Greek Week hosted the Faculty Appreciation Dinner in Downing Student Union Monday to thank the faculty and staff who played a vital role in the lives of students within the Greek community. 

The event started and Hadley Whipple, Greek Chair for the event, thanked attendees for coming before pointing to Director of Student Activities Charlie Pride to say grace. Dinner proceeded and gave attendees a moment to converse with one another, laugh and indulge in a variety of food options provided by Aramark. 

Whipple spoke up after the attendees finished their plates and the speeches began.

“We would not be here without any of you,” Whipple said. “ You have helped shape us into the people we have become and will continue to grow into.”

Each faculty and staff member nominated by a Greek organization received a WKU mug with illustrations representing the university on it and a faculty and staff recognition certificate.

Phi Delta Theta, represented by fraternity member Charlie Preston, nominated Director of Student Activities Charlie Pride for his impact on the WKU and Bowling Green community. Preston said he achieved this by being there for any student or faculty on campus and through “opening doors” for people at WKU.

Charlie graduated as a Phi Delta Theta in 1987, and Preston said he goes “above and beyond for the chapter.

“We are proud to call him a brother,” Preston said.

Alpha Delta Pi, represented by sorority member Mae Hutchins, nominated Senior Analyst Mindy Hutchins for her character and value to the community. Mae Hutchins, daughter of Mindy Hutchins, started to tear up as she spoke on her mother’s character and impact on the WKU community. She said it is her greatest joy when someone mentions how she looks like her mom.

“It makes me smile from the inside out knowing people dare to see me and compare me to someone as great as her,” Mae Hutchins said.

Mae Hutchins also spoke on how her mom “loves deeply” and “cares wholeheartedly.” She said whenever she walks with her mother on campus, she can’t walk without someone recognizing her mother and “all she does” for WKU.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by Greek life and Alpha Delta Pi as their representative,” Mindy Hutchins said. “Greek life does so much for students.”

Other faculty and staff who received an award include:

• School of Teacher Education Staff Member Brooke Royalty nominated by Alpha Gamma Delta
• Assistant Professor Luiz Silva nominated by Alpha Gamma Rho
• Health Careers and Education Specialist Emily Anne Pride Sutton nominated by Alpha Omicron Pi
• Associate Professor Katherine Lennard nominated by Alpha Xi Delta
• Professor Jay Gabbard nominated by Alpha Tau Omega
• Professor Joanna Phillips Melancon nominated by Chi Omega
• Student Publications Director Chuck Clark nominated by Delta Tau Delta
• Adjunct Instructor Warren Beeler nominated by Delta Zeta
• Professor Todd Willian nominated by FarmHouse
• Student Wellness Navigator Julie Jones nominated by Kappa Delta
• Senior Specialist for Academic Advising Ashley Smith nominated by Omega Phi Alpha
• Prospect Strategy Analyst Grant Johnson nominated by Phi Gamma Delta
• Executive-In-Residence Kristin Bennett nominated by Phi Mu
• Instructor Jessica Hussung nominated by Sigma Chi
• Instructor Charlotte Elder nominated by Sigma Kappa
• Professor Teresa Kirby nominated by Sima Nu
• Instructor David Serafini nominated by Sigma Phi Epsilon