2021 ICYC Recipients

Dr. Michelle Ocasio, Modern and Classical Languages

When I needed to prepare an online class on short notice, Dr. Ocasio shared with me all the material that she created and taught me how to handle it in the online environment. It was very generous and I appreciate it very much. She is tech-savvy and is always happy to help me and others with her expertise. Thank you so much, Michelle!

Amy Chew, Library

I was hoping to read a book by a professor from Finland. I put in an interlibrary loan for it and no universities in the US had it for loan. Our interlibrary loan department contacted the author, and she's sending one to our library so we can have a copy. That is just the above and beyond awesomeness that makes our interlibrary loan department so great.

Pepper Croft, IT

We discovered our Terra Dotta study abroad software was not connecting to the LDAP server after the USG banner migration in March 2020. Pepper was involved in the original software installation so I called her first for advice and she immediately returned my call.  She contacted the team at VSU that would be responsible for correcting this problem. She followed through daily with the software company and the team to ensure the problem was fixed.  She responds to e-mails immediately which is always a great help!

Caterina Barro, New Media Center

I was in need of a laptop during a last-minute virtual meeting, in such a rush of time, Caterina assisted me throughout the whole process with great patience. For that, I'm so very thankful for NMC staff and student assistants for providing such great professional services. Keep up the good work Caterina!

Jeremy Hardin, New Media Center

I was in need of a laptop during a last-minute virtual meeting, in such a rush of time, Jeremy personally handed me the laptop to my workstation. For that, I'm so very thankful for NMC staff and student assistants for providing such great professional services. Keep up the good work NMC!

Cliff Giddens, IT

Cliff spent hours on phone calls and making changes on solving a software issue with a database system we use in our office. It was a problem even the software company couldn't figure it out in one call. He kept at it and finally found a solution and now we are back up and running.

Catherine Bowers, Library

I've had Cat do a library instruction session with my upper-level media course in the past, and every time she does a phenomenal job. She goes above and beyond to learn about the course and the assignment(s) that students are working toward and comes to the class prepared for how she can help my students, specifically. Each time she is energetic and passionate and gives research discussions a breath of fresh air. I'm so happy each time I learn that she will be giving the session in my class, and I know the students benefit greatly from learning from her. She is awesome at what she does!

Timothy Wilson, Physical Plant - Landscape and Grounds

I had lost my phone and was wandering around looking for it when Tim came up and offered to help me. He took part of his lunch break to search the grounds and parking lot with me and eventually found my phone. It was a really stressful moment, and he was so kind and considerate. I hope that he knows how much I really appreciated his help and that he is a wonderful person!

Ashton Young, Academic Advisor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences

I feel very lucky to have the privilege of working regularly with the excellent academic advisors in the College of the Arts, who always go above and beyond in their "regular" advising of our Art & Design students.  However, when I encountered a student in one of my CORE courses with whom I was having some difficulty reaching, I was so pleased to find the same level of prompt and exceptional assistance in Ashton Young, advisor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.  I just wanted to express my personal appreciation as a faculty member to have the assistance of such wonderful professional advisors as we strive to help our students achieve academic success!

Abolanle Dahunsi, Academic Support Center

I was having trouble making an outline for my Senior Seminar research paper. Bola helped explain what would be best for my main talking points and why that it is best. She even stated that I can email her if I still needed help or needed a peer review.

Shannon Zapf, One Card Services

Shannon came in after hours and on her day off to produce a replacement card for a student. Shannon is always willing to help in ways that go above and beyond her job requirements. 

Susan Jones, Plant Services

The occupants on the north end of Ashley Hall are very grateful to Susan Jones for finding out the cause and ensuring that a correction was made to an error with the heating system for our building. The temperatures were extremely cold in our offices. Her dedication to ensuring it was corrected as quickly as possible and her concern for our well-being and comfort is very commendable and very much appreciated.

Dr. Michael Black, Institutional Effectiveness

Michael Black helped me create the report I needed from SmartEvals with a quick email and follow-up directions. I had spent several hours trying to bend the system to my will, increasing my frustration, but with two emails, he showed me how to get what I needed. His ability to help faculty navigate varied systems and portals is phenomenal.

Sandra Barrios, VPFA & Budgeting Services

Sandra helped me with my payroll tax issue and she was so helpful and so patient. She stayed with me until I understood everything and then she sent me emails with information. She truly cared about helping me. The Payroll Department has an absolute gem of an employee working for them. Keep up the great work Sandra! Thank you again for all you did for me!

Gary Thomas, Central Warehouse

I would like to send out words of appreciation for these delivery workers for assisting us with moving and swapping out desks for our department. They worked diligently to make sure the furniture was moved and set up properly. Thank you for all you do!

Donnell Grady, Central Warehouse

I would like to send out words of appreciation for these delivery workers for assisting us with moving and swapping out desks for our department. They worked diligently to make sure the furniture was moved and set up properly. Thank you for all you do!

Heather Craft, Office of Accounting and Procurement

Ms. Craft helped me tremendously dealing with the state budget page. She also had a very positive attitude and knew her stuff!

West Rogers, IT

West Rogers is always professional and very helpful. I know that he will handle any issues that I have. 

Marsha Dukes, eLearning

Immediately before the start of Spring semester, a faculty member had an emergency and had to be replaced with a  new adjunct. Marsha went above and beyond over the weekend before classes started to make sure the two courses were up and running. Thank you so much!

Sarah Bring, IT

Sarah and her team were a great support in assisting me with setting up orientation. While the classroom support team is always willing to assist and help out where they can, this past week was a great depiction of their dedicated work. Due to her team's great efforts, we were able to set up multiple stations on the fly in time for orientation. I am extremely thankful for the teamwork they provided this past week.

Guy Ervin, University Advancement

Thank you to Guy for bringing his own talents, personality, and organization each and every day. Guy is hardworking and I appreciate everything he does for University Advancement.

Linda Reinhard, University Advancement

Thank you to Linda for bringing her own talents, personality, and organization each and every day. Linda is hardworking and I appreciate everything she does for University Advancement.

Leola Sharp, University Advancement

Thank you to Leola for bringing her own talents, personality, and organization each and every day. Leola is hardworking and I appreciate everything she does for University Advancement.

Kyle Culpepper, New Media Center

Kudos to Kyle Culpepper for helping me get set up with a laptop and hotspot from the New Media Center at the beginning of the pandemic. I was having issues in requesting items needed and he was quite instrumental in walking me through the process. I appreciate Kyle's time and patience.

Kyle Culpepper, New Media Center

Kyle really aided me in developing a visual representation of my research. I am grateful for his patience and his expertise. He was very efficient when editing. He gave me breadth for which I could "just be" in the moment and embody my message. Kyle is always so caring!

Kyle Culpepper, New Media Center

Kyle was eager to assist me and my students with editing the narrated PowerPoint presentation for the VSU Undergraduate Research Symposium. Kyle worked with me for two hours troubleshooting the audio and this was not an easy task. I am so grateful for his help and diligence. Thank you for all that you do.

Diane Bellflowers, Physical Plant Admin

Diane has been a huge help for Campus Recreation as we are rebranding and changing colors in the Student Rec Center. Her professional guidance has been amazing. We would not be able to have achieved this without her help. We have had a large number of positive comments on these changes that she has helped us with. Thank you, Diane.

Dan Cody, Facilities Planning

Dan has been outstanding in helping us with a large number of projects. These projects vary in size and scale, but in every case, Dan is an excellent professional and always willing to help. Recently, he has been helping with some projects that the VPSA has strongly supported. These would not have moved forward without Dan’s hard work. You are making a positive difference for thousands of students and we greatly appreciate you.

Heather Craft, Office of Accounting and Procurement

Heather Craft is just wonderful to work with. She could be buried under 70 purchase order requests and she still answers the phone with such a pleasant greeting. The Student Success and Marketing teams have been working hard on getting advertising going for the new Online College, and it has required several new vendors. Each time we send a new quote and contract to Heather, she is ready to assist in any way she can. She is patient, understanding, and works incredibly hard. She makes sure we don't feel bad when we call her with an urgent need. I'm so glad Heather is on the VSU team with us!

Heather Craft, Office of Accounting and Procurement

Heather has been doing an amazing job helping with critical projects that were in danger of increasing in price because of materials going up. Her ability to get these projects through the process saved the University money and will have a positive impact on students. She helped us with a couple of requests that will replace equipment that is more than 20 years old and daily used by students. Thank you, Heather. We greatly appreciate your efforts. 

Zonnya Lane, Office of Accounting and Procurement

I was having an issue signing off on my PC.  When I called Zonnya she did not hesitate to get the issue resolved. She was very patient and had excellent customer service skills.

A'Shondee Kinlaw, Graduate School Admissions

A'Shondee returned to campus from quarantine in May 2020 as an essential worker. She has always made sure someone was here to assist our graduate students and applicants. In a time where everything felt very unstable and uncertain, A'Shondee was and remains a constant for our student population. Her presence and her efforts are one of the defining reasons our enrollment was not negatively impacted during this pandemic.

Brian Anderson, IT

We did our first event using the Live option in Teams. Thanks to Brian we were able to broadcast a panel discussion to all the students in the Langdale College of Business Administration. We are so appreciative of his support for this event and getting it set up for the students.

Hunter Baxter, IT

Hunter followed up with me after multiple days of playing phone tag. His wizardry with the VSU-related software helped me out in a bind. His patience and kindness were greatly appreciated!

Hunter Baxter, IT

Hunter went in and changed the expense report due to a typo. He saved me and other administrators about 1-2 hours of work. Thank you for all your help.

Sheila Hall, IT

I needed help with a difficult task and Sheila Hall came to the rescue. She and Roberto Leal were able to recreate the document needed for our department to complete the task.

Quinncy Thomas, IT

The President's Office had candidates on campus all week. Thursday night the TV in the Rotunda stopped working. Quinncy came over and stayed late to make sure it was up and running for the President's use.

Lynette Hepburn-Richardson, Career Opportunities

At the start of each semester, Ms. Hepburn-Richardson presents information on writing a cover letter and developing a resume along with a professional appearance to the senior nursing leadership students. She and her staff review the documents and provide feedback. The students also attend a mock interview session where their appearance and interview skills are evaluated. Ms. Hepburn-Richardson and her staff provide feedback that helps to prepare the graduating senior nursing students for a job interview. The students always have extremely positive comments regarding how this prepares them to enter the job market. 

Tanya Fontaine, Financial Aid - Veterans Affairs

Tanya has gone above and beyond to help our veterans and their dependents. While working from home and from the office, she is always on point. She makes sure that the students are well informed about their educational benefits. 

April Jankowski, COHUSS Advising

Ms. Jankowski is the nicest person ever! She treats everyone with respect and goes out of her way to make sure you are succeeding. I am thankful for people like Mrs. Jankowski at VSU because I know she cares about the success of her students.

Rosemary Sirmans, Creative Services

I needed a last-minute design for several pieces for the "Countdown to Commencement" rollout on March 1st. Rosemary moved her already busy schedule around to make these designs so we could meet our deadline. She is always patient and willing to help. She is such a pleasure to work with and is a true gem at Valdosta State! 

Rebecca Petrella, Graduate Studies and Research

During the pandemic, Rebecca was instrumental in transitioning the graduate admission paper process to the new electronic process (Radius). Before March 2020, no one could imagine doing any part of the graduate admissions process remotely. She embraced the challenge to ensure a smooth transition from one system to the next. Her efforts made it possible for the increase in enrollment of graduate programs. I am in awe of the grit she showed during this past year. 

Jessica Powers, Graduate Admissions

During the pandemic, Jessica was instrumental in transitioning the graduate admission paper process to the new electronic process (Radius). Before March 2020, no one could imagine doing any part of the graduate admissions process remotely. She embraced the challenge to ensure a smooth transition from one system to the next. Her efforts made it possible for the increase in enrollment of graduate programs. I am in awe of the grit she showed during this past year. 

Ernest Smith, Graduate School Admissions

One of my graduate students has had a tough year personally and she missed a deadline to submit her poster to the Graduate Research Symposium. Ernest worked very late at night to include a student's work at the last minute. His work ethic is exceptional, and he always goes above and beyond to support our graduate students. Thank you, Ernest!

Ernest Smith, Graduate School Admissions

Mr. Smith has been instrumental in editing and publishing my research (dissertation, graduate symposium, 3MT). He has guided and encouraged me. He has been a cheerleader and really helped me to push myself more. I feel that he has somewhat mentored me through a number of uncharted adventures. I am most grateful for Mr. Smith. 

Dr. Jonathan Krispin, Management & Healthcare Administration

Before class started, Dr. Krispin was heading back to his office and witnessed a student drop her jacket. He took time out of his rushed schedule and chased her down just to give her the jacket. It was a genuine moment of kindness from him when he thought no one was looking. 

Jeff Shipley, LCOBA

We did our first event using the Live option in Teams. Thanks to Jeff we were able to broadcast a panel discussion to all the students in the Langdale College of Business Administration. We are so appreciative of his support for this event and creating the QR code to allow students to log in easily to the event. 

