Campus News

Staff Appreciation Day event to be held May 25

Staff Appreciation Day 2015
Decator Dunagan from Facilities Management plays the bean bag toss during the first Staff Appreciation Day in 2015.

Planning for the second annual Staff Appreciation Day is in full swing at UGA as it gears up to celebrate its more than 6,300 staff members.

The event will take place May 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the intramural fields. It will include food, music, door prizes, sponsor giveaways and interactive activities. Staff are encouraged to drop by at some point during this scheduled time.

“We are looking forward to saying ‘thank you’ again this year to the thousands of individuals who support the university in so many significant ways,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Our staff members are essential to the University of Georgia’s success, and we are grateful for their commitment and dedication.”

Preparations for Staff Appreciation Day are proceeding extremely well, said Michael Lewis, chair of the UGA Staff Council and an IT professional in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ geology department. “We set the bar high last year and want to keep it there.”

Several features of the 2015 event will be repeated this year, including the two bands Tropical Breeze Steel Band and the Back in Time Band.

“As chair of Staff Council, I frequently interact with administrators from all over campus. One common theme always emerges: Gratitude for the work done by staff,” Lewis said. “The president, provost, vice presidents, deans and directors all acknowledge the vital importance of work done by staff. People should walk away from this event knowing that the administration truly cares about the staff of UGA.”

This year’s Staff Appreciation Day, made possible by the Office of the President, private contributions and corporate sponsors, will be held in the middle of Staff Appreciation Week, designated by Morehead to take place May 23-27. During that week, other university departments will be hosting unit-level activities to recognize and celebrate staff contributions.

Parking will be available on site at the Intramural Fields, with E01 reserved for staff with disabilities. UGA buses will provide service for the event, altering their routes to provide pickup and drop-off locations throughout campus, including the Health Sciences Campus, Chicopee and the Veterinary Medical Center.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/UGAstaffappreciation