MOUNT VERNON – Two staff members at Mount Vernon Nazarene University were recently presented a new outstanding service award for faculty and staff.
Tricia Bowles and Aaron Williams were both lauded for their servant leadership as well as innovation that removed obstacles to create a safe campus in the unprecedented times of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bowles, director of Creative Services, Marketing Department, was nominated not only for her skills as a graphic designer and protector of the MVNU brand, but for the gracious leadership she provided the department and the university.
“Last year when COVID hit, the Marketing Department was slammed with lots of quick-turnaround and never-before-seen requests,” stated one of several nominations. “Tricia was always steady at the helm, both to help work with campus departments to effectively execute new innovative ideas and to guide her team through new territory. When working remotely proved especially stressful and isolating, she frequently checked in with her staff (both professionally and personally) and also made house calls, delivering coffee and donuts on porches.”
Williams, senior applications engineer, IT Services, was nominated for his efforts and accomplishment in creating an online COVID-19 health assessment and screening results platform.
“Aaron Williams is a quiet, gracious and humble servant of God and others,” stated one of his nominating peers. “Yet, his service carries great weight and strength, especially in these days of COVID. His work on the health website (health.mvnu.edu) was integral to the completion of this year on campus! Most of all, Aaron is a good man who cares deeply for whatever he does for the success of this campus.”
The quarterly award includes recognition at an employee reception, a certificate and $500. The honor was developed and sponsored by donors, who are members of the faculty and staff, to applaud outstanding service, innovation, collegiality, peer leadership and going beyond the call of duty as recognized and nominated from their peers. Nominations were reviewed by the Faculty/Staff Recognition Award Committee, chaired by Mel Severns, university registrar.