Rafiah Jenkins, School of Nursing

Rafiah was available after hours to help me sort out a student issue with an exam that had been taken and couldn't be located in OneDrive. She responded quickly and efficiently to sort out the problem and find the exam. Ultimately the student was very grateful, and I am so thankful that Rafiah is always gracious and accommodating.

Dr. Deborah Paine, Education

Dr. Paine provided me with excellent assistance and guidance with reviewing my transcripts and becoming a VSU student. She was kind and knowledgeable. She took the extra steps to ensure that my questions were answered and my particular case was reviewed with exceptional care. I truly appreciate the time and consideration that Dr. Paine provided. 

Grace Goehring, Computer Science

Grace Goehring helped assist me in purchasing items for my research. She went above and beyond in checking errors and issues, providing quick responses, and getting approvals. She is always considerate, efficient, and pleasant. Thank you, Grace! 

Samantha Paul, Library

I am working on my thesis for my master's, and I called Odum Library to get assistance with my research. I was trying to find something very specific with not a lot of information to search with. Samantha did not give up until I found what I needed. She was so sweet and patient. She even forwarded resources that would be beneficial! Thank you, Samantha! 

Dr. David Nelson, Communication Arts

Dave is such a caring colleague! This past year has been tough and Dave has always taken time out of his day to check in on me and other faculty. He's even talked me down from stressful situations a couple of times. Thank you, Dave! 

Dr. David Nelson, Communication Arts

Dave is such a caring colleague. He regularly stops by to check in with how I'm doing and handling stress. He offers sound advice and truly cares. Recently I've had some awful things happen and Dave took time out of his day to listen to my stress and sent me an encouraging and uplifting video to help me through things. While it seems like a small gesture, it truly meant so much to me that he cared enough to not only check-in but follow up. Dave really cares about his colleagues and it shows. 

Dr. Brian Sowa, Communication Arts

Dr. Sowa is always so friendly, nice, and caring. Every interaction I have had with him has been pleasant and uplifting. He walked from Communication Arts to the Fine Arts Building to hand-deliver a thank you card to me on Administrative Assistant's Day. After a particularly crazy month, this was an invaluable gesture. Thank you for all you do, Dr. Sowa! 

Dr. Karen Acosta, Modern & Classical Languages

I have received helpful advice from Dr. Karen Acosta many times. She is always helping others in my department with her expertise. This semester, Dr. Acosta shared with me her class, which I will be teaching for the first time online. It was extremely generous, and I am very grateful for it. Thank you for being such a great colleague, Karen! 

Dr. Alan Bernstein, Library

During the beginning of the pandemic when the VSU campus closed, Odum Library remained open for students who stayed on campus.  Dr. Alan Bernstein helped to ensure that staff and students were safely distanced and proper protocols were being followed. Many thanks to Dr. Bernstein and his leadership during this time. 

Honey Coppage, Academic Affairs

I needed to reserve multiple rooms across several locations on the main campus for a summer camp. With Honey's assistance, I was able to secure the spaces that were needed. She is always very helpful and makes every effort to accommodate my requests.

Robert Freidhoff, Student Success

I was leaving main campus when I received a call from Rob Freidhoff. He noticed something wrong with my tire. He asked me whether I was just leaving main campus and then alerted me that my tire was flat. Unbelievably, I had not even noticed the loud banging noise coming from the right back side of my car. He offered to come and look at it and change it if needed. He then followed up with me later to ensure that I was okay. Knowing that other employees have my back in this regard goes above and beyond. This kind of concern and willingness to help is the mark of a good human and totally lives out our Blazer creed. I am so appreciative that he walks the talk. 

Dr. Jamie Landau, CELT

Jamie has gone out of her way to help colleagues, assist with training, and following up on our mental health during the pandemic. Kudos! 

Mark Mears, College of Science & Mathematics

Since I began my employment with VSU, Mark has always been more than willing to assist me and provide me with training when needed.  He is a great listener, extremely patient, and extremely knowledgeable. I appreciate the time he has spent helping me develop into my new role in the Chemistry Department. 

Nicole Foster, Student Health

I want to thank Nicole and the entire Student Health Center for their support this month! The Counseling Center was impacted by COVID-19 in early March and we reached out to Nicole to see if she could help us with our phone coverage due to having less staff in the office. She and her office were so helpful and generous. We are so thankful for their teamwork, leadership, and generosity!

Nicole Foster, Student Health

Ms. Pierce and Ms. Foster have been dedicated to ensuring that the students and faculty who receive vaccinations for COVID-19 are able to come in and have a smooth process. Thank you! 

Student Health Center Staff

I want to thank the staff of the Student Health Center for all of their hard work this year with the assistance they have provided to the campus with regards to COVID-19 Reporting and now the COVID-19 vaccine. The entire staff has risen to every challenge and has excelled. Thank you all so much for your dedication to our campus community. 

Dr. Zduy Chu, Housing and Residence Life

Dr. Chu went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed to prepare for a successful Orientation. Thank you for all that you do! 

Shawn Phippen, Campus Recreation

I am a new employee at VSU, and during my interview, Shawn went out of his way to acknowledge me and thank me for being here. Just this small act impacted the rest of my day, making me feel more confident working here at VSU. Thank you for your genuine kindness and concern! 

Shawn Phippen, Campus Recreation

While attending Orientation training, I was feeling down, and Shawn was so attentive to how I felt. It completely made my day. Thank you so much. 

Graham Nguyen, Creative Services

Since we could not have an in-person ceremony, the Employee Recognition Video was produced to honor all the employees who have reached milestones with their service to VSU. It was interesting, honoring the employees, and letting the entire campus be a part of the recognition. Thank you for your great video production. 

Justin Wiese, Printing Services

Justin is always so patient and willing to go the extra mile when we need things printed (often at the last minute when events pop up).  I always hate having to ask when it’s last minute, but Justin always is so accommodating, even if it means working late or coming in on weekends. All with a sense of humor!  Thank you for your dedication, Justin. I really appreciate you. 

eLearning & CELT

To everyone in eLearning and CELT, thanks so much for your exceptional service during this past year. Even though everyone who teaches had to adopt new technologies and new strategies, you were there to lend your support, expertise, and encouragement. Thank you so much! 

Katrina Crumpton, Housing and Residence Life

Katrina went out of her way to find a student that was reported as being neglected. She provided the student with resources and gave him some needed items. The student was very grateful. 

Louise Nathan, Housing

I wanted to participate in the Scanvenger Hunt and Ms. Louise agreed to walk along with me and take my pictures. Thank you, Ms. Louise Nathan! 

Gary Morford, University Police

Officer Morford responded to a call where a student was injured. Not only did he provide exceptional care for the student, he even went well beyond his expected duty to provide both additional items and assistance. His actions demonstrate the genuine care he has and his professionalism towards keeping students safe and ensuring their well-being. As an aside, he also served in the Marines for which we salute and thank him for his service. 

Chris Smith, Parking and Transporation

Chris assists our office often when we have guests coming to campus who need a reserved space or access to the parking lots. He also helps us with parking during actual events. Many times this requires him to come in early, stay late, or work in the rain, however, he always has a smile, and is willing to help. We really appreciate him.

Robbyn DeSpain, Communications

Robbyn has been a complete gem since the day she started here at VSU. She is a joy to work with and does her job so well! We are so excited to have her as a part of our team. 

Robbyn DeSpain, Communications

Robbyn DeSpain has come on our campus and worked miracles! She has cared more about our events and making sure the word gets out than anyone else in my 30 years at VSU. She wants our events to be successful and works with us to reach out to our guests in as many ways as possible. She also helped us pull off our launch of the new Countdown to Commencement and the new Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week. Attendance has been great because she made sure everyone knew about the events taking place. She has informed more graduates or faculty/staff about these events than has ever been done in VSU history. Robbyn and her team get it, and they understand the importance of communication. Thank you Robbyn for all of your hard work and dedication to Event Services and Valdosta State!

Wade Bugby, IT

The President's Office had candidates on campus all week and on Thursday night the TV in the Rotunda stopped working. Wade came over and stayed late to make sure it was up and running for the President's use. Thank you. 

Wade Bugby, IT

I want to let Wade know just how much I appreciate all of his help over the last year. He has been a tremendous help in resolving remote issues that allowed me to work from home during the pandemic. He even assisted me with an issue over the weekend. He is always friendly and very professional.  He also always states that "it's not a bother, he's just doing his job"!  What a wonderful asset he is to Valdosta State University. 

Steve Fesler, Plant Operations

Steve is such an important part of any art installations we do in the library or in the Copeland Museum. He hangs all our pictures.  He always measures carefully to center the pictures based on our very rough layout. It is due to him that everything looks professional and not haphazard. He came to us in early April and hung 12 pictures in our newly renovated left side of North Odum Library.  Some of the pictures were huge (around 5' x7'), and some required 3-point secure hangers which are very precise to use. Steve has been hanging art in the library for 10 years, and thanks to him, it looks beautiful. I can't stress enough how important Steve has been for art on campus. Thank you so much, Steve. 

Steve Fesler, Plant Operations

We want to thank Steve for his help with assembling a furniture item that ended up taking up many hours of his time and also for hanging numerous framed items in our office suite. We always know we can count on him to lend a helping hand when needed. 

Jeremy Hankinson, Library

Unfortunately, our old VSU mascot, Blaze the Dragon, has not been on display for several months. There were plans in place to reinstate him this Summer, as his new mannequin had just arrived. However, once we learned that specific activity for faculty/staff appreciation week included a scavenger hunt picture with "Old Blaze" it became a top priority. Thankfully, Jeremy led a team of individuals in the process of resuscitating Blaze in record time! 

Amy Chew, Library

Amy assisted me in understanding the best practices for discovering information on specific research topics. After many hours of failed searches, she took the time to help identify numerous databases and USG resources to help ensure I am successful. After spending 45 minutes with Amy, I'm more excited about starting my dissertation at VSU. #ImpactThatMatters 

Amy Chew, Library

While trying to help a local heir with a complicated estate, I needed an obscure German language publication from 1929. I did not have a complete citation, and all I could provide was a blurry, nearly unreadable picture. Professor Chew found the document in two days and got an Austrian library to send me a clean scan. Not only was a mystery solved, but a fellow Valdostan was incredibly happy. This is all because diligent people like Amy Chew always make VSU the place to work! 

Neal Culbreth, Bursary

Shortly after the campus switched to remote we learned that we needed to refund monies to students who lived on campus for Housing, Meals, and some mandatory fees. This was not an easy task from a logistics perspective.  Neal worked diligently to test the refunds and manually entered the bulk that needed processing. He also continued to come into work each day and pleaded to be added to the "essential" list so that he would be able to enter the building. After the refunds were completed, we got word that we would be responsible for distributing the federal CARES fund. Neal once again rolled up his sleeves and got to work. His hard work and dedication helped to assist our students who needed financial assistance. 

Jake Martin, COSM Advising Center

Mr. Martin goes out of his way to help me out, making sure I am on the path to graduate. He is very quick to respond to emails whenever I need something. He also sends great resources to help resolve any confusion I have about anything regarding the University. Thank you. 

Laura Carter, School of Nursing

Our Senior 2 nursing students take an exit exam at the end of their Nursing program. The instructor of the class is Sandie Delk, and the students expressed to her that they really wanted to be in the classroom for this exam even though that is not the current norm. She started searching for rooms all over campus, but none were available for the exam days. Our faculty (Laura, Mallory, and Kelly) were made aware of the situation, and they rearranged their classes to be all online that day so that the seniors could come test live. They also made themselves available to help proctor the exam along with Robin Kern. The students were so thankful, and it never would have happened without these faculty members going above and beyond. This was such exceptional care for our students, so I wanted it to be recognized! 

Sandra Delk, School of Nursing

Our Senior 2 nursing students take an exit exam at the end of their Nursing program. The instructor of the class is Sandie Delk, and the students expressed to her that they really wanted to be in the classroom for this exam even though that is not the current norm. She started searching for rooms all over campus, but none were available for the exam days. Our faculty (Laura, Mallory, and Kelly) were made aware of the situation, and they rearranged their classes to be all online that day so that the seniors could come test live. They also made themselves available to help proctor the exam along with Robin Kern. The students were so thankful, and it never would have happened without these faculty members going above and beyond. This was such exceptional care for our students, so I wanted it to be recognized! 

Robin Kern, School of Nursing

Our Senior 2 nursing students take an exit exam at the end of their Nursing program. The instructor of the class is Sandie Delk, and the students expressed to her that they really wanted to be in the classroom for this exam even though that is not the current norm. She started searching for rooms all over campus, but none were available for the exam days. Our faculty (Laura, Mallory, and Kelly) were made aware of the situation, and they rearranged their classes to be all online that day so that the seniors could come test live. They also made themselves available to help proctor the exam along with Robin Kern. The students were so thankful, and it never would have happened without these faculty members going above and beyond. This was such exceptional care for our students, so I wanted it to be recognized! 

