Staff members recognized for milestones; two named Employees of the Year
This is a guest post from Human Resources:
The campus community celebrated service milestones for approximately 240 Wake Forest staff members with more than 3,100 combined years of service. These individuals were recognized at the annual Staff Rewards & Recognition Luncheon Oct. 2 at the Sutton Center. A milestone video highlighted some of their Wake Forest experiences.
A campus-wide celebration will be held during the Benefits Fair on Oct. 22 from noon – 4 p.m. in the Sutton Center, with remarks at 2 p.m.
Staff members who have achieved 30 or more years of service are:
- 30 years: Patty Atwood (Information Systems), Annemarie Buwalda (School of Law), Amy Comer (Research and Sponsored Programs), Jeffrey Holleman (University Police), Kerry King (University Advancement), Regina Lawson (University Police), Larry Love (Facilities and Campus Services), Jeffrey Marion (Facilities and Campus Services), John McCrowell (Facilities and Campus Services), Martine Sherrill (Art), Michael Thompson (Chemistry), Cheryl Walker (University Advancement)
- 35 years: Kathy Bunn (School of Business), Marion Gist (Graylyn), Sally Irvin (School of Law), Paul Sheff (Facilities and Campus Services), Elide Vargas (Politics and International Affairs)
- 40 years: Minta McNally (University Advancement)
Christian Burris with President Hatch
Christian Burris, Serials Acquisition Coordinator and 25-year honoree in the Z. Smith Reynolds Library and Carol Brehm, Administrative Coordinator in the Department of Music, were recognized as Employees of the Year. They were nominated by faculty and staff for their contributions in the areas of innovation, integrity, accountability, inclusion, and Pro Humanitate.
Christian’s nomination reads: Christian is a 1993 Wake Forest graduate, and he has been employed in the Z. Smith Reynolds Library ever since. While at ZSR, he has been reliable, kind and available to assist, as one of the most stalwart volunteers for the Library’s after-hours programming. He serves on the Executive Committee for the Association of Black Alumni, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and the Council for Diversity and Inclusion.
The nomination proceeds to highlight Christian’s impact, amidst recent challenges the community has faced around inclusion and belonging: Throughout this unsettling time, Chris’ calm demeanor has been a balm to many, allowing all voices to be heard, while remaining steadfast in the desire to stay true to the principles of inclusion. He has led thoughtful discussions about painful issues, which can be difficult when they involve an institution we hold dear. He has been steady throughout, even as he has shared his own personal stories.
As Christian works diligently to bring all voices to the table, he is incredibly thoughtful about accuracy and fairness. He uses those skills to create an environment where larger conversations can happen within the library environment. Christian Burris has served Wake Forest with distinction throughout his career. His steady and calm leadership over the past year, in particular, has been an extraordinary gift to both the Library and the University. Christian personifies everything it takes to be the Employee of the Year.
Carol Brehm with President Hatch
Carol’s nomination reads: Carol Brehm is the beating heart of the Department of Music. Her service, loyalty, and cheerful disposition have buoyed the spirits of faculty, students, and fellow staff members.
Carol assumes a tremendous amount of responsibility for practical issues within the Department of Music, including managing all financial transactions, overseeing student assistants, and assisting faculty. Carol feels personally responsible for the smooth running of the department, and for the accurate recording of financial transactions. If a small error creeps into the course schedule, or a financial report does not balance out, even if the mistake is not her own, she will not rest until the error is fixed!
Her laughter is frequently heard around the department, establishing an atmosphere of friendship and joy. She is warm, gracious and eager to be of service to all students and staff. Carol Brehm has in abundance all the qualities of an Employee of the Year. She is the ideal candidate for this significant award and is most-deserving of campus-wide recognition.
The nominations highlight the welcoming environment each winner fosters:
- Through the innovative programming he leads, Christian Burris demonstrates a commitment to ensuring students, faculty, and staff feel welcome.
- Carol Brehm exudes warmth and a welcoming atmosphere to one and all in the office.
Congratulations to Christian Burris, Carol Brehm, and all staff members celebrating milestones.
Categories: Inside WFU, Staff News
Wake Forest Magazine: discarded bed frames gain second life
Wake Forest Magazine tells the story of how discarded bed frames in Palmer and Piccolo residence halls “will have a second life on campus as benches, rocking chairs and tables.”
The frames were pulled out of the residence halls, recently, and campus employees have plans now for building new objects from the frames that will carry some Wake Forest history.
The piece is written by the magazine’s senior editor, Kerry King (’85).
