March 20, 2023

Angela Lynch Named March’s Excellent Eagle

Congratulations to Associate Registrar Angela Lynch! Angie is USC’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of March. Below is what Registrar Rita Dunston had to say about Angie:

“Angie is dedicated to fulfilling her job responsibilities and continuously going the extra mile. She has become an expert on building the course schedule, and working with the department on schedule adjustments. She thinks creatively on how to improve processes within the Registrar’s Office. Angie has built exceptional customer relationships and always gives service with a smile. Grateful to have her as part of the Registrar’s Office.”

Nominate your co-workers for the Excellent Eagle Employee award! It’s easy! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website. Winners receive a reserved parking space for a month!

Questions? Contact Sarah Appleby, USC Recognition Committee Chair.

Michelle Pickham Named February’s Excellent Eagle Employee!

Congratulations to Michelle Pickham! Michelle is USC’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of February. Below is what Maxxx Dennis had to say in their nomination of Michelle:

“Michelle is one of our greatest assets on campus. She is always ready to help and in this instance managed to navigate all compliance issues with our very expensive and specific Pep Band order and get things moving within a very short period of time. Thanks to you and your team!”

Please join us in congratulating Michelle on this well-deserved recognition.

Nominate your co-workers for the Excellent Eagle Employee award! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website. Winners receive a reserved parking space in the lot of their choosing for a month!

Questions? Contact Sarah Appleby, USC Recognition Committee Chair.

Kevin Caffrey Named October’s Excellent Eagle Employee

Kevin Caffrey

Kevin Caffrey

Congratulations to Senior Associate Registrar Kevin Caffrey! Kevin is USC’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of October. Below is what Professor of Geography Dawn Bowen had to say about Kevin:

“Kevin is quick to respond to an email, explain an issue, and devise a solution. He has been very helpful as I learn my new role of Chair of the CAS Curriculum Committee and has guided me through the Course Inventory Management System (CIM). He met with me in August to answer questions, does his best to understand when I can’t fully articulate the nature of the problem, and seems to have solutions as the tip of his fingertips. I sincerely enjoy working with Kevin and am confident that he will have much more to teach me as the semester progresses.”

Nominate your co-workers for the Excellent Eagle Employee award! It’s easy! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website. Winners receive a reserved parking space for a month!

Questions? Contact Sarah Appleby, USC Recognition Committee Chair.

University Staff Council Presents Larry Atkins Awards

On April 21, the USC celebrated this year’s three exceptional winners of the Larry Atkins Award. Nominees for the award are typically the unsung heroes of their departments who always go above and beyond to help and to set a positive example for the community.

The pool of nominees was competitive. Each nomination featured so many glowing anecdotes and proud stories of deserving colleagues that it was difficult to choose the winners. Ultimately, three UMW staff members were selected for recognition, one from each employment category, and were presented with their award at the USC’s April meeting in the HCC Auditorium. President Paino was on hand to congratulate the winners in person.

We’re pleased to announce the following three Atkins Award winners:

Sarah Dewees, Associate Director of the Center for Community Engagement

Sarah’s colleagues in the CCE nominated her for her kindness, energy, enthusiasm, and can-do attitude, crediting her for helping establish the center as one of the most vibrant on campus. Her commitment to the service mission of the center and of UMW at large is evident in all her hard work, from her collaboration with community partners to creating curricula and programs on campus. Sarah’s dedication and thoughtfulness are commendable.

Brian Ogle, Associate Registrar for Student Systems

Brian was recognized by his colleagues in the Registrar’s Office for being a diligent, knowledgeable employee with outstanding communication skills and a positive, helpful nature. His nomination letter pointed to his impeccable work managing all his responsibilities and his willingness to always lend a hand no matter who might need it. His care and concern for his work and for his colleagues is evident and greatly appreciated.

Gilbert (Danny) Carter, Grounds Worker

Danny was an integral part of the restoration of the Run-In Shed and Cow Barn at the Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont, making significant contributions to the design and implementation of the project. Danny and his colleagues worked carefully on this important project while still maintaining the buildings and grounds at Belmont to the highest standard. His colleagues admire his consistent attention to detail, strong work ethic, and ability to collaborate with the team. The staff at Belmont and across the UMW community are grateful for Danny’s excellent work.

A superb tribute video to all the winners, created by Shanita Mitchell, can be viewed on YouTube.

