The staff members were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the university at a May 28 awards program during the annual staff day celebration.
Seven Elon university employees were honored on May 28 for their contributions to the university in the annual staff awards program that this year was held outdoors in Rhodes Stadium. Hundreds of staff members turned out for a celebration that included food, music, games and prizes.
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 2021 award was presented to Joseph Rich, solutions architect.
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 2021 award was presented to Mary Heggie, business intelligence developer.
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 Tim Dengler, director of building trades.
The Blanche Garrison Memorial Award, which was created in 2020, honors the contributions of hourly staff to mentoring, supporting, training, advising, supervising, coaching and befriending Elon students. It was established in memory of the late Blanche Garrison, an Elon Medallion awardee, who served the university with distinction as a housekeeper at Maynard House and was a friend to many staff, faculty and students across campus. The award was presented to Marilyn Slade, program assistant in The Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education.
Dallas Smith, event support specialist, was named Professional Hourly Staff Member of the Year; and Barbara Turner, custodian, was named Physical Plant Staff Member of the Year.
Two administrators were named Administrative Staff Members of the year: Gabie Smith, dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, and Kyle Wills, senior associate athletics director for business and operations.
Three staff members were also recognized on stage for their retirements from the university — Greg Marshall, first-shift manager, Environmental Services; Vivian Ratliff, program assistant for corporate and employer relations in the Student Professional Development Center, and Gloria Wilder, human resources assistant.
Other staff retiring this year include.
- Terry Buckley, assistant to the dean of the Carole Grotnes Belk Library
- Robert Calvin Day, floor maintenance worker
- Jan Fuller, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement
- Claudie Mitchell, network/telecommunications technician
- Mary Morrison, assistant dean of campus life and director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life
- Richard Russell, automotive service writer/parts technician
- Barbara Walsh, senior project manager for the provost and academic affairs
- David Worden, director of environmental services
- Sue Walker, custodian
More information about this year’s staff retirees is available here.
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Joseph Rich
Solutions Architect
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Tim Dengler
Assistant Director of Planning, Design and Construction Management
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Marilyn Slade
Administrative Assistant for Student Life
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Dallas Smith
Event Support Specialist
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Barbara Turner
Custodian
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Gabie Smith
Dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Psychology