Who wouldn’t want to hug a trophy, pose for a commemorative photo, and put a golden emu on proud display in their office? Not that staff at Eastern Mennonite University, with an already outstanding work ethic, need any extra incentive to do their best…
But you know. Golden glittery emu. Enough said.
The first Royal Awards for Staff Performance, presented during fall semester 2020. The awardees are selected from nominations of staff or administrators who have shown exceptional performance, and/or gone above and beyond the regular focus of their work to improve EMU.
The inaugural awardees for August/September were Shannon Dycus, dean of students, and Lauren Jefferson, director of communications.
Nominators offered these words of appreciation about these employees:
Shannon is innovative, imaginative, caring, and a force to reckon with. She has, among many other things, found ways to maintain safety and community, and encourage our students to commit to health and safety during a time of crisis and a national pandemic.
Lauren has been working intensely since the start of the pandemic, often putting in overtime, to make sure our messaging to the community about plans and changes is quick, accurate, informative, and helpful… AND she still helps keep up humor and morale in our department.
Awardees for November/December were Nancy Heisey, associate dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, and Jon Swartz, director of residence life, student accountability, and restorative justice.
Nominators offered these words of appreciation:
Nancy ushered us through a promising accreditation visit by the Association of Theological Schools in mid-October. ATS’s initial feedback was positive, which is no small cause for celebration during this tenuous time in theological education. I cannot exaggerate the ways Nancy went above and beyond her administrative responsibilities to complete this accreditation process. She has completed a marathon and has done so with competence and contagious enthusiasm.
Jon works tirelessly to improve the EMU experience for our residential students. Despite his extensive workload, he always engages each person who approaches him with empathy and good humor.
Congratulations to the winners. And also to those on the Royal Award committee for their work in appreciation of staff: Stephen Farrar, Lori Gant, Sarah Gant, Ericka Gingerich, Bill Goldberg, Marcia Myers, Jon Styer.
EMU faculty are eligible for the annual Excellence in Teaching Award. Read about 2020 honorees here.
Well deserved colleagues! You all do fantastic work and with a great attitude through this pandemic. Grateful for my colleagues!
Congratulations to the winners! Also, a big THANK YOU to the Royal Award Committee for the creative work and keen eye for a new way to show appreciation to EMU staff!