University Recreation hosted a virtual Honors and Awards Celebration recognizing academic and occupational successes of their student employees. 

"Starting college, I knew a few things for certain. I knew I would make lots of new friends, go to class, join a sorority, and go to Razorback games. One thing I did not know was that I would work for University Recreation, which turned out to be the most important experience of my college career," said Madeline Hiegel, program assistant for Fitness/Wellness and chair of the UREC 2019-2020 student employee advisory board. 

"I am so thankful that I happened to be around people at UREC to support me in gaining this experience while getting to do something that I love. The mission of University Recreation is to empower students for success through recreation and wellness, and for me, I feel like UREC has done exactly that," said Hiegel. 

The virtual program was hosted by University Recreation student employees Maeve Mitchell, May 2020 graduate of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences with a double major in International Studies and Latin American Studies and Michael Adkison, May 2020 graduate of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Journalism and a focus on Broadcast.   

The average cumulative GPA of all UREC employees is a 3.4. Eighteen students were recognized as "UREC Aces," meaning they are the employees with the highest cumulative GPA. UREC also celebrated the 68 staff who graduated in May 2020.  Each UREC program area identified individuals who excelled in their day to day job responsibilities, served as role models to their peers, and showed a strong work ethic.

The department's Craig Edmonston Award was also given. This award is named after a former UREC director who served the department for 30 years and is presented to the most outstanding student employee at UREC. This award is conferred upon the individual who provides the best service, dedication, and commitment to students, employees and the university community. The winner of the 2020 Craig Edmonston award was Michael Adkison.

All award recipients are listed below.

UREC Aces: Lydia Adair, Hannah Allred, Emma Aspenson, Carley Brown, Katelyn Halter, Austin Heinisch, Emily Herrmann, Sabrina Jones, Megan Kueh, Spencer Lashley, Stetson Ledbetter, Erin Lorenzen, Andres Luna Orosco Amelunge, Elizabeth Price, Erick Sandoval, Amy Schexnayder, Kaitlyn Smith, and Susan Yeager.

UREC Sports Officials of the Year:  Danny Roach and Nathan Lange

UREC Sports Supervisor of the Year: Zac Husman

Outstanding Office Assistant: Wendy Stewart

Lifeguard of the Year: Taylor Gutzman

Facility Assistant of the Year: Nick Lange 

Facility Supervisor of the Year:  Kay Tate

Donna Axum Fitness Center Attendant of the Year: Amanda Corley 

UREC Fitness Center Attendant of the Year: Ashley Taylor

Service Center Attendant of the Year:  Chenwei Wu

Student Manager of the Year:  Blair Wilhelm

Fitness Monitor of the Year: Katie Berry

Fitness & Wellness Employee of the Year: Madeline Hiegel

Outstanding Student Staff for Personal Training: Amanda Kiernan

Above & Beyond in Marketing: Michael Boyd

UREC Outdoors Staff Pick:  Zane Pitman

Craig Edmonston Award Recipient: Michael Adkison