Robin Kern, School of Nursing

During the passing of my father, Robin took over all of the duties for my class so that I could focus on my grief and taking care of my family. She truly exhibited the Blazer Creed and showed true friendship during my loss. I could not have made it without her support. Thank you. 

Mallory Lane, School of Nursing

Our Senior 2 nursing students take an exit exam at the end of their Nursing program. The instructor of the class is Sandie Delk, and the students expressed to her that they really wanted to be in the classroom for this exam even though that is not the current norm. She started searching for rooms all over campus, but none were available for the exam days. Our faculty (Laura, Mallory, and Kelly) were made aware of the situation, and they rearranged their classes to be all online that day so that the seniors could come test live. They also made themselves available to help proctor the exam along with Robin Kern. The students were so thankful, and it never would have happened without these faculty members going above and beyond. This was such exceptional care for our students, so I wanted it to be recognized! 

Kelly Lowery, School of Nursing

Our Senior 2 nursing students take an exit exam at the end of their Nursing program. The instructor of the class is Sandie Delk, and the students expressed to her that they really wanted to be in the classroom for this exam even though that is not the current norm. She started searching for rooms all over campus, but none were available for the exam days. Our faculty (Laura, Mallory, and Kelly) were made aware of the situation, and they rearranged their classes to be all online that day so that the seniors could come test live. They also made themselves available to help proctor the exam along with Robin Kern. The students were so thankful, and it never would have happened without these faculty members going above and beyond. This was such exceptional care for our students, so I wanted it to be recognized! 

Ben Graham, University Police

I had a flat tire and Officer Graham came out to assist me. After realizing it wasn't possible to remove the tire with the tools in my car, Officer Graham walked with me to a nearby station to see if they could help. He walked back to my car with me and also followed me to the station. He then stood by and waited while my tire was changed. He really went above and beyond and I can't thank him enough. I'm incredibly grateful. 

Britt Bugby, eLearning

I copied a folder in BlazeVIEW and two assignments submitted by students the night before disappeared. I reached out to Britt for help, and she went above and beyond to figure out the issue and help me solve it with the help of ITS. It saved me and the students a lot of time and headaches! 

Chelsie Powell, Center for eLearning

I had to be out of the office unexpectedly for a couple of days and Chelsie went way above and beyond to cover during my absence. Not only did she take on extra calls, emails, and helpdesk tickets, but she also willingly took on the student tips video that had to be published the following Monday. More importantly than the work, Chelsie messaged me and immediately asked how she could help. She updated me throughout with how things were going and sent positive messages and well-wishes that brightened my day when I really needed it. Chelsie is truly representative of what it means to be a Blazer. 

Daniel Smith, eLearning

Danny is just the best. I needed several links converted this week so I could share them with others. He jumped in and got everything fixed, even anticipating what needed to be fixed next. It's such a comfort to know Danny is on the job and so cheerful and quick in helping us get done, what we need to get done, particularly to help our students. 

Todd Howard, Physical Plant - Landscape and Grounds

We had candidates on campus all last week. Todd came over and made sure our golf cart was clean and ready to go for the campus tours. He always has a smile and a great attitude when asked to help. Thank you so much! 

Douglas Parker, Physical Plant - Landscape and Grounds

We had candidates on campus all last week. Doug came over and made sure our golf cart was clean and ready to go for the campus tours and came back that afternoon and helped us get the cover back on it. He always has a smile and a great attitude when asked to help. Thank you so much! 

Cecilia Pierce, Student Health

Ms. Pierce and Ms. Foster have been dedicated to ensuring that the students and faculty who receive vaccinations for COVID-19 are able to come in and have a smooth process. 

Carl Brown, IT

Carl came over at the very end of the day to assist with One Drive issues. He stayed late with no complaints and returned the following day to ensure all was working properly. Every encounter I have had with him has always been pleasant. Carl is definitely an asset to the IT department and VSU. 

Lynn McQuain, Campus Services

I misplaced my computer and the lovely custodians helped me locate it. They helped me search the Bailey Science Center. They saved my mental health! Also, they have provided great service to the Valdosta State community! 

Ron Butler, Campus Mail

Mr. Ron has been so lovely during the transitions we've been through over this past year! He and the campus mail team have continued to be flexible and communicative with us to ensure the safe and timely delivery of our mail and packages to the appropriate people. Thanks to the whole campus mail team for making sure we received all our materials and mail during such hectic times! 

Ramona Wing, Campus Services

Mona has been instrumental in organizing and implanting the cleaning and sterilization of the entire campus. She is an extremely hard worker. 

Plant Operations

I would like to recognize the entire department of Plant Operations. They go above and beyond making the campus look and feel as wonderful as it does. No matter how crazy or last-minute the request can be, it has always been a joy working with this department because each of them is dedicated to keeping up the standard that we all have set for VSU. 

Annjannette Atkins, Communications

We were attempting to finalize an HTML template design and had problems with the CSS code. We reached out to Anjie, and she graciously set aside time in her busy schedule to troubleshoot and come up with a solution. Thanks to her support, we completed the design before the deadline. I am so grateful to Anjie for her expertise and willingness to help. She is a tremendous asset to VSU! 

Annjannette Atkins, Communications

Anjie has done an awesome job with the new design of the Commencement webpage! The difference is unbelievable and I am so proud of the good information displayed in a clear and precise manner for our graduates. I know we asked for a lot and she was so patient with us designing it perfectly, thank you so much! 

Annjannette Atkins, Communications

Anjie has been so helpful in updating the Commencement website to include more organized, interesting, communications for our graduates, faculty, staff, and guests. Our site looks 100% better, the graphics and the information have been tremendous in introducing our new Countdown to Commencement for graduates and setting up a new page for Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week. In the past, these things would have taken a year, or probably not at all. Thank you Anjie for your patience and hard work in promoting good things happening at VSU! 

Taylor Powell, Communications

Taylor has always been good, but my recent involvement with her launching our new Countdown to Commencement,  and new Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week has been fabulous. Taylor understands the importance of communication  Our social media and marketing team has taken VSU to a new level of communication.  She has great ideas to try something different that has never been done. Such a breath of fresh air for our campus! Thank you Taylor for being an awesome team member and helping what we do in Event Services be noticed! 

Marsha Walden, COHUSS Advising Center

Marsha Walden has encouraged me to continue my education as a late-in-life student. She has constantly kept a close eye on my progress and success in the University. She always made the time to listen and was very instrumental in beginning the process of applying to Grad school. Her welcoming disposition and willingness to lend an ear even if it was not school-related made me feel as though my success was important to her. I am very thankful that she was the first point of contact for me at VSU. It is my hope that she receives in her life as much as she has given. 

Student Union Student Workers

The student staff of the Student Union has worked hard every day to keep the Union safe for our campus community. From sanitizing the facility to making sure everyone has a mask, they have gone above and beyond their "normal" job duties and have taken their new responsibilities seriously and always in a good-natured approach. Thank all of you for your hard work and dedication! 

Anna Katherine Goodin, Event Services

Anna Katherine is a student employee in our Event Services department. Last week when we were setting up to host the NCAA Regional Basketball tournament, along with several other events, she really stepped up.  She worked alongside us with every aspect of the setup.  She stayed late several days, even on Friday.  She was here with me until after 4 pm putting the finishing touches at The Complex.  I am very appreciative of all her hard work and the strong work ethic she demonstrated.  She went above and beyond her normal duties with a positive attitude all week.  Thank you, AK! 

McKenzie Hart, VPFA & Budgeting Services

McKenzie has always responded to my calls and emails regarding the financials in an extremely professional and timely matter.  I appreciate her time and efforts in helping me develop into my administrative role in the Chemistry Department. Thank you for all of your assistance! 

Jenny White, VPFA & Budgeting Services

Jenny is an amazing person that goes above and beyond.  I've called her on many occasions needing assistance.  No matter what time of day, she will always give you her undivided attention. 

Lynn Darsey, Auxiliary Services 

Lynn has been so helpful in assisting with preparation for our week-long Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week. She has gone above and beyond, planning and helping during the week at appreciation events. I greatly appreciate that I can always count on her to lend a helping hand, even if it's not necessarily her job. She is definitely an asset to VSU. 

Hazel McCoggle, Campus Recreation

Hazel has been a force of nature battling potential COVID-19 from impacting students at the Student Rec Center. She has designed new cleaning protocols to disinfect every touchable element of the entire SRC. She continues to educate everyone on what they can do to help prevent the spread, all while maintaining a wonderfully cheerful attitude. She is a joy to work with and a positive influence on all around her. 

Hazel McCoggle, Campus Recreation

Hazel continues to work to keep people safe from COVID-19. She works with her team to keep the SRC and all areas of Campus Recreation clean. She reminds members to keep their masks on and to social distance. She has been a positive role model to help us all in this time. Thank you, Hazel! 

Mallory Lane, School of Nursing

I was in the middle of simulation when I received a call that my father was not doing well. I sent a text to Mallory. She immediately arrived and finished the simulation so that the students would not have to make the day up. During the passing of my father, Mallory completely took over simulation and managing the labs. Mallory was truly a Godsend and allowed me the time to be with my father during his illness and passing. 

Dominique Adkins, IT

We asked Dominique to try to make something happen on MyVSU that had not been done before, and instead of saying we can’t do that, he tried our crazy idea and made it work! Thank you so much, Dominique. Employees like you with a "can do" attitude help make VSU better every day. 

Yvonne Landers, VPFA & Budgeting Services

Yvonne's assistance in helping me with budgets and payroll was incredible. She is always extremely helpful and pleasant to work with. 

Shannon McGee, Auxillary Services

Shannon has been so helpful in assisting with preparation for our week-long Faculty & Staff Appreciation Week. She has gone above and beyond with planning and helping at appreciation events. I greatly appreciate that I can always count on her to lend a helping hand, even if it's not necessarily her job. She is definitely an asset to VSU. 

Brittany Aikens, Student Affairs

The Counseling Center was impacted by COVID-19 early in March. We realized there would be a significant challenge with having someone available to answer the phones and schedule appointments due to a decreased staff in the office. Brittany works downstairs in the Student Health Center and when we reached out for help she saved the day! She learned our system on the fly and took great care of our students. We're so appreciative of her and the entire Student Health Center for their support that week! 

Carla Jordan, Career Opportunities

Carla always has a smile on her face, a positive demeanor, has a great Blazer spirit, and always looking out for our student’s best interests. Thank you for being such a great Blazer! 

Joe Ritter, Plant Operations

Joe has been such a great addition to our campus. Since his arrival, he has provided such great support for Event Services. He is always positive, professional, and willing to help! Thank you, Joe! 

Jeff Grant, Creative Services

Jeff, thank you for your patience with our last-minute requests and for offering suggestions for the best products for our needed use. Your knowledge and professionalism make my job so much easier. Thank you for all your help throughout the years! 

Shauna Branch, Student Success

Shauna always has the most positive and professional demeanor that is contagious. She is always willing to help with our events and we love having her be the first face our guests see. Thank you for being such a great representative of VSU! 

Rebecca Taylor, Testing

Anytime I ask Rebecca if she can help with an event, the answer is always yes. Rebecca’s dedication to our student organizations is tremendous. Her involvement is truly remarkable. Thank you so much for your support of VSU throughout the years! 

Matt Malone, University Advancement

Thank you for hosting the Faculty & Staff Appreciation Trivia this week. It was such a fun event and we truly appreciate you taking time out of your evening to time do this! You are always so willing to help whenever we call, true Blazer through and through! 

Quinncy Thomas, IT

Quinncy and his team have been so wonderful to work with. “Can’t do it” is not in his vocabulary. He is always professional, dependable, and friendly. We are so fortunate to have him at VSU. Thank you for always being there for events! 

Sage Merwin, Event Services

The staff of the Office of Event Services put a significant amount of time and effort into planning and executing Employee Appreciation Week! They did this at a time of the year when they are all also heavily involved in planning and executing Spring Commencement! They have come in early and stayed late for several weeks to ensure that our employees and our graduates have stellar events! Well done, Event Services! 

Leah Robinson, Event Services

The staff of the Office of Event Services put a significant amount of time and effort into planning and executing Employee Appreciation Week! They did this at a time of the year when they are all also heavily involved in planning and executing Spring Commencement! They have come in early and stayed late for several weeks to ensure that our employees and our graduates have stellar events! Well done, Event Services! 

Amanda Hoch, Event Services

The staff of the Office of Event Services put a significant amount of time and effort into planning and executing Employee Appreciation Week! They did this at a time of the year when they are all also heavily involved in planning and executing Spring Commencement! They have come in early and stayed late for several weeks to ensure that our employees and our graduates have stellar events! Well done, Event Services! 

Sydney Land, Event Services

The staff of the Office of Event Services put a significant amount of time and effort into planning and executing Employee Appreciation Week! They did this at a time of the year when they are all also heavily involved in planning and executing Spring Commencement! They have come in early and stayed late for several weeks to ensure that our employees and our graduates have stellar events! Well done, Event Services! 

