SAU recognizes contributions of support staff

Southern Arkansas University recently honored nonteaching professional and support staff for excellence and years of service during the annual staff breakfast.

Victor Duke and Angela McLaughlin received the Mary Anna King Whitehead Support Staff Excellence Award. Duke is the director of the Reynolds Center, and McLaughlin is an administrative specialist in the College of Liberal and Performing Arts.

The Mary Anna King Whitehead Awards are the highest honors given to SAU staff each year and recognize those who have achieved an outstanding level of professionalism and performance.

Kandice Herron received the Alvin and Irene Brannon Staff Diversity Excellence Award. Herron is assistant dean of campus activities. This award was established by the SAU Diversity Initiative Task Force and recognizes a staff member each year who has contributed to promoting, sup- porting and improving diversity and inclusion as a core component of valuing people at SAU.

Those receiving Staff Service awards for 10 years of service include Phyllis Austin, James Avery, Boyd Good, Emily Jester, Matthew McDonald, Mary Whatley, Marianne Woodard and Jake Dunham. Joseph Haney was recognized for 20 years of service. Kelly Merrell and Nancy Stone were recognized for 30 years of service.

Gary Hickson, Megan McCurdy, Carey Baker and Brooke Williams received the Spirit of SAU Award. This award revives the tradition of honoring staff that exhibit exemplary Mulerider Spirit, such as those presented in Dr. James Willis’ writings of SAU’s history. Visit web.saumag.edu/archives/archives/history/notable- facultystaff-of-the-past to find out more.

Annual faculty awards will be presented during the faculty awards dinner on April 13.