Celebrate Outstanding ETSU Staff
Each year, the ETSU Staff Senate honors staff members whose dedication, service, and commitment exemplify excellence across the university. The Staff Senate Awards recognize individuals who make meaningful contributions to ETSU’s mission, culture, and community.
Distinguished Staff Award
The Distinguished Staff Award recognizes staff who have demonstrated exceptional performance, a positive attitude, and a commitment to excellence in the past year.
Eligibility:
- At least 12 months of continuous service in the current position as of April 1
- Has not received the Distinguished Staff Award in the same EEOC category within the past five (5) years
- Non-probationary ETSU staff member in good standing
Nominations are welcome from peers, supervisors, direct reports, students, and campus partners. Curious what a good nomination looks like? Review this rubric.
Career Staff Award
The Career Staff Award honors staff with 25 or more years of service whose dedication has made a lasting impact on ETSU and has demonstrated sustained excellence over a career.
Eligibility
- 25+ years of continuous service at ETSU as of April 1
- Non-probationary staff member in good standing
Nominations are welcome from peers, supervisors, direct reports, students, and campus partners. Have questions about how to craft your nomination? Review this rubric.
Nominate a Career Staff Member
What Award Recipients Receive
All Staff Senate Award recipients receive:
- A commemorative plaque
- Public recognition at the May Staff Celebration
- A $2,000 monetary award (subject to applicable taxes)
Nomination Letters should be:
- 300–500 words
- typed in 12-point font and single-spaced (or neatly handwritten)
- clearly address the published rubric criteria
Incomplete nominations will not be reviewed. Rubrics and detailed guidance are provided to support clear, fair, and meaningful nominations.
Note: The Awards Committee will consider up to three (3) letters per nominee.
Tips for Submitting a Strong Nomination
- Use specific examples, rather than general praise
- Clearly address each rubric category
- Focus on impact, outcomes, and alignment with ETSU’s core values
- Emphasize quality over quantity of letters
Note: Neatly handwritten nominations may also be submitted via campus mail to Undergraduate Student Advisement c/o Ethan Hutchinson, Campus Box 702911.
Contact the Staff Senate Awards Committee
For questions about nominations, eligibility, or the awards process, please contact: Ethan Hutchinson, Awards Committee Chair, hutchinsoneg@etsu.edu
The Staff Senate Awards program reflects ETSU’s commitment to recognizing excellence, service, integrity, inclusiveness, and people-first values across our campus community.
2025 Winners
Congratulations to our most recent honorees:
Distinguished Staff
- Morgan Kidd, Assistant Director, Applied Social Research Laboratory, EEOC 3
- Melody Blevins, Associate Director, Access ETSU, EEOC 3
- Chuck Patton, Executive Aide, Department of Environmental Health, EEOC 4
- John Lane, Multimedia Technician, Information Technology Services, EEOC 5
- Casey Gwyn, Carpenter (Finish), Plant Maintenance and Repairs, EEOC 6
- Janice Kendrick, Custodian, Custodial Services, EEOC 7
- Jayson Hall, Maintenance Utility Helper, Custodial Services, EEOC 7
Career Staff
- Jeri Paddock, Manager, Library Administration