Dr. Theodore Uyeno, Biology

Dr. Uyeno helped me in every way to pass his class when I had some hard personal life struggles. He is a great professor and looks out for his students.

Amanda Williams, Campus Mail

Amanda went out of her way to help me track down some packages that were needed for an event the same day.  She called to update me each time she received new information. She was extremely helpful, kind, and provided exceptional customer service. Thank you!

Karen Shepard, Office of the Registrar

Karen has been very helpful. I appreciate her assistance in the GOML-OTE course scheduling and registration. She resolved the problems in an efficient way when I needed help.

Joel Dion, New Media Center

I just wanted to say thank you to Joel Dion.  I turned in a borrowed laptop on Monday and wasn't aware that I left the USB on the computer. Joel went out of his way to bring it to me at the Financial Aid Office and it is greatly appreciated.

Julia Stokes, COEHS

Many thanks to Ms. Julia Stokes for being present for our graduates during a hectic week, and also for our students during the past year.  Your kind presence, competence, and willingness make such a positive difference in our department. Thank you!

Douglas Carlson, Archives

Thank you for the quick response to my obit request!

Sandra Barrios, VPFA & Budgeting Services

Sandra Barrios deserves much praise and acknowledgment. My department manages over 200 student employees and often there is confusion over a timesheet, hours, or profiles. It gets confusing and she is always just a call away. Anytime I need assistance she is there. She was such a big help this weekend when it turned out so many staff members input hours after my approval/time entry. Sandra, thank you for all you do and for being one of my favorite campus partners to work with. I am forever grateful.

Stanley Jones, Registrar

Stanley Jones regularly goes above and beyond to help faculty, staff, and students. Mr. Jones made sure that another student was dropped for classes when the student was not able to take care of matters himself. He is always proactive about working to ensure faculty report grades in a timely manner, and he sacrifices his own time to help those faculty who struggle with Banner. He is always caring, professional, and responsible; a credit to VSU.

Daire Salgado, IT

Daire took time to design a program for me to follow. She worked on it until she accomplished exactly what I needed. She made it possible for my work to be on time.  Thank you for the wonderful service.

Michele Blankenship, School of Nursing

Michele Blankenship always does a fantastic job setting up the lab and organizing simulation activities. She went above and beyond when, on a moment's notice, she stepped in to cover for a lab instructor who was absent. She did such an amazing job demonstrating skills and answering student questions. I am grateful to work with someone who is so supportive, hard-working, and dedicated to teaching. Thanks, Michele!

Sheree Hudson, Office of Professional Education Services

I requested help from Ms. Clayton Hudson for an issue with an out-of-state temporary teaching permit. The request turned into multiple requests. Ms. Clayton Hudson was professional and completed the requests in an extremely expeditious manner. She was also so kind. Online communication or requests can be time-consuming, especially when there are multiple requests. She was both professional and patient.

Joel Dion, New Media Center

Joel came to the rescue today! He brought a PA system that was urgently needed for a guest performer. Without his help, we would not have made such a good impression.

Honey Coppage, Academic Affairs

Honey went above and beyond, as she always does, to help me when I needed kindness the most. During my ten years here, I have always found her to be cheerful and willing to go out of her way to help in any way. I so very much appreciate her. She truly is an asset to VSU. Thank you, Honey!

Cole Griner, IT

Cole went above and beyond to help me locate a schedule of classes online!

Jennifer Griffin, Bursary

Jennifer went above and beyond to help me with year-end reconciling associated with student health insurance. She patiently helped me understand and create reports that I didn't know I could run. I cannot put into words how awesome and relieving it was to have her help.

Cory Brown, IT

Thursday, June 24 was an extremely busy day. The Brooks County Echoes Program was scheduled to visit Valdosta State University, with a whole day scheduled around campus and ending with a tour of the Copeland African American Museum. That evening we hosted the first advisory board meeting for the museum. Cory provided much-needed help throughout the week including assistance with getting the tables and chairs set up in the meeting space, supplying and setting up all IT needs for the meeting. He provided me with updates throughout the evening, paid attention to detail, maintained attention to the quality of the event, and stayed afterward to help me clean up. Cory demonstrated what it means to be a Blazer and I want everyone to know I caught him caring. That is just what he does! Thank you, Cory!

Adrian Taylor, IT

Adrian Taylor, Sarah Bring, and Alfred Stanley IT are just a few of the top-notch individuals dedicated to helping our faculty, staff, and students. Adrian Taylor assists the CoA with comprehensive computer lab planning, equipment improvements, and technical diagnostics. Adrian, Sarah, and Alfred work closely with our department heads and faculty members to iron out complex software configurations and assist us so that we can be proactive rather than reactive. In May and June, our Apple labs were reconfigured, upgraded, and reimaged. This was done all in time for Summer Session II courses without a hitch. Thank you, Adrian, Sarah, Alfred, and the entire IT Division!

Sarah Bring, IT

Adrian Taylor, Sarah Bring, and Alfred Stanley IT are just a few of the top-notch individuals dedicated to helping our faculty, staff, and students. Adrian, Sarah, and Alfred work closely with our department heads and faculty members to iron out complex software configurations and assist us so that we can be proactive rather than reactive. In May and June, our Apple labs were reconfigured, upgraded, and reimaged. This was done all in time for Summer Session II courses without a hitch. Thank you, Adrian, Sarah, Alfred, and the entire IT Division!

Alfred Stanley, IT

Adrian Taylor, Sarah Bring, and Alfred Stanley IT are just a few of the top-notch individuals dedicated to helping our faculty, staff, and students. Adrian, Sarah, and Alfred work closely with our department heads and faculty members to iron out complex software configurations and assist us so that we can be proactive rather than reactive. In May and June, our Apple labs were reconfigured, upgraded, and reimaged. This was done all in time for Summer Session II courses without a hitch. Thank you, Adrian, Sarah, Alfred, and the entire IT Division!

Heather Craft, Office of Accounting and Procurement

A big shout out from the CoA to thank Heather Craft, Shawn Gibbons, and Cayla Rogers in Finance and Administration/Procurement for their hard work and extra effort to assist us with several special purchasing projects. This is an incredible amount of detailed work, made even more stressful by the looming fiscal year deadlines. Thank you to the amazing staff in Financial Services for all they do not only for us in the CoA, but for the entire campus. These projects may start out as numbers on a spreadsheet however, in the days and weeks ahead, they will translate into significant improvements throughout our campus facilities. Their dedication and hard work will impact our current and future faculty, students, staff, and community patrons. For that, we are very grateful. Thank you again, Heather, Shawn, and Cayla.

Shawn Gibbons, IT

A big shout out from the CoA to thank Heather Craft, Shawn Gibbons, and Cayla Rogers in Finance and Administration/Procurement for their hard work and extra effort to assist us with several special purchasing projects. This is an incredible amount of detailed work, made even more stressful by the looming fiscal year deadlines. Thank you to the amazing staff in Financial Services for all they do not only for us in the CoA, but for the entire campus. These projects may start out as numbers on a spreadsheet however, in the days and weeks ahead, they will translate into significant improvements throughout our campus facilities. Their dedication and hard work will impact our current and future faculty, students, staff, and community patrons. For that, we are very grateful. Thank you again, Heather, Shawn, and Cayla.

Cayla Rogers, Office of Accounting and Procurement

A big shout out from the CoA to thank Heather Craft, Shawn Gibbons, and Cayla Rogers in Finance and Administration/Procurement for their hard work and extra effort to assist us with several special purchasing projects. This is an incredible amount of detailed work, made even more stressful by the looming fiscal year deadlines. Thank you to the amazing staff in Financial Services for all they do not only for us in the CoA, but for the entire campus. These projects may start out as numbers on a spreadsheet however, in the days and weeks ahead, they will translate into significant improvements throughout our campus facilities. Their dedication and hard work will impact our current and future faculty, students, staff, and community patrons. For that, we are very grateful. Thank you again, Heather, Shawn, and Cayla.

April Jankowski, COHUSS Advising

April Jankowski goes above and beyond as an advisor by guiding students for the classes that are needed and providing additional resources to help them be successful at Valdosta State University. In one particular instance, April reached out to the CAMP program at VSU to refer a student who she identified as being a qualifying applicant for the program. This allowed CAMP to connect with the student and to begin helping her with the transition process from high school to higher education. Thank you, April! 

Britt Bugby, eLearning

Mrs. Bugby was a huge asset in developing PSYC 3110 for the eDegree program. She gave great advice about how to adjust discussions and activities to make them more engaging for students. She gave lots of ideas and examples for creating high quality rubrics and assessments. She does a great job of providing instructional design and technology information. Thank you again for the help! 

Douglas Carlson, Archives

Douglas took my request for a copy of my Master’s thesis and explained exactly how I could get a bound copy. He also explained how to pay and provided links. He followed through with various departments. 

Shawn Gibbons, IT

As a member of the Information Technology Procurement team, Shawn has played a vital role in the deployment of new technologies to support the university's mission. Her expertise in the field, attention to detail, and ability to manage and prioritize numerous needs is stellar. On top of this, she is a proactive communicator, ensuring that we can easily keep track of the status of our orders. This has played no small role in IT’s ability to keep pace with all the new technology needs throughout the challenges of the past year. Thank you, Shawn! We appreciate everything you do for both us and the campus!

Darli Devane, Housing and Residence Life

I was getting concerned about not having a room assignment. Darli took care of me and helped me out right away.

Tracey Williams, Campus Services

Mrs. Williams is a friendly and polite custodian. She keeps our workspace clean and stocked so we can focus on our cataloging projects instead of worrying about housekeeping. She promptly responds to our requests with a smile. Recently, she proved her dedication to her work when she paused the task at hand to grab us paper towels. We appreciate her dedication and willingness to assist us.

Rebecca Petrella, Graduate Studies and Research

I called the office inquiring about the steps to adding the gifted endorsement to my certificate because I finished all the required courses in the Spring. Rebecca cared enough to ensure I had everything I needed and made sure I had the necessary tools to complete the paperwork. She even answered some questions related to other graduate programs I have been looking into. Rebecca is an amazing asset to the Graduate Admissions department.

Ebony Simon, Bursary

Ebony was very patient and listened to my issue. She let me know which steps to take and what to do next. She was nothing short of exemplary and did a marvelous job. I was a bit panicked initially, but her calm and professional demeanor really helped me. She was passionate about helping.

John Storrings, Plant - Building Maintenance

When the AC units were not functioning and we had summer camps for young children on the 1st floor of the building and meetings on the 2nd floor, it was vital to get the AC running. Dustin and John were extremely professional, quickly diagnosed the issues, made return trips with parts, and had everything functioning normally as quickly as possible. They really saved the day.

Dustin Williams, Plant - Building Maintenance

When the AC units were not functioning and we had summer camps for young children on the 1st floor of the building and meetings on the 2nd floor, it was vital to get the AC running. Dustin and John were extremely professional, quickly diagnosed the issues, made return trips with parts, and had everything functioning normally as quickly as possible. They really saved the day.

Sandra Barrios, VPFA & Budgeting Services

Sandra Barrios has helped me resolve issues with payroll time and time again. She has gone out of her way to make sure that any errors that she catches in time are resolved in a professional and timely manner. Sandra truly upholds the values and mission of Valdosta State University. Thank you for your help!

Ashley Thinnifel, Office of Orientation

Ashley, who also is an orientation leader, volunteered to assist the College of Business with our Business presentation to the Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy at VSU. She assisted with teambuilders, judging our “Create a Business” contest, getting prizes, and making sure the museum would be open. She was very helpful and I was very grateful for her assistance.

Deacon Hudson, LCOBA Advising Center

The Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy at VSU assisted me with teambuilding, prizes, and judging the “Create a Business” competition. Mr. Hudson came and assisted with making calls from the office for me. He agreed to help after I asked for assistance at the last minute.

Mary Ann Hickman, LCOBA Advising Center

The Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy at VSU assisted me with teambuilding, prizes, and judging the “Create a Business” competition. Ms. Hickman made calls for me to help with setup and bought t-shirts for prizes. She agreed to help after I asked for assistance at the last minute.  

Matthew McIntyre, LCOBA Advising Center

The Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy at VSU assisted me with teambuilding, prizes, and judging the “Create a Business” competition. Mr. McIntyre agreed to help after I asked for assistance at the last minute.

Darli Devane, Housing and Residence Life

Darli Devane went out of her way to arrange me and my best friend to make sure me and my best friend got to dorm together even though we were originally placed in different halls. She took the time to help us and make our upcoming time at VSU perfect. She deserves recognition, and I am very thankful!

Cliff Giddens, IT

Cliff saved me a tremendous amount of work by restoring an Excel spreadsheet that I had mistakenly saved over. I emailed him at 7 pm Monday and he had it restored the next morning before I was even in the office. His quick response saved me a lot of stress and anxiety over having to re-create this document. Thank you!

