W&M staff celebrated during EAD '09
EAD '09 Justin Schoonmaker, Andrew Bauserman and Jesse Windley from Information Technology enjoy a free lunch during Employee Appreciation Day 2009. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 During the event, several William & Mary employees won door prizes, including a free parking pass for the year. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 William & Mary staff members enjoyed a free buffet lunch during the event. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 This year's EAD went "green." Employees who filled out a comment card received a free William & Mary reusable shopping bag. Also, an event program was not printed in order to save paper. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 Employees enjoyed a free buffet lunch in the Commons Dining Hall. The annual event is usually held in the Wren Yard, but rain forced this year's festivities inside. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 Employees who reached milestone anniversaries this year in their service to William & Mary were recognized in an event prior to the luncheon. Sylvia Stout, seen here with William & Mary President Taylor Reveley, was recognized for her 40 years of service to the College. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 Dave Shepard (left), associate vice president of facilities management, and Earleen O'Roark (right), associate vice president of human resources, congratulate Dudley Greene on 15 years of service to William & Mary. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 Carl Strikwerda (center), dean of Arts and Sciences, stands with Patricia Lawrence (left) Debra Eck who both received five-year awards. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 (Left to right) Natasha MacFarland (25 years), Corey Buttram (five years), Connie McCarthy, dean of university libraries, Glendora James (35 years) and Leslie Condra (15 years) enjoy time together during the event. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 Sherrene Moore of the Office of Procurement poses with President Taylor Reveley at the event. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 Jay Klinefelter (left) is congratulated by Courtney Carpenter for 30 years of service in Information Technology. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
EAD '09 (Left to right) Elka Spain, Joy Ketron (five years) and Earleen O'Roark enjoy a moment together at the event. Photo by Stephen Salpukas
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During the annual Employee Appreciation Day luncheon, staff members were able to mingle with their colleagues and friends across campus, enjoy a free buffet lunch and win door prizes. The event, which is usually held as a picnic in the Wren Yard, was moved to the dining hall because of rain.
Anna Martin, vice president of administration, welcomed the employees to the event.
"Today is the day we set aside each year to thank you for your outstanding and continued service to the College," she said. "I do hope that you hear ‘thank you' more than once a year for all of your work, but it's important to take time out to make sure you know how much we appreciate what you do: your skills, your dedication and your love for the College."
William & Mary President Taylor Reveley echoed Martin's sentiments.
"I learned long ago that the work of the staff is vital to the health and happiness of an organization," he said. "Indeed, most places would grind to a quick halt if the staff suddenly headed for the hills. This is certainly true of the College of William and Mary. Staff is vital. Each of you is vital. And you're doing a marvelous job of helping to push William & Mary forward."
Reveley acknowledged a few staff members specifically for their contributions, including Sylvia Stout who celebrates 40 years of service to the College this year and Bernard Bowman, who received the2009 Duke Award.
Martin said that this year's Employee Appreciation Day went a little "green." Employees who filled out comment cards received reusable William & Mary shopping bags, and the event programs were eliminated in order to save paper.
While the staff members enjoyed a buffet lunch, many of their supervisors and members of the administration volunteered to serve them.
"It's just nice to be able to give back to people who do so much for us," said Cory Springer, a senior assistant registrar who volunteered during the event.
Norma Southard, a monograph cataloging assistant at Swem Library, has worked at the College for 28 years and has enjoyed many Employee Appreciation Days. One of her favorite parts of the day is "getting to see people I've worked with over the years," she said.
Valerie Trovato, an office manager with the government department who brought her grandson to the event, also enjoys getting to see all of her colleagues and friends.
"It's nice to get to see everybody in a different way, rather than the work way," she said. "Especially at this time of year -- it's pretty intense -- so it's nice to just have a day to relax and not think about work."
