Six Elon staff members were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the university at a May 31 awards program during the annual staff appreciation celebration in Schar Center.
Six Elon university employees were honored on May 31 for their contributions to the university in the annual awards program in Schar Center attended by hundreds of staff members. The half-day event included entertainment by the renowned Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team, which was a semifinalist on America's Got Talent and has performed around the world.
The Phoenix Innovation Award is presented to a member of the Elon staff who has displayed innovation by creating, designing, improving or implementing a new idea or program that benefits the university or our community. The 2019 award was presented to Libby Coyner, archivist and assistant librarian.
The Phoenix Rising Award is presented to one newer member of the Elon staff who has consistently displayed excellence in pursuit of the Elon Commitment with an engaged mind, inspired leadership and global citizenship. The 2019 award was presented to Tracy McBane, program assistant for the departments of Mathematics and Statistics, and Computing Sciences.
The Phoenix Community Engagement Award is presented to a member of the Elon staff who has demonstrated exemplary service to the university, local or global community through engagement in volunteer organizations. The award was presented to Jessica Blocker, coordinator of the prospect database in the Admissions Office.
Friday's event also offered an opportunity to celebrate the careers of staff members who are retiring this year, including Karen Chisnall, information analyst and student support specialist in the Office of Career and Student Development at Elon Law; Dianne Ford, coordinator of library electronic resources and associate librarian; Mark Kellis, plumber and mechanic; Cheryl Loy, registration and graduation coordinator in the Registrar's Office; Ron Morgan, senior buyer for Physical Plant; Rudolph Singleton, custodian; and Mike Thompson, technology construction manager.
Book proclaimed Friday, July 5, as "Gerald Whittington Day" and announced it would be an additional paid holiday for all university employees in honor of Whittington and his remarkable contributions during his nearly three decades of service.
Staff Appreciation Day is also an opportunity for Elon staff to support the local community. Staff members donated a record 5,113 pounds of food for the food pantry at Allied Churches of Alamance County, which works to address homelessness and hunger.