Annual Employee Service Luncheon celebrates Radford University faculty and staff
Radford University recognized more than 200 employees, representing more than 2,000 years of combined service to the University on April 11, 2019 at the annual Employee Service Awards Luncheon in Muse Hall.
To frame the honorees’ contributions, Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. recounted important recent University accomplishments, such as the approval and implementation of the new Doctor of Education and Bachelor of Science in Computer and Cyber Science programs, the impending merger of Jefferson College of Health Sciences into Radford University and recent fundraising successes.
“These positive advancements are a result of the work you do every day that means so much,” said President Hemphill. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do and will continue to do.”
President Hemphill shared feedback from his conversations with Radford graduates as part of his 2019 Alumni Tour.
“They all speak about the faculty and staff who believed in them and gave them purpose,” President Hemphill said. “It all comes back to what each of you are doing on this campus every day and your passion to put students first.”
Two Presidential Service Awards were presented during the hour-long ceremony that was emceed by Interim Assistant Vice President for Human Resources John Sanders. Niki Shepherd, office manager for the Office of the President, and Matthew Thomas ’15, web developer for the Division of Information Technology (DoIT), were honored with certificates and $1,000 awards from the Radford University Foundation.
Shepherd has been with Radford for more than 20 years, and Thomas has been a part of the DoIT team for seven years, first as a student-worker and now as an employee.
“These two award winners exemplify who we are as a Radford family,” said President Hemphill.
More than 40 recent retirees were recognized at the luncheon. Employees, who surpassed career milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years, were presented certificates and earned RU Express monetary credit.
Douglas Brinckman, professor in the Department of Accounting, Finance and Business Law; Carl Lefko, chair and professor in the Department of Theatre aand Cinema; and Robert Mills, motor vehicle operator for the Facilities Management Landscaping Department, were honored for their 40 years of service to Radford University.
The Employee Service Awards are presented annually by the Department of Human Resources, and the Presidential Service Awards Committee solicits nominees for the annual Presidential Service Awards.