Maryville College caps a successful academic year with 32nd annual Staff Day recognitions and honors
May 14, 2025
The 2025-26 academic year was 103 days away, but for the Maryville College staff and administrators who gathered on May 9 in the Alumni Gym for Staff Day 2025, that’s a much-needed break.
Not that the College shuts down for the summer; much preparation work remains to welcome a new coterie of Scots in August (the first day of classes for the 2025-26 academic year is Wednesday, Aug. 20), and May Term classes continue until the end of the month. A small number of students remain on campus over the summer break, and various camps and gatherings, from the Great Smokies Experience to Expanding Horizons, will be held on the school’s hallowed grounds, requiring support staff and faculty input. Add in KT Days, the annual alumni gathering in June, and the evidence is clear: It’ll be a busy summer on the Maryville College campus.
But there’s something cathartic about putting a bow on another academic year, which was also the 200th anniversary of the College’s first graduating class. The 32nd annual Staff Day was the year’s capstone, and in the Alumni Gym, the College’s Staff Council put on a beach-themed party as a backdrop to the recognition of accomplishments by behind-the-scenes employees who have gone above and beyond, as well as the acknowledgement of new employees and those who have reached milestone anniversaries as College employees.
“My two words for Staff Day 2025 at Maryville College — one, community; and two, gratitude,” said MC President Dr. Bryan Coker. “At the end of an eventful academic year, it’s important to come together and express our thankfulness for all the hard work and efforts that have led us to conclude another successful year on College Hill.”
As part of the day’s events, staff members were invited to bring canned goods for Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a Maryville-based nonprofit that supplies more than 21 million pounds of food annually to individuals facing hunger in 18 East Tennessee counties. The combined total of donations from MC employees for the day added up to 949 pounds of goods, which, along with monetary contributions, will allow the organization to prepare and distribute 851 meals.
As part of the day’s activities, Coker also previewed plans and positive momentum for the coming year, including a revamped approach to New Student Orientation, which will bring all Scots to campus on Aug. 11 for 10 days of team building, experiential learning and an introduction to the vagaries of campus life as newcomers living on campus. Strong admissions numbers, he added, point to an even bigger incoming first-year class than this past academic year, and fundraising and planning efforts continue for the recently announced Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Sciences (a recent change from its original moniker, the Alexander Institute for Environmental Education and the Sciences) that will be constructed on the part of campus facing the intersection of Washington Street and East Lamar Alexander Parkway.
Organized by members of the Maryville College Staff Council, the event was led by Council Chair Alex McCullough ’19, director of community standards and associate director of residence life in the Division of Student Affairs. Less than a week prior, the College honored roughly 230 graduates during Commencement exercises, and three days later held a smaller ceremony for baseball and softball players who were occupied with tournament play and could not attend alongside their peers. The annual gathering of College staff, Coker said, is a way of recognizing those employees who joined with members of the MC faculty to bring the academic year to a successful close.
“We simply could not fulfill our educational mission without all the efforts of our dedicated staff — they literally open and maintain our campus each day,” Coker said. “They feed, care for and support our students. It’s important to thank our staff often, but especially at the conclusion of another successful year for the College.”
Employee recognition
The following staff members were honored for five years of service to Maryville College: Debbie Phelps, assistant director of Disability Services; Rose Sampley ’19, technical director of the Clayton Center for the Arts; and Amy Zettle, executive assistant to Dr. Alayne Bowman, vice president for Admissions and Financial Aid.
The following staff members were recognized for 10 years of service: Jimmy Branton, preventive maintenance technician; Clint Helton ’11, head MC Baseball coach; Kelly Leonard, vice president for finance; Christy McDonald Slavick, interim executive director of the Clayton Center for the Arts; Saij Miller-Wildsmith, assistant to Dr. Liz Perry-Sizemore, vice president and dean of the College; Blanca Turrubiartes, housekeeper; and Lisa Vitale, registrar.
The following staff members were recognized for 15 years of service: Noah Bowman, director of Academic Support; Arielle von Boettinger Kilday ’05, senior director of admissions operations and dual enrollment; and Darrin Travillian, head MC Women’s Basketball coach.
Two staff members were honored with 20-year service awards, including Dr. Alayne Bowman and Marina Jaffe, collection management librarian in the Lamar Memorial Libary in Thaw Hall.
Three staff members marked 25 years of service to the College, including Yosef Addis ’98, security officer; Vicki McNutt, mail services manager; and Dr. Jerilyn Swann, associate academic dean, director of institutional research and professor of biology.
Rick Henderson, an HVAC specialist with Facilities Operations, was recognized for 30 years of service, and finally, Pepe Fernandez, head coach of the MC Men’s Soccer squad, was honored for 35 years of service to MC.
Award winners
Numerous employees were also nominated for three awards given for outstanding service during the 2024-25 academic year. After recognizing all the nominees, Coker presented awards to three of them:
Dana Hummel, office manager for MC Athletics, was named winner of the Nancy B. Hunter Outstanding Staff Award. The award is named in honor of a former secretary to the president of the College who, during her 28 years of service, was noted for her ability to keep the office running smoothly while her supervisor was traveling on College business.
“This individual consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the smooth and compliant operation of the Athletic Department,” Coker said. “Known for her competence in procurement and purchasing, she skillfully navigates challenges such as keeping coaches aligned with policies. Her dedication extends beyond her core duties as she actively contributes to the college community through her service on Staff Council.
“During a sudden leadership transition in Athletics, she played a crucial role in helping new leadership acclimate and work productively. Her commitment, expertise, and positive attitude make her an invaluable asset to Maryville College Athletics.”
Julie Beaton, payroll and benefits specialist in the Office of Human Resources, 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. Beaton, Coker told the crowd, has led the charge in the enhancement of the College onboarding processes, and did so — along with every other aspect of her job — with a chipper attitude and unfailing kindness.
“Her kindness, eagerness to help, and commitment to making HR processes smoother have greatly contributed to the positive reputation HR enjoys on campus,” Coker said. “She embodies the true spirit of HR by quietly supporting colleagues and streamlining operations to benefit both employees and the institution.”
Ben Howard, director of information technology, was recognized with the Sharon Murphy Crane Distinguished Service Award. The award is named in honor of an employee whose spirit of service and commitment to the general good of the College was unmatched.
Howard, Coker said, demonstrated exceptional leadership during the implementation of Jenzabar One, the College’s new student information system that was rolled out during the 2024-25 academic year and has made a significant impact on the digital experiences of students, faculty and staff.
“His expertise, problem-solving skills and dedication have been critical throughout the transition, where he balanced the demanding roles of director of IT and project manager with professionalism and a positive attitude,” Coker said. “He consistently puts the institution’s needs first, supports his colleagues with patience and calm reassurance, and seeks ways to make daily tasks easier for everyone. His commitment and collaborative spirit have been invaluable in making this complex project a success, earning him deep gratitude and recognition from the college community.”
