Appalachian’s longest serving staff member, Sammy Hartley, standing, received recognition for his 45 years of service to the university at the inaugural Chancellor's Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian's campus. Hartley is an administrative support associate in Appalachian’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University honored more than 120 staff members who have served the university for 20 years or more at the inaugural Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon, held Tuesday on Appalachian’s campus. The event featured remarks by Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts, Director of Human Resources Mark Bachmeier and Staff Senate Chair Mallory Sadler.
At the luncheon, Everts recognized staff members who, in 2018 or 2019, achieved milestone service anniversaries of 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 45 years, and for those celebrating three decades or more of service, Everts shared notes of praise from their colleagues and supervisors.
Addressing the honorees in the audience, Everts said, “Today, we get to celebrate all of you — the exceptional staff members who make Appalachian the special place that it is.”
She continued, “Your dedication to Appalachian’s students, faculty, other staff and alumni spans decades, generations and departments, and your influence is felt throughout the university and far beyond. Your time and effort have contributed to the betterment of our university and the success of our students. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.”
As a token of the university’s appreciation, staff members with 20 years of service received a rosewood box that will be engraved with the university logo, and staff members with 25 years of service received a wool blanket embroidered with the university logo. Staff members with 30 years or more of service received a black and gold Mountaineers rocking chair featuring the university seal.
A sample of the rosewood box conferred to each Appalachian staff member with 20 years of service to the university. Each box will be engraved with the university logo, along with the staff member’s number of service years. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian staff members with 25 years of service to the university received a wool blanket embroidered with the university logo and their number of service years. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian staff members with service anniversaries of 30, 35, 40 or 45 years received a black and gold Mountaineers rocking chair featuring the university seal. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian staff members Denise Ringler, director of arts engagement and cultural resources, third from left, and Megan Hayes, associate vice chancellor and chief communications officer, fourth from left, visit during the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian’s campus. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian’s director of human resources, Mark Bachmeier, welcomes the crowd at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian’s campus. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts addresses the crowd of staff honorees at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on the university’s campus. Photo by Marie Freeman
Kate Brinko, coordinator of mediation services/employment relations consultant, stands as she is recognized for 30 years of service to the university at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on the university’s campus. Photo by Marie Freeman
Jeff Cook, vehicle and equipment operator, stands as he is recognized for 30 years of service to the university at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian’s campus. Photo by Marie Freeman
Chief Information Officer David Hayler stands as he is recognized for 30 years of service to the university at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on the university’s campus. Photo by Marie Freeman
James Hayes, business systems analyst, stands as he is recognized for 30 years of service to the university at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on the university’s campus. Photo by Marie Freeman
Sisters and Appalachian staff members Sheila Perry, executive assistant in the Office of Athletics, left, and Kathy Deas, executive assistant in the Office of General Counsel, were each honored for 30 years of service to Appalachian and the state of North Carolina at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian’s campus. Photo by Marie Freeman
Staff members with 20 years of service to Appalachian were honored at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian’s campus. Pictured in the front row, left to right, are Amy Roberts, accounting manager; Jenny Koehn, associate director of student programs; Karen Laws, administrative support associate; Dr. Sheri Everts, Appalachian’s chancellor; Karen Wilkinson, administrative support associate; Anna Basnight, technology application analyst; Selena Dollar, university program specialist; Patsy Synder, accounting technician; Brian Brown, director of electronic student services; and Lee Hawkins, observatory engineer. Pictured in the back row, left to right, are Kimberly Townsend, administrative support specialist; Charlie Wallin, assistant director of campus dining; Alan Byrd, high voltage distribution supervisor; Michael Stamey, engineering technician; Donavan Perry, administrative support associate; Lynne Waugh, executive director of academic advising in University College; Stephanie Naoum, university program specialist; and Amy Carson, university program specialist. Photo by Marie Freeman
Staff members with 25 years of service to Appalachian were honored at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian’s campus. Pictured, left to right, are Cindy Harper, human resources consultant; Denise Ringler, director of arts engagement and cultural resources; Dr. Sheri Everts, Appalachian’s chancellor; Stacy Sears, director of academic services for athletes; Amy Lyons, administrative support specialist; Sandra Evans, university program specialist; Debbie Race, university registrar; Chad Hicks, purchasing manager; Debbie Gragg, medical diagnostic technician; Charna Howson, director of sponsored programs; Paula Hicks, early childhood development practitioner; Beth Clark, environmental health and safety professional; and Vivian Thompson, technology support analyst. Photo by Marie Freeman
Staff members with 30 years of service to Appalachian were honored at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian’s campus. Pictured, left to right, are Jeff Cook, vehicle and equipment operator; Doug Whitney, building and environmental technician; Kate Brinko, coordinator of mediation services/employment relations consultant; James Hayes, business systems analyst; Dr. Sheri Everts, Appalachian’s chancellor; Sandra Black, who has retired from her position as director of administration in the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts; Sheila Perry, executive assistant; Kathy Deas, executive assistant; and David Hayler, chief information officer. Photo by Marie Freeman
Dr. Randy Edwards, Appalachian’s vice chancellor for university advancement, left, with Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts, center, and Terry Edwards, who retired in June from the university’s Office of Internal Audits. Brothers Randy and Terry Edwards were each honored for 35 years of service to the university at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian’s campus. Photo by Marie Freeman
Staff members with 40 years of service to Appalachian were honored at the Chancellor’s Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian’s campus. Pictured standing is Dana Millsaps, facilities maintenance technician in the mechanical engineering department of Appalachian’s Facilities Operations. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian’s longest serving staff member, Sammy Hartley, standing, received recognition for his 45 years of service to the university at the inaugural Chancellor's Service Awards Luncheon held Nov. 19 on Appalachian's campus. Hartley is an administrative support associate in Appalachian’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts, left, with Appalachian’s longest serving staff member, Sammy Hartley, who is seated in the black and gold Mountaineers rocking chair he received in recognition of his 45 years of service to the university. Hartley is an administrative support associate in Appalachian’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
The staff gifts were locally sourced. The rocking chairs came from Boone Industries in Boone, the rosewood boxes came from the University Bookstore on campus and the wool blankets were embroidered at Omega Tees and Screen Printing in Boone.
Director of Human Resources Mark Bachmeier, who welcomed attendees, thanked Everts for creating and hosting the luncheon, and for personally recognizing staff members who have attained service milestones.
Bachmeier noted that, throughout the remainder of 2019, the university will recognize a total of 516 staff members who have achieved milestone service anniversaries. The staff members’ collective service to the university totals more than 6,585 years.
In her remarks, Everts thanked the members of Appalachian’s Staff Senate and staff in the Office of Human Resources for their support of Appalachian staff members. She also recognized Margaret McCoy, executive director of donor engagement and university events, for her curation of the luncheon.
Sadler concluded the event, saying, “You (staff members) come from vastly different departments, proving that Appalachian as a whole is an amazing place to work. Your commitment to this institution makes all the difference. We would not be the exceptional institution of higher learning that we are without you. Thank you for your service.”
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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.
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