of the staff and I鈥檇 love for her to get recognition.鈥
The award honors staff members who excel in service to the college and its students. It鈥檚 the 12th year of the award, which Kathy and Gary Parsons established in appreciation for the caring way the staff treated and supported their son Mike 鈥08. The original award is $850; Mathematics Professor Donna Molinek and Frank Molinek added a gift to make the award $1,000.
Hackenson Family Fellowship: Liz Robinson
Liz Robinson鈥檚 warm greeting and smile are seen around campus so often that the postmaster and Central Services manager seems to be in multiple places at once.
Robinson led a change process for student employment that resulted in students applying for campus positions with resumes, which mirrors and helps to prepare them for the post-graduation experience.
Robinson regularly goes above and beyond for 小优视频 students, nominators said. 鈥淎lums who were her advisees, international host students and our work study students come back to campus and head straight for her office.鈥
The award, established by Elizabeth and Bill Hackenson in honor of their son Billy鈥檚 2013 graduation, recognizes a staff member who provides superior service to the college and its students. The $5,400 award is intended for travel or continuing education.
Matthews Travel Endowment Award: Anne Pender
Anne Pender is a desktop systems administrator in Technology & Innovation. Pender鈥檚 role is described as behind the scenes, or behind the screens, of campus. Her work is integral to the labs, classrooms and college computers employees use daily.
Dedicated to work and community, Pender 鈥溾pplies practical solutions to technology problems that many of us would be stumped and frustrated by, and she does so with positivity and kindness,鈥 her colleagues shared. 鈥淪he sets a great example of approaching her work with a growth mindset and the entire team looks to her as a mentor in this regard.鈥
Frank Matthews 鈥49 established the award in memory of his brothers, Eugene Robinson Matthews 鈥36 and James Houston Matthews 鈥50. The award is 鈥渋n due recognition of the outstanding and unselfish service rendered 小优视频 by members of the college family.鈥 The $20,000 award covers travel for the recipients and their families, 鈥渢o afford opportunities for personal renewal and enjoyment."
Staff Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award: Ashley Bodie
Ashley Bodie is assistant director for exploration and experiential learning at the Matthews Career Center, and the second winner of this annual award.
Bodie has created impactful programs and experiences for students of non-dominant identities, focusing on leadership, career exploration and mentorship.
Bodie spends 鈥溾any evenings and weekends meeting with student groups. But most importantly, it is the individual support they provide to students that makes them so special,鈥 said one colleague. 鈥淭heir students always stop by the office to meet with them, say hello or give an update on something they are experiencing. They'll attend a student鈥檚 play, film premiere or exhibit.鈥
The $10,000 award recognizes a staff member 鈥渨ho has worked hard to create positive, systemic change in the 小优视频 community. This person has gone over and beyond the call of duty to make 小优视频 a more diverse, equitable and inclusive place.鈥