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Ƶ honored its own on Thursday, May 2 during its 68th Annual Staff and Faculty Recognition and Awards Program. The yearly event pays tribute to exceptional service and commitment to the university during the academic year by staff and faculty. The awards program is co-hosted by the Office of Human Ƶ, the Office of the President, the Staff Senate and the Faculty Senate.
This year’s recipient of the university’s overall Staff Employee of the Year Award was Felecia Moss-Grant, who serves as associate director of the Office of Grantsmanship and Compliance. Honorees of category-specific awards — all of which were nominated by their peers — were:
Dr. Rhonda Collier, an associate professor in the Department of Modern Languages, Communication and Philosophy, and director of the Ƶ Global Office, received the Barbara A. Howard Legacy of Service Award. This award, presented annually, recognizes a faculty or staff member committed to student success. Howard, before she died in 2015, served in numerous professional capacities supporting students' pursuit of an education during her university tenure.
Interim Provost Roberta Troy presented awards in a number of faculty categories. These included Faculty Achievement Awards bestowed on Dr. Fan Wu of the Brimmer College of Business and Information Science, and Dr. Shaik Zainuddin of the College of Engineering. Dr. Jontyle Robinson, curator of the Legacy Museum, received the Library Services Award.
The leadership of each college and school identifies the recipients of its Faculty Performance Awards in the areas of teaching, research and service. Honorees included:
College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences
Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science
College of Arts and Sciences
Andrew F. Brimmer College of Business and Information Science
School of Education
College of Engineering
School of Nursing and Allied Health
College of Veterinary Medicine
During the event, other employees reaching special milestones were honored as well, including those who have completed 25 years of university service, and those who have or will soon retire, during the academic year.
25-year Service Awards
Michelle D. Huffman, Ƶ Police Department; David Lunn, Department of Athletics; Dr. Benjamin O. Oni, College of Engineering; Miles D. Robinson; College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences; Melinda Barnes Sheppard, Office of the Registrar; Dr. David Nii Osro Tackie, College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences; Dr. Cassandra F. Thomas, Brimmer College of Business and Information Science; and Dr. Barry E. Williams, Library Technical Services
Retirement Awards
Walter J. Baldwin, College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences/Cooperative Extension; Freddie S. Boston, College of Veterinary Medicine; Portia W. Champion, Housing and Residence Life; Barbara Tucker-Chisholm, Office of the Bursar; James E. Cooper, Campus Technology; Richard E. Glaze Sr., School of Education; Dr. Sammy L. Gorham, College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Tsegaye Habtemariam, College of Veterinary Medicine; William C. Lennard, College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences; Dr. Virda K. Lester, School of Education; Olive E. Lett, College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. James B. McSwain, College of Arts and Sciences; Miriam M. Montgomery, College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences; Dr. Charlotte P. Morris, University Administration; Belinda B. Patrick, Housing and Residence Life; Dr. June Samuel, Student Health Services; Dr. Tejinder S. Sara, Office of the Provost; Vanese W. Singleton, College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences; Rosemary Frazier Taylor, Housing and Residence Life; and Yvonne Taylor, Office of the Registrar.
The event also incorporated new elements highlighting the university’s growing research enterprise, including a pre-ceremony poster session, which allowed faculty and staff to share their research endeavors and achievements with their colleagues. At the ceremony’s conclusion, Dr. Shaik Jeelani, in his capacity as vice president for research, recognized many of the university’s faculty whose patented research are the subject of the recently unveiled “Wall of Inventors” in the Kellogg Conference Center.
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