Categories: University Announcement
Creative excellence earns WFU 8 Gold Awards from CASE
“Voices of Our Time – Ta’Nehisi Coates” poster won the Grand Gold Award.
Wake Forest continues to raise the bar of creative excellence for best practices in advancement, winning eight varying Gold Awards in the annual 2016 Circle of Excellence awards program sponsored by The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
Wake Forest Magazine received the Gold Award in the General Interest Magazines category, circulation 37,000+. “Wake Forest obviously is doing everything right … someone here is thinking about how images enhance storytelling – something we wished we had seen in more magazines.”
The magazine also won the Gold Award in the category Staff Periodicals Writing. The entry included “The Hidden Gym,” “Family Trees” and “Inside Pitch” by managing editor Cherin C. Poovey; “Look at Her Now” by Maria Henson, associate vice president and editor-at-large; and “Real-Life Drama” by senior editor Kerry M. King.
The judges noted: “This publication truly sets the gold standard for alumni magazines that aspire to inform, affirm, entertain and engage. Each story was allowed to develop and fully engage the reader.”
The Communications and External Relations team received a total of six Gold Awards for a range of creative work in varying categories.
For the Multi-page Publication which had 94 entries, the team won the Grand Gold Award for “iPlace Viewbook” which was noted for its “edgy, outside the box, design” and use of bold colors. “The combination of photography and line drawing to provide visual explanation was very well done,” noted the judges.
In the Posters category with 32 entries, the Grand Gold Award was achieved for “Voices of Our Time – Ta’Nehisi Coates” which was, according to judges’ comments, an “overwhelming favorite.” The entry was described as “compelling,” “stunning” and “a rare design that goes beyond its intended project or purpose and creates additional rich communication opportunities.”
In the Specialty Pieces category with 49 entries, the team won the Gold Award for the “Demon Deacon Playing Cards,” for an “unusual and irresistible annual fund campaign.” The cards were described as “beautiful and fun, with quality typography and a restrained black-and-gold color palette highlighted by pops of silver and gold foil on the card packaging. The judges kept returning to this entry, wanting to handle the cards and keep flipping through.”
A Grand Gold Award was received in the Annual Giving Programs category out of 38 entries for “Naming Rights for the Rest of Us,” a campaign created to celebrate the donors whose smaller annual gifts make a big difference. The judges said: “The institution took items from around campus that held significance and offered exclusive naming rights for several lucky donors – items like the telephone of the man who makes the call when classes are canceled due to weather, the leaf blower that always seems to be operating outside a dorm window at 7am, and the skillet of a legendary campus chef.”
Out of 51 entries in the Annual Reports & Fund Reports, Wake won the Gold Award for “Year Two,” which judges described as a “daring departure from the standard cookie-cutter annual report. The design was modern and accessible and the narrative compelling.”
For the Viewbooks and Prospectuses (Print) category, which had 52 entries, the University won the Gold Award for the “Admissions Viewbook.” Judges noted that the entry “created a tone and visual energy that could provide answers to prospective students in ways that conjure the student experience.”
The awards competition received 3,356 entries for consideration in nearly 100 categories from more than 713 higher education institutions, independent schools and affiliated organizations located worldwide.
CASE is one of the largest international associations of education institutions with more than 3,600 member colleges and universities and honors outstanding work in advancement services, alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing at colleges, universities, independent schools and affiliated nonprofits.
Categories: University Announcement
Wake Forest Magazine wins two top awards
Wake Forest Magazine won two top awards in the 2015 Circle of Excellence global competition sponsored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
The publication received a Gold Award in Periodical Staff Writing for a collection of five stories: “Out of This Art World” and “An Artful Friendship” by Editor Maria Henson (’82); “Oh, Those Lilting Banshees: Where Are They (Funny) Now?” and “Ted Gellar-Goad and the Secret of the Sphinx” by Managing Editor Cherin C. Poovey (P ’08); and “The Thing He Carried” by Senior Editor Kerry M. King (’85).
“Wake Forest submitted a diverse and thoroughly entertaining set of stories. From painting buddies in Winston-Salem to art on the Texas prairie, each entry delivered a strong, unique voice and command of the material,” wrote the judges. “Writing was crisp and informative. Even more importantly, the committee could delineate a direct connection between the subject matter and the mission of Wake Forest.”
The magazine staff, including Deputy Editor Janet Williamson (P ’00, ’03), also received a Bronze Award for General Interest Magazines over 75,000 circulation.
Categories: Staff News
