Hendrix
celebrates staff, honors award winners at the end of the academic year
CONWAY, Ark. (May 24, 2024) — Hendrix College celebrated the contributions
of staff members at a year-end program on Friday in the Student Life and
Technology Center, which included staff awards, lunch, games, and prizes.
The following awards were presented to Hendrix staff members:
‘Indi’ Award
- Karisa
McAlister (Coordinator of Multicultural Student Services – Student Affairs)
- David Mikels
(Utility Supervisor – Dining Services)
McAlister and Mikels received the ‘Indi’ Award, presented to
staff members who have proven to be an indispensable member of, and
contributor to, the Hendrix community.
McAlister
was nominated for her work as an advisor, advocate, and champion for
multicultural students, helping them navigate their college lives by
encouraging their academic efforts and supporting them in off campus
activities.
Mikels has
worked at Hendrix for 37 years and is described as the “go to” man who knows
everything about everything in Dining Services. He is one of the first to
arrive to meet delivery trucks and put away products and produce. He's always
dependable, friendly, hardworking, and quick to help anyone who needs
assistance.
A.C. Millar
Innovator Award
- Heath
Riddle-Sims (Associate Director – Admission)
- Julie Janos
(Development Associate – Advancement)
Riddle-Sims
and Janos received the A. C. Millar Innovator Award, given to a staff member
who champions new and innovative ideas to make Hendrix better. The award is
named for Hendrix College President A. C. Millar, who was instrumental in
moving the College from Altus to Conway in 1890.
Riddle-Sims
was nominated for his work with the Orientation team in creating a new form for
new students to select their orientation trips, which made the selection
process much more user friendly for our incoming students and assisted with
student placement on the trips.
Janos
was nominated for her videos used for social media, email campaigns, etc.,
which give alumni, donors, prospective students, parents, and current faculty,
staff, and students a sense of what is happening across campus.
Helen S. Plotkin Team Excellence Award
- The Hendrix Solar Odyssey Event Team (Jay Burling, Sharron
Russell, Lynette Long, Tim Purkiss, Brian Williams, Pamela Owen, Amy Forbus,
Leigh Lassiter-Counts, John Steward, Michelle Viner, Jeremy Dickerson, Meagan
Burling)
The
Helen S. Plotkin Team Excellence Award is given to a staff office or a project
team of staff members from multiple offices to recognize a successful project
or accomplishment that contributes to the College's strategic goals. The award
is named for former Vice President of Marketing Communications Helen S.
Plotkin, who retired in 2017 after more than two decades of service to Hendrix.
The Eclipse planning team was nominated for
making the Hendrix Solar Odyssey eclipse event a reality, from the webpage and stage
logistics to concessions to parking and campus safety to local, state, and
national media coverage to event emcees to receiving three sponsorship grants
to managing dozens of volunteers.
View Staff Bash 2024 photos here.
About Hendrix
College
Founded in
1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools
That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the
country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning
opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The
Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has
been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through
engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to
diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community
inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and
joy.” —Hendrix College Statement of Purpose