MC staff members’ service recognized at annual luncheon
Aug. 1, 2019
Approximately 150 staff members, faculty and administrators of Maryville College gathered in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ William Baxter Lee III Grand Foyer to welcome new employees, recognize outstanding service and congratulate staff members for milestone years of service during the College’s 26th annual Staff Recognition Luncheon on Aug. 1.
The luncheon is held every August to honor staff for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service. A total of 39 staff members were recognized for milestone years.
The luncheon started with a prayer of invocation led by Campus Minister Rev. Anne McKee.
In welcoming the crowd to the luncheon, Maryville College President Dr. William T. “Tom” Bogart, who announced last week that the 2019-20 academic year would be his last at MC, took a moment during his welcome address to reflect on some of his favorite memories during his time at the College. He also praised staff members’ commitment to the College.
“Celebrate that we have new people joining us, be grateful for the service of those who have passed important anniversaries, and honor those who have been identified by their peers (you) as worthy of recognition with awards,” he said. “None of us were here when Maryville College was started. None of us will be here when Maryville College celebrates its 300th anniversary. But all of us can proudly claim that we helped to ‘do good on the largest possible scale’ here ‘where Chilhowee’s lofty mountains pierce the Southern blue.’ Thank you for all you do, and thank you for the chance to be part of the team.”
Employees recognized for milestone anniversaries
Five-year pins went to: John Berry, director of information technology; Suzy Booker, vice president for institutional advancement; Tekila Bradley, housekeeping coordinator; Jimmy Branton, preventive maintenance technician; Becky Chapman, office and music coordinator; Melanie Croft, financial aid counselor; Brenda Eingle, administrative assistant, Natural Sciences and Math & Computer Sciences; Meghan Fagg-Smith, director of annual giving; Lynn Franklin, CIE instructor; Nicole Fritts, assistant database administrator; Paul Humphries, assistant football coach; Adam Latham, steam plant operator III; Christy McDonald Slavick, director of the Career Center; Thomas Shuler, groundskeeper; Chase Tipton, equine technician; Blanca Turrubiartes, housekeeper; and Deborah Wilde, switchboard operator and inventory data management.
Ten-year certificates and gift cards went to: Arielle Kilday, associate director for admissions data, systems and recruitment; and Russ Porter, web manager.
Fifteen-year plaques were presented to: Diana Canacaris, director of major gifts; Denise Cantrell, data administrator; Keni Lanagan, director of human resources; Tobby Ryan, network technician; and Sue Waters, Maryville Fund assistant.
The following staff members were recognized for 20 years of service at the College: Dan Klingensmith, interim vice president and dean of the College; Linda Millsaps, housekeeper; and Vicki McNutt, mail services manager.
Pepe Fernandez, head men’s and women’s soccer coach, was recognized for 30 years of service to the College.
Members of the College’s 25+ Year Club were recognized. They included: Larry Ervin, director of multicultural affairs; Eric Etchison, assistant athletic director for communications; Vivian Hill, office manager, residence life; and Belinda Kenny, director of corporate sales and events.
Members of the College’s 30+ Year Club were also recognized. They included: Bruce Guillaume, director of Mountain Challenge; Randy Lambert, athletics campaign coordinator; Kay Pritchett, student accounts manager and cashier; and Kandis Schram, athletic director and head volleyball coach.
Three recognized for outstanding service
Bogart recognized three staff members who had been selected for outstanding service during the 2018-19 academic year. There were 74 nominations total, and Bogart recognized the nominees for each award.
Yosef Addis, security officer, 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.
Christy McDonald Slavick, director of the Career Center, 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.
Reggie Dailey, director of the physical plant, 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. 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.
Nicole Fritts, Staff Council Chair for 2019-20, recognized those employees starting, completing and serving terms on Staff Council.
Bringing the luncheon to a close, President Bogart thanked staff members for their hard work to get the 2019-20 academic year off to a strong start.