The WKU Staff Senate recognized and rewarded staff members at its November meeting and the following Fall Meet & Greet.
The meet and greet honored staff members who hit milestone years of employment at WKU this fall. Senators were also provided an opportunity to mingle with the colleagues they represent.
Senators began the meeting in the SGA Chambers at 10 a.m. before traveling downstairs to attend the meet and greet event at 10:30 a.m. in DSU Nite Class.
The senate started the semesterly meet and greet in the fall of 2024, marking this year’s event as the third ever.
Staff Senate Vice Chair and Associate Registrar Jordan Ray announced the staff members in attendance who reached five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 45 years of employment.
After each name was read, friends and colleagues cheered and clapped.
“When we invite the employees, we also let the supervisor of the employee know,” Staff Senate Chair and Office of the Registrar Coordinator Leslie Vanderpool said.
She said she hoped supervisors would show up to “to celebrate the opportunity.”
Vanderpool posed for pictures with staff after gifting them a red towel and a certificate. A screen cycled through the names of the staff in the background.
Ray began and ended the list of employees with the two longest workers in attendance. He first announced Sherry West, the WKU Student Publications Operations Coordinator, who has 30 years of employment under her belt.
“Last but certainly not least,” Ray said, was Ellen Micheletti. Micheletti hit her 45th year with WKU Libraries in September.
“I’m also an alum, so,” she said, inciting laughter from the gathered employees.
After the certificates were distributed, Vanderpool called out numbers for door prizes. Senators gifted five black and red backpacks with red water bottles to five senators.
Vanderpool said she hoped the event could connect senators with the staff, who may not know what the senate does.
“If they have concerns or issues and they want to talk to their staff senator, this is a great way to just see who they are,” Vanderpool said.
Technology Committee Chair and Military Student Services Director Kent Johnson presented three Christopher Ware Staff Star Awards for the majority of the senate meeting. The awards, named in memoriam for its first recipient, are presented to three staff members monthly, who are nominated and selected “for their unique and positive contributions to WKU,” according to the award’s website.
Andria Henry, Staff Senate treasurer and office coordinator for Accounting, Analytics & Information Systems, and Management Departments, received her Star award first.
“Andria approaches each day with an infectious positivity that elevates everyone around her,” Johnson read from her nomination remarks. “In an era when higher education faces numerous challenges, staff members like Andria Henry represent one of our greatest institutional assets.”
Faculty Regent Shane Spiller gave his own remarks about Henry, complimenting her ability to manage three departments, 30 faculty and countless students.
Spiller shared a story from May, when the Gordon Ford College of Business moved out of Grise Hall with no air conditioning.
“The faculty fled very quickly,” Spiller said. “I walk back out through the lobby and there’s Andria sitting on the floor with 50 years of Gordon Ford College of Business stuff.”
Johnson awarded Mary Nunn, application program analyst in Information & Technology Services, next. Nunn was nominated by Purchasing Manager of the Service and Supply Building Marci Morehead, who was absent. Johnson read her nomination remarks.
“She has worked during her vacation and outside of regular hours to ensure everything stays on track and runs smooth,” Morehead’s remarks stated. “Her commitment doesn’t just end when the work day ends, she gives her best no matter the time or the circumstance.”
“She has more knowledge in her head about the Banner Finance System and the way our accounting works at the university than anyone else that I know,” Brandi Fowler, Nunn’s supervisor, said. “We would be truly lost with all her expertise in those areas.”
Sherri Anderson, accounting coordinator for WKU Housing & Residence Life, received her award last. Kirsten Hooks, HRL’s assistant director for first year programs, nominated Anderson.
“What really stands out about Sherri is just her willingness to help wherever needed,” said Jennifer Novak, director of Budget and Financial. “She’s made meaningful connections across our department, with our staff. Her positivity and care for both our staff and then our students really makes a difference, and we’re very truly lucky to have her.
“From day one, she has gone out of the way to help build meaningful connections with our entire team of over 30 members, consistently checking in and offering her support,” Johnson said as he read Hooks’ remarks. “Her door is always open.”
The treasurer, Henry, and chair gave their reports after the Star awards. Herb Hess, a senator with Facilities Management, gave Vanderpool’s report while she was downstairs setting up the meet and greet.
Henry repeated the balances of the E&G Index, the Staff Senate Excellence Fund and the Book Scholarship, all of which have not grown or shrunk since October’s report.
Hess discussed successful budgeting, finances, and the College of Health and Human Services and the Gordon Ford College of Business’s new and combined programming.
There was no old business, new business or public comment, so the meeting was quickly adjourned at 10:24 a.m
Staff may nominate each other for a Star award through the senate’s website.
“We’re trying to just recognize staff for what they do every day,” Vanderpool said. “This is just our little part of making their day a little bit better.”