Please join the USC in congratulating these outstanding award recipients!

Kayla Hill Named Excellent Eagle for April 2022

Congratulations to Kayla Hill for being recognized as USC’s Excellent Eagle for the month of April!

Maxxx Dennis nominated Kayla for this recognition in acknowledgement of her hard work helping so much of our campus community through the recent Kronos outage. We sincerely appreciate Kayla’s knowledge and assistance. Please join us in congratulating Kayla on this well-deserved recognition!

Do you have a co-worker you’d like to nominate for this award? It’s easy! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website. Recipients receive a month-long reserved parking space in the lot of their choosing.

Leslie Petrey Named Excellent Eagle for March 2022

Congratulations to Leslie Petrey! Leslie is USC’s Excellent Eagle for the month of March.

Maxxx Dennis nominated Leslie for this recognition, noting her amazing hard work during the Kronos outage. So many folks across campus are hugely appreciative of Leslie’s knowledge, dedication, and assistance. Please join us in congratulating Leslie on this well-deserved recognition.

Do you have a co-worker you’d like to nominate for this award? It’s easy! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website. Recipients receive a month-long reserved parking space in the lot of their choosing.

Michelle Pickham named February’s Excellent Eagle

Congratulations to Michelle Pickham! Michelle is USC’s Excellent Eagle for the month of February.

Dee Chasten nominated Michelle for the award, commenting that she is “amazing, professional, efficient, and a super mom!” Dee also noted how “Michelle always shows up to help her UMW community, no matter what, and never breaks a sweat! Thank you so much, Michelle, for all that you do.”

Please join us in congratulating Michelle on this well-deserved recognition.

Do you have a co-worker you’d like to nominate for this award? It’s easy! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website. Recipients receive a month-long reserved parking space in the lot of their choosing.

Andrea Meckley named January’s Excellent Eagle Employee!

Congratulations to Andrea Meckley! Andrea is USC’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of January. Below is what James Pape, UMW Libraries’ access services and outreach librarian, had to say about Andrea:

“Andrea was instrumental in providing online resources to Faculty and Students during the Spring and Summer semesters of 2020. She was the direct contact for any issues dealing with accessibility of library resources in Canvas, and due to her dedication and continual physical presence on the UMW campus, users were able to access the resources they desperately needed through emailed scans, Canvas course pages, or physical copies of materials. To accomplish this is enough to warrant being given the Excellent Eagle; however, she has also transitioned to a new position within the library during July 2020 due to retirements, and has been able to skillfully navigate how to lend and borrow needed materials to and from other institutions from around the world during the pandemic. It takes a special person and co-worker to being able to not only take on new and more difficult role during a pandemic, but to do it with the professionalism and eagerness to improve is something special!”

Nominate your co-workers for the Excellent Eagle Employee award! It’s easy! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website.

Justina Jones named November’s Excellent Eagle Employee!

Congratulations to Justina Jones! Justina is USC’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of November. Below is what Shelby Orlando had to say about Justina, UMW’s student employment coordinator:

“Justina has been a tremendous asset to the University. It has been a true pleasure working with her on all of our student hiring needs over the past couple of years. She is prompt in her replies, always kind, helpful, and accurate. In my seven years of hiring students at the University, she has been the absolute best to work with, and I truly appreciate her dedication and her willingness to assist student hiring managers. I know her role is monumental, but she doesn’t make it seem overwhelming. Thank you, Justina, for all you do!”

Nominate your co-workers for the Excellent Eagle Employee award! It’s easy! Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website.

Kenny Horning named October Excellent Eagle Employee

Klein Theatre Shop Foreman Kenny Horning. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Klein Theatre Shop Foreman Kenny Horning. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Congratulations to Kenny Horning! Kenny is USC’s Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of October. Below is what Gregg Stull had to say about Kenny:

“Kenny is focused on creating an environment in which students are challenged and succeed while also meeting the many deadlines associated with producing theatre at UMW. He is always willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure that we fulfill our mission to our campus and regional communities and can be found in Klein Theatre long after the day has ended and on weekends leading to production openings. Kenny takes on projects beyond the scope of his day-to-day responsibilities because he recognizes that they will help us to reach the excellence we seek. He is always, always eager to help whoever needs him.”

Nominate your co-workers for the Excellent Eagle Employee award! It’s easy!  Just complete the Excellent Eagle Employee Nomination Form on our website.