This award is designed to honor those staff members who have exhibited outstanding work performance and/or service and dedication to the University or the community. Examples include, but are not limited to, outstanding program development, positive attitude in relationships with faculty, staff and students, noteworthy achievement or exemplary leadership on the campus or in the community’s of continuous service to the University.

All staff members with at least one calendar year of employment at Wesleyan are eligible for nomination except for those with corporate faculty status or those who serve on the President’s Executive Team. Nominations are made by faculty and staff.  Each year’s recipient is determined by the President and the Executive team.  Prior recipients of the award are ineligible for consideration.

> Distinguished Staff Award Form

Distinguished Staff Award Recipients

Full-time employees may be nominated in recognition for consistently demonstrating outstanding service to the university or community that is above and beyond their job responsibilities. Nominations will be reviewed by the President and the Executive Team to determine if a Wesleyan Service Award should be granted. At the time of granting, the employee will be recognized and given a service coin. Recipients of a Wesleyan Service Award will be recognized annually at the Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony that will occur in the spring. Each person who has received a coin up to that point will have their coin placed in a drawing. There will also be other incentives for those who reach 6 and 12 coins.

> Wesleyan Service Award Form

2024 Wesleyan Service Award Recipients

Ms. Kimla Brandt
Kimla’s worked with Ascent Studios and their production of the movie “RENNER”. She went above and beyond her job responsibilities to make sure the needs of their production crew and cast were taken care of during their stay at Wesleyan. Based on this positive interaction, we anticipate Ascent Studios to partner with Wesleyan in many ways that will directly support our students.

Dr. Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis donated a new bee hive to campus and went through the steps to become an affiliate university for Bee Campus USA. We are only 1 of 8 universities with this distinction in NC and only 1 of 170 in the country. Carl also spends a great deal of time keeping our grounds around the bee hives clean.

Dr. Margaret Love, Dr. Doreen Thierauf and Dr. Jay Quinan
These three employees donate much of their time practicing and performing with the Wesleyan Singers. The Wesleyan Singers not only perform at campus events, but they also perform in the community. This is a great service to our campus and community that goes above and beyond their job functions. They are not compensated for their participation.

Wesleyan Service Award Past Recipients:

2020 – Drs. Carl & Jackie Lewis and Dr. Brittany Bass
2021 – Steve Burrell, Leah Hill, Lois Hart, Jessica Brys-Wilson, Patricia Brewer and Mike Armbruster
2022 – Khira Young, Doreen Thierauf, Jarrod Kelly, Joyce Bartlett, Greg Boykin, Stephen Ranke, Chris Imoukhuede, Tim Donovan, Marcus Rich, Wayne Sears, Lynne Patterson
2023 – Dr. Kaitlin Pericak, Kaley Sharpe, Dr. Kelvin Spragley

Awarded to a faculty member of the University for their dedication and commitment to their students and the University.  Nominations are made by students. The award is presented during Commencement each year.

> Exemplary Teacher Award Form

Exemplary Teacher Award Past Recipients

Regarded as one of the highest honor and form of recognition a faculty member may receive.  Awarded for the faculty members scholarly contributions to their students, the university, and their professional field of study. Nominations are made by Faculty Council. The faculty member will deliver a lecture for the university and community in the spring of the year. There is a grant available to the recipient for professional development.

Jefferson Pilot Award Past Recipients:

This award is for an individual whose own performance is exemplary but is also an effective leader of people.  Nominees are expected to positively demonstrate the University’s core values (Knowledge, Understanding, Integrity, Accountability, Patience, Respect, Kindness, and Empathy). A $250 cash incentive and plaque will be given. Must be submitted by March 15th each year.

Selection Criteria

Must be a full-time staff or faculty employee with at least 2 years of tenure who demonstrates and lives the following:

• Principles of servant leadership
• Building community by promoting a work environment that is respectful, collegial and supportive
• Orienting goals and achievements in line with the University’s mission
• Exhibiting strong stewardship of institutional resources (time, talent, financial)
• Developing a shared vision of institutional excellence
• Fosters an atmosphere of collaboration and creativity, which contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of productivity

Chuck Taylor Leadership Award Past Recipients

2021 – Jessica Brys-Wilson
2022 – Joy Smallwood
2023 – Andrew Votipka
2024 – Mike Armbruster

This award exemplifies a person who inspires a positive attitude and outlook that directly affects students, faculty, staff and the greater campus community.

Selection Criteria:

Must be a full-time faculty or staff member with at least one year of tenure who demonstrates and lives the following:

• Principles of Positivity:
  • Inspiring
  • Optimistic
  • Enthusiastic
  • Encouraging/Cheerleader
  • Collaborative
• Builds community by promoting an inspiring and successful work environment with a positive attitude and enthusiasm that infects others
• Orients goals and achievements in line with the University’s mission
• Develops a shared vision of institutional excellence
• Fosters an atmosphere of positive outcomes

This person makes an extraordinary effort to support others and improve morale in the department with a positive impact on students, faculty and staff.

Nominees are expected to positively demonstrate the University’s core values (Knowledge, Understanding, Integrity, Accountability, Patience, Respect, Kindness, and Empathy).

Selection Committee:

President & President’s Executive Team

Deadline:

Nominations must be received no later than March 15th each year.

Award:

An acrylic plaque will be given at the University’s Award Ceremony.

Nominations:

• Name and contact information of nominee
• Name and contact information of person submitting nomination
• A description of nominee’s qualification per the criteria

Selection will be made by March 31st in order to include as part of the Faculty/Staff Award event.

> Inspirational Bishop Award Form

Inspirational Bishop Award Recipients:

2023
Jennifer Anderson
Gail Fields
Jocelyn Blount
John Thompson

2024
Justin Clark

For recognition of full-time faculty and full and part-time staff for their years of service.  Recognition will be awarded in 5 year, 10 year, 15 year, etc. increments of continuous service to the University.