Each year Staff Council is given the daunting task of anonymously selecting the Oral V. Hemry Non-Exempt Staff Member of the Year, and exempt staff member of the year. We read through dozens of nominations that tell a story of the phenomenal and hardworking staff at SPU who quite literally hold this place together as they live out their Christian faith; demonstrate competence, skill, and initiative in their work; model grace in their interactions with others, and exemplify service and leadership.
Oral V. Hemry Non-Exempt Staff Member of the Year
This individual was hired last summer in the midst of the pandemic. At a time where most people on campus were slowing down and preparing for the next academic year, our non-exempt staff member of the year hit the ground running. It was clear from the start that they would be an asset to their team, gifting their talents of whole-picture strategic thinking, contagious brightness, positivity, and humor. They are a natural leader with a huge heart for service, and can intelligently examine current systems, propose ways to make them better, and execute well thought out plans. On top of supervising two programs, student workers, and managing an office, they are also a student in the IO Psychology Master’s program.
They are praised for their ability to easily connect with a wide range of individuals, and serve as a powerful, approachable, creative leader and role model for the 9 student workers they supervise. They perform exemplary work in establishing relationships with them as they train, advocate, and encourage.
Our non-exempt staff member of the year cares greatly for the students of SPU, and combine a deep understanding of student need with an ability to plan and come up with creative ideas on how the department can serve them best, strategically and clearly mapping out action items for their team.
They add value to their department and make important contributions by developing tailored programming for students and creating services to address their needs. A great example of this was last fall when they realized that many students were struggling with being back on campus after lockdowns, so they proposed offering free doughnuts as a way of simply connecting with more students and helping them feel like they belong here.
They are a beautiful example of a holistic expression of faith that is consistently lived out among staff and students, and in their own community. They are truly a gem to their department and a light on this campus, and have already made a profound impact in the short time they have worked here.
Please join me in awarding this year’s Oral V. Hemry Non-Exempt Staff Member of the Year award to Celiz McClish in the Center for Career and Calling!
Exempt Staff Member of the Year
This individual has served the SPU community for five years now with a faith that shines in every interaction with students, faculty and staff across campus. A true servant leader in the midst of a pandemic, they go out of their way to ensure the SPU community is well-cared for, while reflecting the steady faithfulness of the gospel in the ways they navigate every area of their work. Their Christian faith and desire to serve is evident in their strong ability to apply medical knowledge to a campus context.
Their efforts in the University's response to COVID-19 and collaboration with other departments has been exemplary, and their wise counsel assisted in SPU's response for students and employees. They stayed informed of new issues as things changed, and their leadership assisted many departments in navigating the changing landscape of the pandemic.
Our exempt staff member of the year has done an incredible job leading their department with a spirit of joy, service, encouragement, and kindness. So much of their work is behind the scenes as they play a crucial role in keeping our campus safe, healthy, and well. They balance the difficult tension of being a director and supervisor by establishing genuine relationships with their colleagues, seeing them holistically for who they are. Christ is exemplified in their words and actions as they start each team meeting in prayer.
They bring compassion and care in a non-judgmental way to students in times when they are often most vulnerable, while demonstrating incredible patience and grace under stress; making them feel understood and appreciated. Once after working long hours during the workweek, they came to campus on the weekend to check on some recently quarantined students. They took a risk in being exposed to COVID so they could tend to the student’s needs, care for them, and extend compassion and humanity.
When the world is acting out fear, and so many speak words without action, this individual displays the best in SPU’s staff, and their love of Jesus shows up in how they live and do their work daily.
Please join me in celebrating this year’s exempt staff of the year,
Sally Thunselle from the student health center!
Congratulations to Celiz McClish and Sally Thunselle!
Find out more about these awards.
Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2022