Britt Piper, COHNEX Advising Center

She went above and beyond to make sure I understood everything. Britt sent me links to different websites I needed, and she answered my questions to the fullest. I can tell she absolutely loves her job and students!

Annjannette Atkins, Communications

Anjie was very helpful with setting up a calendar feed for the digital signage in the Student Union. It is greatly appreciated!

Linda Reinhard, University Advancement

Linda has been incredible to work with when awarding scholarships for our students. I sent her a long list of students that needed to be awarded and she got it done quickly so the students would have the funding in time for the fee payment deadline. Thank you, Linda!

Neal Culbreth, Bursary

I've been working with Neal on awarding our scholarship students. We introduced a new process into the awarding procedure. Neal was very flexible, efficient, and understanding with the new process. Thanks, Neal!

Steve Fesler, Plant Operations

Steve came and created a beautiful gallery for us.  He rehung and expanded the gallery we had done in April. It looks great and is ready for the students in the Fall. We appreciate him working with us when we changed our mind about what went where. He listened and his careful measuring and centering made the whole thing look professional. The renovated area, which had looked so utilitarian, now looks all tied together. We're proud of it and loved working with Steve.

Britt Bugby, eLearning

Britt is my go-to person for Blazeview issues in designing classes. I revised two classes this summer, and she walked me through gradebook issues, adding content, and many more issues. She fixed things when I had made them weird. She is always cheerful, fun, and helpful when I call.  Britt is my partner in teaching and makes sure things go well.

Carl Brown, IT

Thank you, Mr. Carl, for going the extra mile to help us with our computer at the Hopper Hall student mail center. Thank you for the excellent customer service!

Christopher Allen, IT

Christopher Allen was able to resolve an issue I had today with my computer. I had the paint crew come in today to paint my office. With all the furniture and wires moving around something happened where I couldn't work remotely from a different desktop. He was able to get his team out and have it resolved quickly. Thank you so much!

Blake Foster, Plant - Building Maintenance

Blake and Tracy's technique for painting is amazing! They transformed the office with such beautiful colors. Thank you all for making our week!

Tracy Stanton, Plant - Building Maintenance

April Jankowski goes above and beyond as an advisor by guiding students for the classes that are needed and providing additional resources to help them be successful at Valdosta State University. In one particular instance, April reached out to the CAMP program at VSU to refer a student who she identified as being a qualifying applicant for the program. This allowed CAMP to connect with the student and to begin helping her with the transition process from high school to higher education. Thank you, April! 

Marley Holcomb, Human Resources

I contacted HR at 1:30 pm on Friday seeking to get a YMCA membership that day. I really didn't think it would happen, but at least I could start the process. The person who handles YMCA memberships was out. I asked if there was anyone else who could help me. They put me through to Marley. Within minutes she emailed me the forms. I got them back to her shortly after. She was very helpful, patient, and friendly in helping me understand how it works. Then she sent a form to the YMCA. By 4 pm I had a YMCA membership card in my hand!

Dr. Karen Acosta, Modern & Classical Languages

Dr. Acosta is such a wonderful colleague! She has been so helpful as I have redesigned some of my courses. She is always so generous with her time and willing to share resources. She went above and beyond to send materials, screenshots, and other things to help me get started with one particular initiative. I appreciate how dedicated she is to our department and the students in our classes!

Brian Anderson, IT

I wanted to express my appreciation for Brian Anderson and his help in setting up for the reception focused on unveiling the Eileen Cox Langdale FinTech Classroom. His support was imperative, and I greatly appreciate his dedication to our college. Thank you, Brian!

Annjannette Atkins, Communications

Thanks to Anjie's availability and quick response, our department was able to display information quickly to our students.  Thank you!

Wesley Babcock, IT

Dr. Mark Smith, Assoc. Dean for HSS, was having an IT issue that wouldn't go away, even when a work order was sent. Wes took the time to call our office, and speak to Dr. Smith to resolve a computer glitch. Thank You, Wes, for fixing the problem for us. Your help is always greatly appreciated!

Wesley Babcock, IT

Wes is the most fantastic person, and he is so willing to help no matter what my technical issues may be. He has saved the day for me more times than I can count! I want him to know that he is greatly appreciated, and I thank him tremendously for being so dependable and excellent at his job!

Carolyn Berrian, Parking and Transportation

On the evening of August 17th, while working as a dispatcher for University Police I received a call from Carolyn Berrain, a shuttle bus driver for Parking and Transportation. She was concerned that the lighting in the area of Carter Drive, near the bus stop, was not working and represented a danger to the VSU Community. Due to her report, I was able to work with Plant Operations and restore the lighting in this area. This is not the first time Carolyn has called University Police to report hazards and safety issues, and her concern for the University Community should be commended.

Catherine Bowers, Library

After a month and a half of planning, Odum Library hosted a trivia night for Fall Explosion. Catherine helped create Sports questions, discussed the logistics of the event, and volunteered for the event itself. Catherine’s assistance was very much appreciated, and she contributed to making our event a success!  Thank you, Catherine!

Carlotta Braswell, Academic Affairs

Carlotta has gone above and beyond to assist me during my time of learning as a new employee. Any time I've had a question I've been able to call, or email, her and get immediate help. Not only has she helped answer my questions or concerns over email, but she has also helped me navigate through various systems and processes that are new to me. On the rare occasion that she is unfamiliar with how to answer a question I may have had, she always finds a way to get me the answer, even if it means learning with me. Thank you, Carlotta!

Ashley Braswell, LCOBA

I have the privilege of working with Ashley Braswell to help promote the faculty, staff, and students of VSU's Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration all year long. She genuinely cares about this university and is truly dedicated to the work that she does every day. She is a positive role model to the students who are fortunate to work with her. She is kind, and she is patient. The world needs more people like Ashley.

Nijah Bryant, Institutional Research

Every semester I call on Nijah Bryant to help me make sure our students receive hometown recognition for earning a spot on the Dean's List or graduating. I can always count on her to get me exactly what I need to prepare these press releases for distribution across the country. She has an incredible work ethic, and I like knowing that I can depend on her, and trust her. That makes my job a whole lot easier throughout the year.

Wade Bugby, IT

Wade Bugby has been incredible to work with when I’ve had computer problems. Not only did he fixed my computer software, and update issues, he also personally delivered the computer back to my office after the work was done. I am truly grateful for his wonderful help. Thank you, Wade!

Britt Bugby, eLearning

On Thursday, September 2, I went to the Help Desk in the library for help, but there was no one to attend to me. My daughter and I stumbled into the eLearning center to ask for help. When I told Britt my problem she jumped right into the action. She helped install an application for me. She figured out the problem and told me what to do next. Thank you for your kindness, and care.

Samaria Bulemu, LCOBA - Dean's Office

Samaria was an integral part of the planning process for the LCOBA first-year experience.  She willingly accepted responsibilities and performed such tasks as moving t-shirts from HSBA to the SU Ballroom with minimal assistance. Thanks, Samaria for your help in welcoming the class of 2025 to VSU, and LCOBA.

Curstin Burke, IT

It is especially exciting when I have the opportunity to praise a student worker through "I Caught You Caring." Curstin Burke works in the IT Department at the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business, and she is amazing. She was unable to be with us in person on the day of our reception to unveil the Eileen Cox Langdale FinTech Classroom but was instrumental in making sure that everything worked during our presentations. She worked remotely managing all of our technology and assisting with the reception. She has been a great student worker, and I wanted to make sure that she was appropriately recognized for her dedication and efforts! Thank you, Curstin!

Dr. Rodney Carr, Student Success

While moving my daughter on Saturday, we had issues in the dorm. He took our call without hesitation and assisted with the issues while having the parties that were over housing involved in a matter of minutes. He answered every question and concern. We'd be lost without him.

Dr. Cori Crews, Accounting

Cori demonstrated how to use Intelligent Agents, which helps inform students about upcoming assignments and academic progress. Cori did a fantastic job demonstrating how to use the software; she was very engaging and helpful. Cori is a valuable member of the VSU community!

Kara Exum, Library

One of our volunteers had a sudden event come up that was going to make them late for our event. Kara immediately jumped in and was ready to volunteer with only a 30-minute notice! Last-minute changes are so stressful, but Kara’s willingness to volunteer was so very much appreciated! Thank you, Kara!

Barrie Fitzgerald, Institutional Research

Barrie Fitzgerald has provided excellent service to our department. He has provided the information necessary to plan and make timely decisions to assist students and our department. We appreciate all that he does for our students, department, and the VSU community.

Grace Goehring, Computer Science

Since I have started as an assistant in the Mathematics Department, Mrs. Grace has always gone out of her way to assist me in helping make sure that I adjust to my position. Not once has she complained about me coming to her with any questions, and she has never turned me away. She always checks on me daily and makes sure that I know the necessary tools to be successful at my job. She plays a big part in me loving to come to work every day.

Veronica Graham, Registrar's Office

Veronica provided me with exceptional help and patience by assisting me with withdrawing from a class.

Jeremy Hankinson, Library

Jeremy Hankinson has consistently gone above and beyond the functions of his responsibilities to help Odum Library prepare for Fall Semester 2021. He has, again and again, proven to be helpful to the Library Administration by bringing ideas and suggestions to improve the flow and function. He has had an impact in Library areas such as study rooms, library space utilization, technology set-up suggestions, Art Committee installations, and serves as our resident handyman. He is a joy to be around, and he is always up for trying something from a different perspective to resolve challenges. I am especially appreciative for him taking the time and initiative to ask me, “Is there anything you need me to do?”. Thank you, Jeremy, for bringing a cheerful attitude while delivering professional service!

Madeleine Hardage, IT

Maddy has always provided prompt and courteous service. She has taken care of numerous tech issues for me in the past year. She is very knowledgeable and always has a smile and a positive attitude. Thanks, Maddy for all you do for us!

Dr. Kelly Heckaman, Early Childhood and Special Education

Mrs. Heckaman has been there for me, and all of my 10,000 questions for the past 2 years as I have worked to complete my master’s program. She has answered all of my questions with very prompt responses, and if she could not fix the issue, she was always able to direct me to the correct person. Without Mrs. Heckaman, the amount of stress from teaching in real-time to Digital Learning due to COVID in addition to completing the program would have been unbearable, but she has made things easier for me, and I'm sure many other students in the program as well. Thank you for all you have done for me and all that you do for the program!

Amanda Hoch, Event Services

Amanda and her team worked for several days preparing Nevins for CPC Recruitment. She even provided additional furnishings promptly. We always appreciate the work she puts in to ensure the classrooms are set up correctly!

Amanda Hoch, Event Services

I cannot say enough about Amanda and her work ethic, and how she diligently attends to the needs of the faculty and staff at Valdosta State University. I was hosting an important event to recognize a donor and Amanda went out of her way to assist me with that event. I appreciate her so much, and I couldn't let the opportunity to recognize her go by! I must share a big thank you to her and her team for all she does for me, and this university!

Susan Jones, Plant Services

August 16th is just the most recent time that Susan has helped me out with urgent requests, or questions. She is always pleasant and helpful on the phone and very knowledgeable of the operations of the campus, and where I need to be directed to have my issue resolved. She doesn't even direct me. She takes it upon herself to get my issue resolved without sending me to another person. Susan is a breath of fresh air! Thank you for all you do!

Sydney Land, Event Services

Sydney ensured that all of the rooms were booked for CPC recruitment, and even got us a last-minute classroom while she was working on another event. Sydney provides quick and polite responses that make her a joy to work with!

Benjamin Li, IT

Ben showed up at the LCOBA First Year Student Meeting on 8/13 an hour before the start of the event. He made sure the technology was operating as expected and that all presentations were loaded to the console, and working. He stayed with us for the duration of the meeting in case we encountered any technical issues. Thanks, Ben for your exceptional service, and for leading by example.

Marlene Marlow, Campus Services

We wanted to send you a thank you for your extreme kindness. You were so warm and friendly, and you made our VSU visit such a memorable time. Thank you beyond words for showing us around VSU Fine Arts Building. It meant the world to me for my son to see my University. Many thanks for your kindness.

Mark McNalley, Housing and Residence Life

I want to personally thank Mr. McNalley for taking the time to answer the 100 questions that we had on move-in day. He was so patient and courteous in that 1,000 degree heat! It is people like him that make us proud that our son chose to attend VSU. Thank you, Mr. McNalley! You do not understand the gratitude that this mother has toward an individual who can ease the difficulty of leaving your only child away at college.

Jamiya Miles, English

Jamiya went above and beyond helping one of our Dual Enrollment students locate their classroom!

Dr. Patricia Miller, English

I am a new hire faculty. Dr. Miller went out of her way to come into my classroom and help me with the Instructor's workstation.

Crystal Miller, Library

After a month and a half of planning, Odum Library hosted a trivia night for Fall Explosion. Crystal helped create questions and plan for the event. Crystal also volunteered for the event itself! Crystal was responsible for supervising our Mystery Molecules and Word Games station and her help was integral for the success of the event! We appreciate Crystal’s time and effort! Thank you, Crystal!

