The Gordy Dining Hall was packed Tuesday morning as Reinhardt’s faculty and staff gathered for the annual Welcome Back Breakfast. The celebratory event marking the start of the new academic year honored dedicated employee service and welcomed new employees to the University.
Employees with five, 10, 15 and 20 years of service were presented a certificate and photo with President Dr. Kina Mallard.
The 20-year service awards went to Library staff member Stephanie Olson and Support Services staff member Jean Champion-Degnan. Fifteen-year service awards were given to Dr. Walter May, assistant dean of students & director of student activities, and Andy Kaplan, women’s soccer coach. Maritza Pivaral (Housekeeping), Jennifer Pourchier (Athletics), Fabia Smith (School of Performing Arts), Chris Darnell (Housekeeping), Jym Davis (School of Arts/Humanities), Elizabeth Smith (School of Math/Sciences) and Derek Struchtemeyer (Student Affairs) all were honored for 10 years of service. Employees honored for five years of service were Christopher Bryan (Admissions), Crystal Bell (Registrar’s Office), Andy Hise (Admissions), Robert Fain (McCamish School of Business), John Snow (Athletics), Rhonda Kelley (Public Safety) and Diliana Slavova (School of Performing Arts).
In addition to an overall welcome to the new school year and service awards, Tim Norton, vice president for Advancement and Marketing, officially kicked off the Reinhardt Family Campaign. Last year, over $28,000 of the $1.1 million raised for Reinhardt Annual Fund came from faculty and staff who made gifts to Reinhardt.
Norton asked employees again to consider giving to the Reinhardt Family Campaign and reiterated the opportunity to also become a member of the 1883 Club for a monthly donation of $18.83.
“Students coming our way in less than a week are the recipients of your generosity,” Norton told Reinhardt faculty and staff. “Together with your colleagues and friends here at Reinhardt, you are making a difference in the lives of students. Thank you so very much!”
