MOUNT VERNON – Faculty and staff at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) celebrated the contribution of peers during the Excellence in the Call awards reception held April 13, in Foster Hall. Sheryl Arden and Cheryl Sharpes were nominated by peers and selected by the award committee through a review process.
Arden serves as the administrative assistant for the School of Natural and Social Sciences. She is described as efficient, hardworking, pleasant and personable in her service to the dean and five departments within the school; all told, she assists 24 faculty members, 17 adjunct instructors and 55 student laboratory and departmental assistants.
“Week after week, Sheryl puts in extra hours and effort when it is needed to serve the MVNU community,” cited one nomination. “She exceeds expectations in her support of any project she is given. For instance, Sheryl’s administrative support was instrumental in the application for accreditation for our engineering program. She spent many late nights proofreading and organizing assessment documents for the application and site visit.”
“Sheryl is the epitome of outstanding service, innovation, collegiality, leadership and going beyond what is required of her in her position,” stated another nomination. “When I look at the amount and variety of work that Sheryl accomplishes for the School of Natural and Social Sciences, and the number of faculty that she services, I’m convinced that she does the work of two or three individuals. She is always available, always ready with an answer and always willing to figure out the best and fastest way to get things done.”
Sharpes is the associate director of admissions, campus visits and events. Nominations for Sharpes describe her as dedicated, consistent, patient, humble and caring.
“Cheryl is an encouraging leader and does her job with excellence,” stated one of her peers. “For many students, the events she plans and hosts are their first exposure to MVNU. She works tirelessly to ensure that events like Sonfest, Open House Days, on-campus quizzing events, etc. run smoothly and that students and their families leave our campus wanting to return as soon as possible. The admissions team would not be as effective if it were not for Cheryl’s dedication and commitment to making students and their families feel at home when they are on our campus.”
“While Cheryl creates the vision and implements plans for amazing events, she also cares for the individual,” stated a nomination. “She cares for both staff and student and takes time to hear their concerns and joys. She willingly seeks to grow in her leadership and does not lose heart or focus for the mission of MVNU. She leads with a passionate and excellent focus. She truly exemplifies 1 Corinthians 10:31. Everything that she does is for the glory of God.”
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 Excellence in the Call Award Committee, chaired by Mel Severns, university registrar.