Jason Mosley, Advancement Data Services

Every day I look for stories about our alumni in the news, so we can showcase their achievements with our university community through social media, the president's newsletter, the Alumni Association website, etc. I could not do that without Jason Mosley's help. I truly appreciate his patience and his willingness to help me collect information about these talented alumni. I admire his work ethic, and I like knowing I can depend on him to help me get the job done.

Becky Murphy, Health Promotions and Wellness

Becky provided training for recruitment counselors to prep for CPC Recruitment. During the training, Becky hosted a brand new program that was engaging and interactive. The students enjoyed learning from her and through the program. We're thankful to have Becky, as she is always willing to collaborate and share her knowledge with us all!

Becky Murphy, Health Promotions and Wellness

You are one of the most supportive and helpful people on campus. You do so much for VSU. Thank you for your positivity and understanding especially in such a stressful time.

Lori Overlaur, Accounting & Procurement

I would like to thank Lori for all the help she has given the Bursary during our busy time. These are just a few of the many ways she has helped us recently: She volunteered to allow her Student Assistants to work in our office while we were short-handed; She assisted students/parents/employees with making payments/deposits, and helped answer phones while our office was working remotely; She has taken our deposits to the bank daily during Fall rush; She regularly checks on us to see if we need any additional assistance. We are so thankful for Lori, and her strong team spirit! She is very much appreciated!

Hillary Perry, Honors College

Hillary goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcomed and comfortable on campus, from students to employees. She is always there to help, and it doesn't go unnoticed. Having been a student and now an employee here at VSU, Hillary has helped me navigate through the hectic times of both. I've been fortunate enough to witness the Honors Community and the welcoming family-like environment Hillary has helped to create. Being able to see her work has modeled me into a better person for my position on campus. I'm so grateful to you!

Rebecca Petrella, Graduate Studies and Research

For several days, I changed my mind several times regarding which semester I wanted to be readmitted. Ms. Petrella changed my status all of these times and was always quick with no issue whatsoever. Thank you so much for your help, Ms. Petrella! I will graduate with my doctorate much more quickly, and smoothly because of you!

Britt-Marie Piper, COHNEX Advising Center

She was excellent! She was very resourceful and went in-depth about what the classes were about, and answered all of my questions.

Britt-Marie Piper, COHNEX Advising Center

Ms. Britt helped me add a minor, and she also helped me to get put on the waitlist for a class I need to take.

Jessica Pope, Strategic Communications and Marketing

We are trying to get the word out about our "Call for Mural Proposals" for Odum Library. Jessica wrote a beautiful story about our Art-in-Odum program, and sent it out online to the website, social media site and shared it with news media. This is going to increase the reach of our Call exponentially. The Art Committee of Odum Library appreciates this. Jessica has covered both Art and the Archives public programming for years, and she goes above and beyond to get the story out.

West Rogers, IT

We had an emergency IT issue, and Weston came to our rescue. He is always so quick to respond, knowledgeable in a wide array of IT issues, and patient with my many questions. He also does it all with a smile on his face.  He is an asset to the IT department and University.

Barbara Scott, Custodial Services

Barbara provided above and beyond help in keeping the building clean and volunteering time and effort towards the success of Blazer Bag Bingo 2021.

Jennifer Shinpaugh, Housing and Residence Life

Jenni helped the College Panhellenic Council host another successful recruitment by ensuring that all of the eligible women were placed in the Living Learning Community in Georgia Hall. She does an awesome job every year working with us!

Jeff Shipley, LCOBA

I wanted to express my appreciation for Jeff Shipley, and his help in setting up for the Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation Board meeting. He was so helpful in making sure that one of the board members could attend the meeting virtually. Jeff helps so many people, and I wanted to make sure that he was recognized for his dedication to our college. Thank you so much, Jeff!

Rosemary Sirmans, Creative Services

Rosemary Sirmans is one of the most helpful people I work with at VSU. She is truly committed to helping this university and her colleagues succeed. She has a fantastic work ethic with a creative mind, and the determination, problem-solving skills, and positivity needed to overcome any obstacle that comes her way. She can always be counted on to be a loyal and dependable team player. I always look forward to working with her on projects.

Robert Taylor, Library

The Math department had boxes of books they wanted to donate to the Library. I called Robert and he came over immediately to assess what needed to be transferred to the Library. He also helped me locate the donation form on the Library's website but said I could call him anytime if I needed help. He then went back to the library to get a cart, came back to Nevins and loaded all of the very heavy boxes by himself. He went out of his way to help and was incredibly friendly throughout the process. He never made me feel that I was a bother or wasting his time.

Brea Thomas, Student Diversity and Inclusion

Brea and her team provided training for recruitment counselors to prep for CPC Recruitment. The training was engaging, thought-provoking, and prepared recruitment counselors for a variety of potential conversations. Brea's presenting style is wonderful, relatable, and informative!

Leigh Thomas, Financial Aid

Today is the deadline day when all fees are supposed to be paid and I’ve had trouble getting help with my account. I ended up speaking with Ms.Leigh who stayed on the phone with me and got to the bottom of my situation. She stayed on the phone with me until the Pell Grant was approved, and she made sure I was set for the deadline. She didn’t just pass me on, even though today was a hectic day for the office.

Sherry Turner, eLearning

Sherry, thank you for being a great mentor!  You've been a great teacher these last couple of weeks, and you're always happy to help when I have a question. You have a way of instantly making everything seem less stressful which is something I know everyone around you appreciates!

Dr. Theodore Uyeno, Biology

It's not every day we get a phone call from a member of our community asking about octopus bites. Dr. Uyeno identified the species and he provided a short, but informative, Biology lesson on venom production in octopus (the venom of the identified species is weak), climate change, and species distribution. The identified species is typically found further south but increased sea temperature may expand their range north. He also provided possible issues (not diagnoses) of inflammation due to an allergic reaction from the bite, or a bacterial infection from bacteria naturally found in a saltwater environment. Thanks, Dr. Uyeno for answering the community member's question. Octopus are cool critters!

Ramona Wing, Campus Services

Ramona provided above and beyond help in keeping the building clean and volunteering time and effort towards the success of Blazer Bag Bingo 2021.

Holly Wright, Counseling Center

Holly provided training for the recruitment counselors to prep for CPC Recruitment. Holly's session is always a fan favorite and never misses the mark. She provides relatable content and valuable skills. We are so thankful for her commitment to students, VSU, and Greek life!

Laura Wright, Library

Volunteers are essential for events. Laura is always one of the first people to volunteer, and her contributions are invaluable. In particular, Laura volunteered to help at our trivia night. Her assistance grading and counting hundreds of answers were needed, and appreciated! Thank you, Laura!

David Starling, ELI

David Starling goes above and beyond to keep the English Language Institute going and to help students in any way possible. Especially when the department is understaffed, he pours an extraordinary amount of time and effort into the program and the students attending. This effort is in addition to the main classes he already teaches. I want to recognize him for all the hard work he does for the university.

John Hall, IT

I have several students who needed remote access to software and John was able to locate those work orders and give me the status. He then went a step further to explain the lab situation and the steps students would have to follow.  He also sent an email with the details of what they needed to do. I have had the pleasure of having John assist me several times on different issues and each time he has provided superior customer service and always has a great attitude!  My students now have access to the software and that leads to their success. Thank you, John!

Dallas Suttles, Archives

My husband, Nathan Cronic, was recruited by Coach Hal Mumme and eventually started as QB for Coach Kelly during the 1999 VSU football season. He recently submitted a request to the VSU Archives Dept. for tapes/DVDs of his 1999 games thinking it was a long shot. Within two weeks, we received an email from Dallas Suttles with a link to every game from the 1999 season. That is incredible service! Mr. Suttles has made it possible for our three sons to watch their father’s VSU games. What a wonderful difference he’s made in our lives. We wanted to thank him and brag on him!

Daniel Smith, eLearning

Daniel was kind, helpful, and quick to respond to all my questions. Because of his knowledge and willingness to help, we were able to come up with a creative solution for correctly setting up a huge group of Kaltura videos for a department using advanced tools in a way I'd have never thought of or been able to do on my own. Thank you for being Mr. Fix-it and being willing to share your genius!

Sgt. Michael Blanton, University Police

Shortly after arriving on campus Saturday morning, I locked my car keys, phone, and purse in my car. I had borrowed a phone and tried to call for a backup key, with no success.  Sgt. Blanton drove by as I was sitting on a bench alongside the Nevins parking lot. He stopped to ask if I needed help and then lent me his phone to place another call. Since there was no pickup this time either, he suggested calling back immediately to try to get the recipient's attention. That time it worked, and the spare key was delivered within the hour.  I greatly appreciated how polite and personable Sgt. Blanton was with his offer to help.

Lynette Hepburn-Richardson, Career Opportunities

Lynette was in the middle of a career counseling session with a student. While in the middle of the visit, the student told Lynette she was hungry and didn't have any food or groceries. Lynette gave the student all of the food from the office refrigerator that she had set aside for this week's lunch. She also accompanied the student to the BP&C and allowed her to take anything she need. Thank you, Lynette, for being generous and always caring for the students!

Britt-Marie Piper, COHNEX Advising Center

Mrs. Piper was quick to help and offer me guidance when I was panicking about not being able to get in contact with my temporary advisor. I am supposed to graduate this semester and she accepted to help me. She made sure I was ready to rock and roll in December. Anyone who can take the time out their day to make sure someone is okay, especially when it is not their responsibility, definitely deserves to be rewarded.

Lee Yarbrough, Counseling Center

Lee went above and beyond when collaborating with me on multiple tasks. She was able to efficiently plan and provide me assistance when completing the task. As we both were working on the same tasks her strategizing efforts were very appreciative and helped us complete the tasks in a timely manner. I can always count on Lee and I am proud to be working with her.

Madeleine Hardage, IT

Madeleine was very nice and helpful when I encountered problems with using the equipment in different classrooms. She kindly helped me to adjust the equipment for my classroom. She also helped me to add the software that I need for my classes to all the computers in the FinTech room. My students can now have a great learning experience from the courses I am teaching. Thank you very much, Madeleine!

Jeff Shipley, LCOBA

As a new faculty member at VSU, I have received a lot of help from Jeff in the past weeks. He helped me with equipment settings, and he also helped me to install the software that my students and I need on all the computers in the computer lab. My students now have access to the software in a more flexible daily schedule and have a better study experience at VSU, which is very important for both their academic life and future career. Thank you very much, Jeff!

Rafiah Jenkins, School of Nursing

Rafiah does a fantastic job of supporting the faculty in the college of nursing. She recently went above and beyond to help me learn how to use some new technology. She set me up and even gave me ideas on how to apply it in the classroom. When there is a problem or issue she is quick to respond. She will even stop by offices from time to time just to see if anyone needs help with anything. Thank you so much, Rafiah!

Michele Blankenship, School of Nursing

Michele is always willing to help out with junior students in the skills lab. We recently found ourselves in a situation where there were far more students than faculty could check off in one day. Michele graciously volunteered to help.  She did a fantastic job and the students had a great experience. Thanks, Michele!

Victoria Gordon, School of Nursing

Victoria is always willing to offer a helping hand.  We recently found ourselves in a situation where there were far more junior 1 students than faculty could check-off in one day. Victoria volunteered to help and she did a wonderful job. She was very thorough and gave excellent feedback. I know the students learned a lot. Thank you, Victoria!

Gwen Kyles, IT

Over the past year and a half, like the rest of the university, the Division of Information Technology has had to rethink the way we work as a team due to challenges like social distancing. Gwen has been the cornerstone in our teamwork and success in every aspect from keeping the whole division in the communication loop to planning functions to tracking strategic initiatives to maintaining morale by celebrating team successes. Since many of these efforts are only visible within the IT team, I wanted an opportunity to showcase to the campus how instrumental a role Gwen plays in our division. Thank you for your service and contributions, Gwen!

Marley Holcomb, Human Resources

I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Marley Holcomb for her efforts in managing and maintaining the university's I Caught You Caring recognition system. Members of our team have been deeply appreciative of the opportunity to see the value of their work to the institution and to see how all of us, regardless of our department or division, are contributing towards the same goals of university and student success. I know this must take a lot of work and time to compile each month, but it means a lot to us. Thank you, Marley!

Dr. Heidi Gonzalez, School of Nursing

Dr. Gonzalez goes above and beyond for her students, whether it’s in the classroom setting or the clinical setting. She motivates & inspires each nursing student to ultimately become the best nurse that we can be. She gives her all to her students, colleagues, patients, as well as anyone who comes to her! I’m grateful to have opportunities like learning from her in a clinical setting at SGMC on various floors to community service hours through COVID-19 vaccines. She’s a great instructor & mentor!

Ashley Braswell, LCOBA

I see Ms. Braswell's name on the list quite often but she sure deserves it! She goes out of her way on a daily basis to make people smile. She is so helpful and kind. It is truly an honor to interact with her regularly. She does an exceptional job within the Copeland Museum and is an influential piece of the LCOBA puzzle! Thank you for being you, Ms. Braswell!

