“It’s an honor to work in the ITS department and an honor to be recognized. My actions were but a small part in a sequence of many people’s actions, and so this award is really for everyone involved.”

Lance Schoychid, IT business continuity analyst in Appalachian’s Information Technology Services

BOONE, N.C. — The Staff Shout Out program at Appalachian State University announces Lance Schoychid, IT business continuity analyst in Appalachian’s Information Technology Services, as the winner of its September drawing.

Schoychid, who received two Shout Outs during September, is among nearly 800 Appalachian staff members who have been recognized for their Shout Out-worthy service to the university since January.

In one Shout Out, Schoychid was recognized for “going above and beyond” in his efforts to restore data services for Appalachian’s medical records.

“Lance, along with several other ITS members, made restoring a file for one of our users a priority,” said the anonymous submitter of Schoychid’s second Shout Out. “We were on deadlines and lost some data, and the ITS team quickly found the location of it in the database, retrieved it and made it available to us for restoration.”

Regarding his two Shout Outs, Schoychid said, “It’s an honor to work in the ITS department and an honor to be recognized. My actions were but a small part in a sequence of many people’s actions, so this award is really for everyone involved. A big thanks to the Staff Shout Out program for recognizing us!”

“Lance is such an awesome addition to our team,” said Choya Durham, shared resources manager for Appalachian’s ITS. “It’s great working with him.”

The Staff Shout Out program, an informal recognition initiative created by Staff Senate’s Staff Recognition Committee, aims to highlight Appalachian staff members for their positive contributions to the university. The committee works to improve employee engagement and encourage an environment of support and appreciation.

Examples of actions for which Appalachian staff members have received Shout Outs:

• Going above and beyond to help a fellow co-worker or student.
• Picking up trash on campus grounds just because.
• Encouraging recycling among officemates.
• Having an infectious positive attitude.
• Taking initiative.
• Helping a co-worker complete a task voluntarily.
• Random acts of kindness.

Recipients of a Shout Out are notified the month following their nomination and receive a card detailing why they were nominated, which is handwritten and personally delivered by a member of Staff Senate. Each recipient is also entered into a monthly drawing for a gift from the University Bookstore.

As part of the drawing prize, Schoychid will receive a gift from the University Bookstore valued at $25.

To view a complete list of September Staff Shout Out recipients, click here. For lists of Appalachian staff members who have received a Shout Out to date, visit https://staffsenate.appstate.edu/committees/staff-recognition.

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Give a staff member a Shout Out!

The Staff Recognition Committee, a committee of Staff Senate, works to create a positive work environment, improve employee engagement, and encourage an environment of support and appreciation.

One of the ways we encourage positive morale and staff engagement is through an informal recognition program called, "Shout Out." If you would like to have a staff member recognized for their positive contribution to the university, give them a "Shout Out."

Give a staff member a Shout Out!

See previous Shout Out recipients

Staff Senate

Staff Senate is a consulting body representing the voice of staff among Appalachian State University administration, faculty and the campus community, with a primary objective to improve and enhance the quality of life of all staff employees. Staff Senate also represents Appalachian staff at the UNC System Staff Assembly. Staff Senate ensures that staff work in a positive, respectful atmosphere with potential for their own professional and personal development.

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App State Staff Shout Out program announces Whitney Ward ’14 as June drawing winner

July 29, 2019

Ward, an administrative support associate in Appalachian’s Division of Educational Outreach and Summer Programs, was recognized with a Staff Shout Out for being “helpful, positive and thorough,” and having an “endlessly positive attitude.”

Read the story

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.