Georgia Southern staff honored with Awards of Excellence

January 11, 2016

  [caption id="attachment_5177" align="aligncenter" width="608"] 2016 Merit Award Winners (L to R): Addie Edwards, Michelle Smith, Lori Mayes, Marcella Stewart, James Grigg, Ashley Lowery, Janet Walker and Logan Franks.[/caption] Georgia Southern University honored more than 175 staff members celebrating years of service, and eight Award of Merit winners at the 2016 Staff Awards of Excellence Ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 7, at the Performing Arts Center. “Georgia Southern is a family, and family starts with people,” said Georgia Southern Interim President Jean E. Bartels, Ph.D., RN. “From my perspective, that’s the staff. On behalf of the administration, the faculty and the students, I want to thank you for keeping us going. “We call this the greatest University in America. It truly is, and that’s because of the people we have here.” The ceremony honored eight staff members earning the Award of Merit:

• Michelle Smith, Information Technology Services
• Addie Edwards, Procurement and Contract Services
• Ashley Lowery, Zach S. Henderson Library
• James Grigg, Facilities Services
• Lori Mayes, Information Technology Services
• Logan Franks, Admissions
• Marcella Stewart, Psychology Department
• Janet Walker, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Advisement Center

Award of Merit nominees are employees who have improved the work environment, exhibited excellent customer service and shown true character and dedication to Georgia Southern’s mission. A total of 48 employees were nominated for the award, which is sponsored by Georgia Southern’s Staff Council. Award of Merit recipients are nominated by co-workers or supervisors and are chosen by The Staff Council. Each winners received $1,000, a Georgia Southern Eagle Medallion or plaque and a certificate of appreciation. Additionally, the ceremony also honors staff members who have reached five-year landmarks of continuous, full-time service at the University. Years of Service Award recipients each receive a certificate of appreciation and a gift from The University Store. This year, seven staff members were recognized for 30 years of continuous service at the University:Virginia Thomas, Deborah Champion, Barbara Smith, Barry Hackle, Leroy Moore, Pam Deal and Michael Todd. Susan Nelson and Sherry Smith were honored for 35 years of service at Georgia Southern. Other Years of Service Award honorees included: 25 Years of Service Jana Briley, Robert Randolph, Kathryn Gay, Angie Threatte, Pamela Harley, Linda Rushing, Cheryl Donaldson and William Stewart 20 Years of Service Belinda Wilson, Tina Brookins, Patricia Byrd, Janet Burns, Suzanne Venerable, Gloria Lovette, Gaynell Royal, Sheryl Lewis, Cindy Durden, Theresa Novotny, Gene Sherry, Konrad Godfrey and Ray Hoffman 15 Years of Service Teresa Thompson, Marcella Stewart, Janet Walker, Tinnie Lee, Perla Middleton, Deborah Johnson, Jodi Caldwell and Jill Forehand 10 Years of Service Shecara Lovett, Christina Waugh, Kelly Pye, Rex Miller, Belinda Classens, Jody Rushing, Nikki Collins, Darlene Collins, Ronda Durden, Antonio Frison, Karen Hilde, Constance Morgan, Betty Raymond, Michael Head, Craig Brannen, Deltrye Jackson, James Chester, Michael Price, Lee Elbracht, Lorraine Jackson, Vera Mobley, Lakesha Hill, Paul Anderson, Sheila Wentz, Kjersten Barrick, Greer Rahn, Tammy Smith, Samantha Rossi, Lee Porter, Martha Allen, Laura McCullough, William Tatum, Chrystina Wallace, Sylvia Kline, William Sharpe, Deidra Newson, Brett Bacon, Dorsey Baldwin, Jennifer Karrh, Rachel Miller, Gloria Goosby, Elton Hunter and Ron Stalnaker 5 Years of Service Brenda Albanese, Scott Curley, Daniel McNair, Jenifer Stocking, Spencer Harp, Jessica McLaughlin, Caroline Glover, April Callaway, Deanna Piche, Pamela Davis, Melissa Gast-Goodman, Angelia Huggins, Janice Brown, Sara McNure, Danielle Smith, Theresa Duggar, Sarah Rene, Coco Roberts, Debra Bever, Russell Bozeman, James Morgan, Bud Fleming, Tony Mincey, Cindy Littles, Ramon Roberson, Dwayne Murdaugh, Jeffrey Joyner, Mary Knight, Christopher Peterson, Reamer Burke, Stephanie McCarthy, William McCurdy, Haley Rushing, Sharday Roberts, David Culpepper, Kimberly Packer, Weldon Raymond, Anthony Tremble, Edwin Aviles, Sara Jeffers, Edward Mills, Aaron Ussery, Mirian Eason, Robert Rountree, Sherri Newman, Lawanda Wilson, Maude Huff, Megan Douberly, Christy Yother, Patricia Hall, Gregory Avra, Thomas Thurson, Amy Wilkins-Smith, Joseph Williams, James McGee, Sharon Brown, Ricky Sapp, Patrick Robertson, Shambrielle Lovette, Terry Briley, Shannon Mitchell, Leslie Phillips, Robert Wery, Jason Pollett, Mark Perez-Lopez, Michael Brundage, Amanda Wheeler, John Classens, Gary Noble, Bonnie Wilson, Susan Bunning, Pamela Jones, Paul Reaves, Patrick Mascoll, Dennis Baker, Andrew Merrifield, John Tucker, Ashlea Anderson, Jeb Barger, Erin Shuman, Kristi Reagin, Charish Williams and Keely Hopkins Georgia Southern employs more than 1,700 staff members and the Staff Council is a collective voice for those who work in non-faculty employee roles. The Council supports a variety of activities and initiatives to improve the quality of life and effectiveness of the University’s dedicated and valuable staff, and hosts the Staff Awards of Excellence Ceremony each year.