Jeremy Hardin, New Media Center

Jeremy Hardin and the New Media Center are one of the best resources on VSU's campus for someone like me. I am often required to put things into spreadsheets, pdfs, tables, and other formats. Jeremy and all the staff at the New Media Center are very kind and patient. No question or task is too big or too small for the New Media Center. I don't know what I would do without them. Whenever I am stumped with how to format or do something on the computer I head to the New Media Center. Thank you!

Margaret Duncan, Access Office

I have a student in my class who requires access services. Due to our class schedule, it is necessary for this student to begin testing prior to the usual office opening of the Access Office. Without missing a beat, Ms. Duncan and Ms. Farley jumped in to make sure Access would be open early on test days so the student would be able to test and then return to class quickly. They have gone above and beyond for the good of the student. I appreciate also their support of me as faculty and their respect of class time and class activities. Thank you so much!

Heather Farley, Access Office

I have a student in my class who requires access services. Due to our class schedule, it is necessary for this student to begin testing prior to the usual office opening of the Access Office. Without missing a beat, Ms. Duncan and Ms. Farley jumped in to make sure Access would be open early on test days so the student would be able to test and then return to class quickly. They have gone above and beyond for the good of the student. I appreciate also their support of me as faculty and their respect of class time and class activities. Thank you so much!

Meredith Lancaster, Office of Occupational Safety

Meredith Lancaster, Associate Director for Environmental & Occupational Safety Department, facilitated a Defensive Driving series on Sept 20 & 22.  She was well into the first session on Sept 20 when 4 employees from the Athletic department arrived late to part one of two sessions required for the course. Rather than turn these employees away to register for a future session, Meredith invited them to join the already full class and also stayed late to cover the material that was missed. Meredith went above and beyond to ensure that these employees were able to successfully complete this course which ultimately benefited the athletic department and students. They will continue to have drivers available to support the teams and remain in compliance as operators of the state of GA registered vehicles. Thank you, Meredith, for your flexibility and dedication to ensuring a safe campus!

Dr. James Martinez, Education

Dr. Martinez truly cares about his students and their success. He ensures his students understand the content and encourages students throughout the course. Dr. Martinez shows concern and is dedicated to students achieving their accomplishments. Dr. Martinez gave me moral support, and I appreciate him very much.

Barbara Scott, Custodial Services

While being an intern at VSU I wanted to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to you and all you do for our Strength and Conditioning Staff and students at VSU. I truly appreciate everything you did, both the seen and unseen to make our facility safe to work in.  This last year was hands down the most memorable of my young career to date! I'll always cherish the memories we made this past year!

Britt Bugby, eLearning

Though I had no scheduled appointment, Ms. Bugby spent over an hour with me reviewing the finer points of Gradebook in Blazeview. She was an excellent teacher, answering all questions in a comprehensive, informal, and friendly manner.  I am now better informed about all its features.

Dr. Zachary Karazsia, Political Science

Dr. Karazsia demonstrated exceptional service in his compassionate response and understanding for a fellow student. Dr. Karazsia extended the due date for the student and it showed his attention and compassion towards students.

McKenzie Doran, VPFA & Budgeting Services

I was unsure of how to do a budget amendment and I had some questions. Not only did McKenzie answer my questions, but she went out of the way to provide me with examples and offer to walk me through the process.  I was terrified to do anything related to the budget, but McKenzie was so patient and kind.  For me, this was a huge step forward and you helped me get there. Thank you for helping me learn and grow!

Douglas Carlson, Archives

I'm researching turpentine (naval stores) for a course at GSU in Atlanta. I wrote to VSU requesting info about VSU's extensive wiregrass holdings. He wrote back with a number of references, and later, when I was unable to access one of them, he wrote back with an explanation and included a scanned version of the not-yet-digitized source. I was blown away!

Benjamin Li, IT

Ben showed up at the LCOBA First Year Student Meeting on 8/13 an hour before the start of the event. He made sure the technology was operating as expected and that all presentations were loaded to the console, and working. He stayed with us for the duration of the meeting in case we encountered any technical issues. Thanks, Ben for your exceptional service, and for leading by example.

Dr. Martha Leake, Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences and Engineering Technology

I received a last-minute media request from a reporter who wanted to learn more about a meteor people claimed to see over Valdosta. I reached out for help from our astronomy faculty and Martha was quick to respond with an enthusiastic willingness to talk to the reporter. Although she did not see the meteor, some of her students had reported similar experiences, and she discovered that 133 people across the Southeast had also reported seeing something in the sky. It makes my job so much easier when faculty are excited to share their wisdom with others through the news media, and I know the reporters truly enjoy these interviews and conversations.

Jeff Shipley, LCOBA

Jeff goes over and beyond the call of duty on a regular basis, however on October 2nd, he blew me away with his help and thoughtfulness. I was working by myself to welcome our VSU families and their students into the Copeland Museum and wasn't expecting as many guests to visit that day. Jeff not only helped me with a technical issue but went home and changed clothes before coming back to help me with the visitors for the rest of the day. He is a great employee and true friend and VSU is lucky to have such a caring employee on campus!

Sandra Delk, School of Nursing

Each semester Sandie hosts a workshop to help prepare the junior 1 nursing students for exams.  This semester, several students commented on how thankful they were to have been able to attend.  They spoke about how supportive Sandie is and how encouraged they felt.  Thank you so much, Sandy!

Dr. Raymond Elson, LCOBA

Admissions had a last-minute, unscheduled group tour request for the College of Business. Dr. Elson was kind enough to graciously host the group, giving them a wonderful tour of the College of Business facility, and providing a forum for which the prospective students felt comfortable asking questions. Thank you so much, Dr. Elson, for caring!

Jennifer Griffin, Bursary

Jennifer has always been very helpful with all my questions or concerns. She always has a calming tone and is knowledgeable. She deserves a pat on the back.

Curstin Burke, IT

Curstin made an important recommendation for changing certain NCTRU procedures regarding working with clients. These changes should improve our relationships with our clients.

Kavis Anderson, Custodial Services

Thank you, Mr. Anderson, for going out of your way to make our workplace look and feel so much better. Mr. Anderson went above and beyond to remove a stain and clean up the carpets in our suite which had been overlooked for years. Thank you, once again, for making our world shine a little brighter.

Paul Leavy, Creative Services

Paul Leavy has been incredibly supportive of me as a person and as a professional this fall. He takes beautiful photos that help my stories about our university community gain the attention of the news media as well as people on our website and social media pages. He listens when I'm having a bad day and when I need to think through an idea for a project. He even helped me when my car wouldn't start because the battery died. He is extremely talented, as evidenced by the many, many photojournalism awards he has earned throughout his career, and our university community is stronger because he chooses to share his life experience and talents with us.

Chelsie Powell, Center for eLearning

Chelsie went above and beyond her job to help me to get my class set up! Her attention to detail, and willingness to was amazing!

Doug Jordan, IT

I was setting up to present an AAA Driver Improvement program course to fellow staff members and I was experiencing difficulty with the software of the computer and monitor at this location. Our class was moved at the last minute from the Rose room at the UC and I was having great difficulty getting my video program to initialize. A call was made to Mr. Jordan and his response time was super quick! He readied the computer and had my program going in a matter of minutes. A huge thanks to Doug for his immediate response and quick application of knowledge to fix my problem!

Sydney Land, Event Services

I have been scheduling a lot of different events around main campus. I have had to either adjust my date because I overbooked or I put the wrong location when I filled out my contract on the EMS. The staff at Event Services has always been so helpful to make sure I have everything I need for my event and are always willing to reach out to me if they recommend me trying to set up a better way. I could not do any of these events without them.

Amanda Hoch, Event Services

I have been scheduling a lot of different events around main campus. I have had to either adjust my date because I overbooked or I put the wrong location when I filled out my contract on the EMS. The staff at Event Services has always been so helpful to make sure I have everything I need for my event and are always willing to reach out to me if they recommend me trying to set up a better way. I could not do any of these events without them.

Sierra Ingram, Event Services

I have been scheduling a lot of different events around main campus. I have had to either adjust my date because I overbooked or I put the wrong location when I filled out my contract on the EMS. The staff at Event Services has always been so helpful to make sure I have everything I need for my event and are always willing to reach out to me if they recommend me trying to set up a better way. I could not do any of these events without them.

Kayd Williams, Event Services

I have been scheduling a lot of different events around main campus. I have had to either adjust my date because I overbooked or I put the wrong location when I filled out my contract on the EMS. The staff at Event Services has always been so helpful to make sure I have everything I need for my event and are always willing to reach out to me if they recommend me trying to set up a better way. I could not do any of these events without them.

Jessica Pippin, STEAM Center

Jessica has gone above and beyond in supporting the CAMP program as it transitions with a new director, in addition to her current duties. She has cheerfully and readily helped with answering numerous questions and assisting with critical tasks. She has such a great attitude and she has been incredible to collaborate with and learn from. I know that I can reach out to her at any time and she will go above and beyond. CAMP can't show her enough gratitude and appreciation! Thanks, Jessica!

Alfred Reed, IT

Our three Fulbright exchange teachers were experiencing difficulty connecting to the Wi-Fi in the Fulbright house. Mediacom does not supply Xtenders for business accounts and we had to purchase one from Best Buy. We contacted IT for assistance and Alfred Reed was assigned to the work order. Alfred laid cables in the attic to the back of the house so our extender would have better connectivity. We are grateful that our IT department allowed Alfred to assist with this since we did not have the technical training to complete this project. Our three exchange teachers are very happy!

James Nelson, Campus Services

James Nelson is consistent and reliable in managing the immeasurable custodial tasks of the Library. He communicates the realities of the custodial staff scheduling and personnel limitations while working to fulfill the necessary demands of our building usage. He is proactive in his dealings with us and in his work ethic as it relates to his responsibilities and those under his advisement. With the Library open 7 days a week, until midnight 5 days a week, serving approximately 2,000 patrons a day, this is a balancing act that is a constantly moving target. I appreciate his willingness to continue to serve the Library with all of its unique challenges. Thank you, James, for bringing a service attitude to work with you each and every day!

Jahvon Mintas, Campus Recreation

A refrigerator was being delivered to Barrow Hall during the evening hours of Friday, Oct. 22. Jahvon was walking by and noticed the delivery driver was having difficulty fitting the refrigerator through Barrow Hall's doors. Jahvon put down his backpack and proceeded to help the delivery driver with the very heavy item. He even helped with reassembling the refrigerator doors, and he knew exactly how to help move them carefully. To top it off, Jahvon did not have to, but he stayed until the refrigerator was inside the kitchen and all the parts were back in their place. Jahvon’s selflessness on a Friday evening was very touching, and I wanted to make sure his kindness did not go unnoticed. Thank you, Jahvon!

Jordan Thompson, Bursary

A few times in the last couple of years there has been any issue with my daughter's student account, and Jordan Thompson has been on top of it. Last semester she contacted me before I even had to to call her! This semester again, within a minute of emailing she called and helped with everything. I truly appreciate the help, advice, and updates she gave. She never got frustrated and always had all the answers! Thank you so much.

Regina Lee, Human Resources

I emailed Regina about a unique situation I had regarding Wild Adventures passes. Not only did she direct me to the correct location/time to find a solution, but she spoke to the Wild Adventures representative on my behalf ahead of time so that she was familiar with my situation when I arrived. Regina made me feel heard and like my time is valuable. I am so thankful!

Zonnya Lane, Office of Accounting and Procurement

We have had some recent challenges with using the p-card in our office. Zonnya has been phenomenal at helping us find solutions so our recruitment events could still take place and stay in compliance with policies. It went all the way up until the day before one of our events and Zonnya went the extra mile to be sure everything would go smoothly for our prospective students. Thank you, Zonnya!

Gary Thomas, Central Warehouse

Gary delivered an order that we had been waiting on for a while. I made a comment about how long it took the order to arrive. Instead of responding back inadequately, he simply apologized. He stated that this is not a normal occurrence and that his department takes pride in timely deliveries. His level of customer service was extraordinary and he exemplified everything that a VSU Blazer employee should be.

Sarah Fitzgerald, History

Dr. Fitzgerald deserves recognition for her commitment to student success at VSU! She is always kind, helpful, and welcoming. She brings a unique perspective to the class because of her former occupation and therefore helps us to better understand the field of Public History. Dr. Fitzgerald is unlike any professor I have ever had. Thank you for being you, Dr. Fitzgerald!

Veraleen Wright, Building Services

Ms. Wright is so detailed and always does her best. She always goes the extra mile at her job to ensure our facilities are sanitized and looking/smelling great. We love the smell of bleach. Thank you for your hard work that is always accompanied by your friendly smile!

