BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Staff Shout Out program has named the winner of its January drawing — Dr. Gary McCullough, associate dean of research and graduate education in Appalachian’s Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS) and executive director of the university’s Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services (IHHS).

McCullough is one of 2,029 Appalachian staff members who have been recognized to date for their Shout Out-worthy service to the university.

In his January Shout Out to McCullough, Clint Coffey, business and technology applications specialist in Appalachian’s Office of Business Systems, thanked McCullough for his support of the university’s Health Promotion program, which he said “boosts campus health, wellness and morale.”

The program provides Appalachian staff, faculty, retirees and their spouses/domestic partners with information, programs and services that help to promote a healthier lifestyle and a better quality of life.

In particular, Coffey recognized the BCHS Office of the Dean and IHHS for providing continued Health Promotion services during the nearly 15-month period when the program was displaced from its location in Varsity Gym due to flood-related water damage in fall 2018.

By working closely with Appalachian Athletics and the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, the program continued to operate at various locations across campus, including the Leon Levin Hall of Health Sciences.

Of his Shout Out, McCullough said, “I really appreciate the acknowledgement of the great work our staff in the Institute for Health and Human Services did to keep Health Promotion going this past year. It’s awesome that so many people are excited to have it back on Appalachian’s main campus.”

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.

McCullough will receive a gift from the University Bookstore as part of his drawing prize.

To view a complete list of January 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.

Learn more

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Matt Huntanar, coordinator of the university’s Jump Start Appalachian program, is among the more than 1,000 Appalachian staff members who were recognized for their Shout Out-worthy service to the university in 2019.

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About the Beaver College of Health Sciences

Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS), opened in 2010, is transforming the health and quality of life for the communities it serves through interprofessional collaboration and innovation in teaching, scholarship, service and clinical outreach. The college enrolls more than 3,600 students and offers 10 undergraduate degree programs, nine graduate degree programs and four certificates across six departments: Nursing, Nutrition and Health Care Management, Public Health and Exercise Science, Recreation Management and Physical Education, Rehabilitation Sciences, and Social Work. The college’s academic programs are located in the Holmes Convocation Center on App State’s main campus and the Levine Hall of Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art, 203,000-square-foot facility that is the cornerstone of Boone’s Wellness District. In addition, the college supports the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness and has collaborative partnerships with the Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program, UNC Health Appalachian and numerous other health agencies. Learn more at https://healthsciences.appstate.edu.

About the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness

The Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (App Well) connects Appalachian State University to the community by supporting health and wellness research, interprofessional clinics and community outreach programs. The institute partners with the community to better prepare students to become exceptional practitioners who will continue to address health issues and disparities throughout the region and beyond. Learn more at https://appwell.appstate.edu.

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.