RU family celebrates at annual staff picnic

While a warm breeze wafted aloft and the New River flowed gently by, more than 500 RU staff gathered with their faculty and AP guests for the 2013 Radford University Staff Senate Picnic on Wednesday.

President Penelope W. Kyle welcomed the RU family and thanked them for their contributions to the university’s recent successful academic year.

President Kyle presented the Bea Covington Award to LuAnn Gilbert, a customer service specialist in the RU Express and Parking Services office, as a staff member "who consistently demonstrates a positive attitude, is fun to be around and treats others with dignity, respect and kindness."

James Perkins accepted the award in Gilbert's absence and called her "the most professional customer service person I have met and a natural at making people feel better."

"I will always remember Bea's love and support for her husband, for RU and her internal strength," said Kyle. "Today we honor someone who lives up to that high ideal."

Sam Shumate, President Kyle, and James Perkins (l)

Staff Senate President Detective Sam Shumate and President Penelope W. Kyle present the Bea Covington award to James Perkins, who accepted on behalf of awardee LuAnn Gilbert of RU Parking Services.

Citing the opening of the new COBE building and the other projects underway, Kyle reflected on the many changes occurring on the RU campus and the contributions made by the RU family.

"You are involved in everything. We couldn’t do any of these things without you, the backbone of this university," she said.

The picnic included bingo and cornhole contests, a softball game as well as a country picnic menu of smoked spice chicken and pork barbecue, prepared by Chartwell's.

"It is a pleasure to welcome our guests on a beautiful day like this to celebrate the RU family working together to get things done," said RU Police Department Detective Sergeant Sam Shumate, president of the Staff Senate.

Learn more about Radford University at www.radford.edu.

May 15, 2013
Don Bowman
(540) 831-7523
dbowman@radford.edu