Amanda Hoch, Event Services

Due to a mix-up, a schedule conflict for use of Professional & Community Education's auditorium occurred on Friday, Oct 29^th. Upon arrival at our building this morning, we discovered a Foundation board meeting and breakfast about to get underway. This event was scheduled to conclude at 10 AM, with cleanup commencing sometime later. We were preparing to have to do a last-minute cancellation and call the 20-25 participants to let them know. Without hesitation, Amanda jumped into action! She arranged to get extra help from her office and worked with Aramark to ensure everything was finished and cleaned up so the dance class could begin on time. Thank you, Amanda! You are an asset to Event Services and the staff of PACE appreciates all you do for the VSU Community.

Bryson Williams, Financial Services

On behalf of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Administration (OSPRA), I cannot emphasize enough how appreciative we all are for the diligence and effort Bryson Williams continually demonstrates in working with our department. Bryson has stepped up to the plate to assist us after a position, which liaisons with OSPRA on a daily basis, became vacant. Bryson’s dedication and willingness to provide excellent customer service through collaborative teamwork allows us to support our grant-writing faculty and staff.

Catherine Wills, Human Resources

Catherine has met with me each year for the last ten years to help me through the process of making good benefits decisions. Her kindness and cheerful nature have been a blessing.

Jeremy Hankinson, Library

When we were declined assistance from IT Classroom support to transport 36 lab machines to IT due to a lack of staff support in IT, Jeremy from Computer Services in Odum Library (A.K.A Automation) stepped up to the task to help us transport these surplus lab machines. We appreciate the support from our Library Automation Team. We also appreciate Keith Watson for allowing Jeremy to assist us. Mr. Hankinson made the process more streamlined.

Wade Bugby, IT

When we were declined assistance from IT Classroom support to transport 36 lab machines to IT due to a lack of staff support in IT, Wade from IT Asset Management was willing to come out and support the transfer. We appreciate Wade for his willingness to assist us so that we could maintain operations. Because of his support, the NMC team was able to assist 5 patrons at the same time we had to transfer these 8-year old computers from our lab space.

Stanley Jones, Registrar

Stanley Jones is the most patient and kind person! I know that this is a super busy time for the Registrar's Office but he still took the time to help me and make sure I understood what I needed to do. Being an online student is difficult when we don't have the same interactions with staff that on-campus students do but he always makes sure to give the same level of attention to us!

Wendy Byrd, Employee and Organizational Development

I appreciate Wendy so much! I have had several questions related to TAP this semester and she has always been helpful. Today she took the time to walk me through the past 2 years of my account to help me to understand an issue I was having. She really helped me and I am so thankful!

Justin Wiese, Print Shop

Justin is an incredible VSU employee and I have always valued him and his work ethic, however, on October 19th he exceeded my expectations. Justin caught an issue before it became a bigger issue. Not only did he catch it but he also provided a solution to complete the project without having to reprint the images, spend more money, and kept me from having to reschedule the installers for the project. I cannot express how much I appreciate Justin!

Annjannette Atkins, Communications

Anjie was so helpful in helping me to get an SSL certificate for our GoDaddy website. She spent several days making sure that we were getting what we needed. She was so patient and helpful and stuck in there with me until it was done. I appreciate her so much- thanks Anjie!

Amanda Hoch, Event Services

Amanda is always looking out for those she serves at VSU. On Saturday I was in need of a few chairs and Amanda noticed me searching and went out of her way to help me. This is not uncommon and I wanted to take a minute to recognize her for all she does for this university. Thank you, Amanda!

Jessica Pope, Strategic Communications and Marketing

Jessica is always there to lend a helping hand with press releases, stories and so much more. With so much on her plate, I felt it necessary to commend her "can do" attitude and willingness to help even when she is overwhelmed. She is such an asset to our university and I appreciate her and what she does on a daily basis! Thank you, Jessica!

Daniel Oppel, Physics, Creative Services

I wanted to take a minute to recognize Daniel Oppel for all he does for me and my colleagues. He creates a lot of graphics and displays for me and does a tremendous job. I appreciate him and want him to know that what he does for the university matters. Thanks, Daniel!

Cole Griner, IT

Cole Griner is a true asset to the IT Solutions Center. No matter when I call, or how ludicrous my questions may be, Cole is professional, courteous, and above all provides accurate information.

Dr. Aubrey Fowler, Marketing

Dr. Fowler is an incredible professor. He truly cares about his students. He's personable with us and really wants to know about us. We gain so much value from his classroom discussions. He wants dialogue in each class period. We’ve used software that most of us haven’t ever used before, but he wanted us to do our best. He wanted us to learn along with him and show him how we evolve our artistic abilities. Because I am a senior this is the last semester I’ll ever have with him. I wish I had to take more of his classes. He is truly the best teacher I've ever had and it saddens me that I won’t have any more classes with him. I’ve learned more about myself simply by sitting in his classroom.

Dallas Suttles, Archives

These good folks provided me with superior service in my quest for documents related to the Naval Stores Industry, specifically regarding the work and lives of turpentiners. Without their help, a project I'm working on would not have gone forward.

Deborah Davis, Archives

These good folks provided me with superior service in my quest for documents related to the Naval Stores Industry, specifically regarding the work and lives of turpentiners. Without their help, a project I'm working on would not have gone forward.

Rafiah Jenkins, School of Nursing

I asked Rafiah if she would mind helping me create a short video for the PAGE conference. She not only agreed to help but she basically produced the entire video by just coming and filming me during my work week. She then edited the video and did a voice-over to make it perfect. She is always willing to help and never makes me feel like I am a bother or unimportant.

Nick Harrison, College of Nursing and Health Sciences Advising Team

On his way to his lunch break, Nick volunteered to help a student find the testing center location. I was unsure where to direct the student. Nick stepped in and took care of it! Thanks, Nick! You are a great example of the Blazer Creed!

Catherine Wills, Human Resources

I asked Catherine to find out some financial info for me and she got back to me in less than 24 hours. It was not an emergency but she jumped right on it. I definitely appreciated her quick response and professionalism.

Karen Shepard, Office of the Registrar

Ms. Karen is always so gracious and helpful to advisors when we have questions. I had a specific question about student transcripts and she promptly and thoroughly answered my question. She also included additional information that I was able to print off and add to my advisor handbook. I have always appreciated her help and kindness to me as I've grown and learned how to be a more effective advisor. She is such an asset to this university!

Rebecca Leatherberry, University Police

Sgt. Leatherberry went above and beyond to review the camera footage from the University Center after I was involved in a hit and run accident. I truly appreciate her time and effort on my behalf.

Abbie Hancock, Admissions

It was super cold this morning and Abbie went out of her way to come get me from my car so that I didn't have to walk in the cold to the Office of Admissions. It was a caring gesture on her behalf.

Caroline Boutwell, Event Services

The staff in event services went above and beyond to decorate the Cypress room for our Student Success division-wide Christmas party. It was beautiful! We had so many compliments about how lovely everything was and had several staff members take photos in front of the decorations. This totally set the mood for our event. I am so thankful for the entire Event Services team. They always go out of their way to make all of our events a success!

Logan Gullage, Event Services

The staff in event services went above and beyond to decorate the Cypress room for our Student Success division-wide Christmas party. It was beautiful! We had so many compliments about how lovely everything was and had several staff members take photos in front of the decorations. This totally set the mood for our event. I am so thankful for the entire Event Services team. They always go out of their way to make all of our events a success!

Brenna Taylor, Event Services

The staff in event services went above and beyond to decorate the Cypress room for our Student Success division-wide Christmas party. It was beautiful! We had so many compliments about how lovely everything was and had several staff members take photos in front of the decorations. This totally set the mood for our event. I am so thankful for the entire Event Services team. They always go out of their way to make all of our events a success!

Anna Katherine Goodin, Event Services

The staff in event services went above and beyond to decorate the Cypress room for our Student Success division-wide Christmas party. It was beautiful! We had so many compliments about how lovely everything was and had several staff members take photos in front of the decorations. This totally set the mood for our event. I am so thankful for the entire Event Services team. They always go out of their way to make all of our events a success!

Leonard Mittelstadt, Campus Services

Leonard Mittelstadt does exceptional service for us every day. He makes sure our bathrooms, hallways, office trash, and floors smell good, and are clean and free of debris. If there is a request made by the team, Leonard either takes care of it right away or lets us know when the request will be done. He notices and alerts us about worn-out door stops and wet carpet! While defrosting the office refrigerator, Leonard was going through his normal routine and found a huge amount of water around the refrigerator. My colleague and I thought we added enough plastic and paper towels under the refrigerator to catch and absorb the spill. He not only spoke to us, but he alerted his supervisors. He was concerned about ruining the carpet, the smell it would leave, and the effect the water would have on the second-floor ceiling and operations. He along with Mona and Vanessa assisted to get things cleaned up. They also informed ways in which we could avoid the issue from reoccurring. Mona and Vanessa, thank you for your leadership and quick response to help resolve the issue.  Leonard, thank you for your excellent service and warm smile. You are very pleasant and treat all of us with kindness. Thank you for the endless work that you do. Know that what you do does not go unnoticed.

Laura Byers, Access Office

On very short notice, Laura Byers kindly jumped in to be an interpreter during a video recording for the IT Division. She even cleaned her desk off at the last minute to make a super great impression. Thank you, Laura, for your skill and talent and for being willing to share it with all of us so generously.

Amanda Thompson, Housing and Residence Life

Amanda Thompson was attentive and helpful with my questions and concerns. She handled everything professionally.

Myia Miller, COSM Advising Center

Ms. Miller has always been an advisor that cares about her students. Fall 2021 was one of my hardest semesters as a biology student & I went to her concerned about a class. We talked about all of my options. The next morning, she emailed me job options on campus saying she thought about me. It meant something to me because out of every student she saw that day she still remembered our conversation. She is an example of what an advisor should be. I have completed & passed all of my classes & I was happy to let her know I will be a Fall 2021 graduate with a B.S. in biology and minors in chemistry and psychology! She also sends her students inspiring messages & it makes me so happy to feel like I have someone to talk to when I am worried about school & life in general.

Nathan Popp, Employee and Organizational Development

Whenever I need assistance with the training portal, Nathan is almost always the individual for the job. He is quick to respond to emails/calls and always provides immediate assistance. Even when my department is in a time crunch, Nathan never disappoints. He is also extremely effective with communication. Thank you, Nathan!

Annjannette Atkins, Communications

Anjie has gone above and beyond to assist us every time we request her help. She has been patient with our countless inquiries, many of them essentially asking to break the internet. She explains complicated computer language to us in a way that we can easily understand and guides us to find creative solutions to issues on our web pages. It is obvious, any time I work with Anjie she truly aims to benefit the VSU community and she sincerely enjoys helping people. I cannot express my gratitude enough to employees like Anjie! Thank you!

Jeff Grant Grant, Creative Services

I am presenting at a conference at the end of the month and Jeff & Justin expedited the printing of my poster before the center closing. I am grateful for them going above & beyond. Thank you for all you do!

Britt Bugby, eLearning

Ms. Britt Bugby in E-Learning provided exceptional service in creating a customized teaching video for me after I requested assistance with some Gradebook adjustments. Ms. Bugby saved me a trip to the E-Learning Center. Ms. Bugby created a short video, with audio narration, and a mobile, yellow, outlined cursor, explaining the steps needed to provide an accurate reflection of end-of-the-semester grades. Her response was swift, expert, and even humorous. She is generous and an excellent teacher. I am in her debt.

Grant Hall, IT

Grant Hall in IT provided exceptional service by helping me with the finer points of OneDrive. Using step-by-step narration and instruction, he explained the best methods to share videos with faculty and others, and transfer pieces to other online media.  He was patient, precise, and helpful.

Marsha Dukes, eLearning

Marsha B. Dukes provided exceptional service in a face-to-face drop-in visit to the E-Learning Center. She assisted me with the completion of final grading and suggested strategies to simplify grading for next semester. She was kind, knowledgeable, and generous.

Douglas Carlson, Archives

I received next day service for an obituary I requested. I really appreciate the quick response!

Wilburn Leschber, University Police

Officer Cox and Major Leschber went above and beyond their duties when I discovered that I had a flat tire on my way home from work. They both stayed late and helped me put on the spare. Unbeknownst to them, I was still recovering from a hand injury that would have made changing the tire much more difficult, so their assistance was such a blessing!

Kevin Cox, University Police

Officer Cox and Major Leschber went above and beyond their duties when I discovered that I had a flat tire on my way home from work. They both stayed late and helped me put on the spare. Unbeknownst to them, I was still recovering from a hand injury that would have made changing the tire much more difficult, so their assistance was such a blessing!

Bryson Williams, Financial Services

On behalf of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Administration (OSPRA), I cannot emphasize enough how appreciative we all are for the diligence and effort Bryson Williams continually demonstrates in working with our department. Bryson has stepped up to the plate to assist us after a position, which liaisons with OSPRA daily, became vacant. Bryson's dedication and willingness to provide excellent customer service through collaborative teamwork allows us to support our grant-writing faculty and staff. Bryson, we appreciate you!