MC staff members’ service recognized during annual event
Sept. 14, 2021
Maryville College’s 28th annual Staff Recognition Awards ceremony was held Sept. 14 to provide an opportunity for MC staff, faculty and administrators to welcome new employees, recognize outstanding service and congratulate staff members for milestone years of service.
The event was held in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre. Members of the campus community also had the opportunity to participate virtually, via a live stream.
The event is held every year to honor staff for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service. A total of 40 staff members were recognized for milestone years.
Campus Minister Rev. Dr. Anne McKee started the event with a prayer of invocation, and Sarah Taylor Yeaple ’08, director of the Career Center and Staff Council Chair for 2021-22, recognized those employees starting, completing and serving terms on Staff Council.
In his remarks, Maryville College President Dr. Bryan Coker noted that the Sept. 14 honored 32 employees representing 415 years of service. He also expressed his gratitude for the College’s dedicated staff members and their hard work.
“You all are the people who truly open and close the doors to campus each and every single day,” Coker said. “You enable us to provide an outstanding education in the liberal arts. You support and you care for our students. We simply couldn’t do what we do without all of you. Your efforts matter.”
Employees recognized for milestone anniversaries
The following employees were recognized for five years of service: Nancy Clendenin, executive assistant for the Offices of the President and Institutional Advancement; Tim Cook, maintenance mechanic; Jeri Crowder, administrative assistant; Suzette Donovan, assistant to the president and Board of Directors liaison; Adam Effler, groundskeeper; Alan Hale, grounds superintendent; Chelsea Houk, groom, Equestrian Farm; Erin Johnson, director of financial aid; Kelly Leonard, controller; David Martin, assistant football coach, recruiting coordinator and tight end coach; Kim Ochsenbein, director of Academic Support Center; Natalie Smith, advancement services specialist; Sarah Taylor Yeaple ’08, director of the Career Center; and Justin Zimmerman, assistant football coach and wide receivers coach.
The following staff members were recognized for 10 years of service: Melissa Sands, housekeeper, and Lydia Harmon ’04, part-time American Sign Language interpreter.
The following staff members were recognized for 15 years of service: Eric Bellah, director of development; Ralph Goodson, custodial services worker; Kristin Gourley, assistant dean of students; Lee Handley, electrician; and Paula Orr, administrative assistant for the Division of Social Sciences.
The following staff members were recognized for 20 years of service: Bruce Buchanan, painter; Carol Clark, alumni services specialist; Anne McKee, campus minister; Jake Reagan ’07, director of event services; and Cheryl Stiebeling, part-time acquisitions coordinator.
The following staff members were recognized for 25 years of service: Joe Everett, custodial services worker, and Marsha Wynn, advancement services and campaign manager.
The following staff members were recognized for 30 years of service: Larry Ervin ’97, director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and Vivian Hill, office manager for Residence Life.
Members of the College’s 25+ Year Club were recognized. They included: Belinda Kenny, director of corporate sales and events.
Members of the College’s 30+ Year Club also were recognized. They included: Pepe Fernandez, head men’s and women’s soccer coach; Bruce Guillaume ’76, director of Mountain Challenge; and Kandis Schram ’85, head volleyball coach.
Four recognized for outstanding service
Coker recognized four staff members who had been selected for outstanding service during the 2021-22 academic year. There were 42 nominations total, and Coker recognized the nominees for each award.
Carol Clark, alumni services specialist, was named winner of the Nancy B. Hunter Outstanding Staff Award. The award is named in honor of an employee who was noted for both her long tenure and her ability to keep the office running smoothly while her supervisor was traveling for the College. Nancy held the position of secretary to the president of the College for 28 years. Nancy’s influence and love of reading spilled to the community through her support of the Blount County Friends of the Library and the AAUW’s annual book fair.
Kristin Gourley, assistant dean of students, was presented the Martha Hess Outstanding Administrator Award. The award is named in honor of alumna and former registrar to the College for more than 30 years. Martha’s attention to detail in all aspects of her work and her dedication to the College is renowned. Her knowledge of the institution, its history and people, is now put to good use in her post-retirement position as College History Collection Coordinator.
Two employees were recognized with the Sharon Murphy Crane Distinguished Service Award: Suzette Donovan, assistant to the president and Board of Directors liaison, and Doniqua Flack ’15, director of campus life. The award is named in honor of an employee whose spirit of service and commitment to the general good of the College was unmatched. Sharon, an alumna of MC, held the position of director of student life for eight years, but her service reached far beyond her title to include theatre productions, creation of the 100 Days Celebration for seniors and the naming of Isaac’s Café.
