The U of A recognized hundreds of staff members for a variety of achievements and milestones Tuesday, Oct. 8, during the 2024 Employee Appreciation Banquet at the Arkansas Union. The university showcases the success of staff each year during the banquet, which coincides with Staff Appreciation Week. 

Chancellor Charles Robinson welcomed attendees, thanked staff members and recognized the hard work of the many employees honored as part of the event. 

Amy Ochoa, interim associate vice chancellor for human resources, served as emcee and addressed staff while working alongside Robinson and Staff Senate Chair Roy Cordell to present Staff Senate Awards and Service Awards.

Staff senators work to ensure the U of A is an employer of choice by actively promoting staff development and recognition through honors such as Staff Senate Scholarships, Employee of the Quarter Awards, Employee of the Year Awards and Team Awards.

A total of 20 employees were recognized as Employee of the Quarter from each quarter in 2024. The following staff members were named Employees of the Year:

• Danielle Dunn, assistant financial operations director | School of Law
• Debbie Ritter, employer relations coordinator | Offices of Career Connections
• Lauren Denny, ISS front desk administrator | Graduate School and International Education
• Juana Gilstrap, systems specialist and Workday student data and integration specialist | Enrollment Services
• Justin Mazzanti, building specialist | Global Campus

The Outstanding Team Award was presented to the Multicultural Center. The Multicultural Center helps students explore their commonalities and embrace their differences. They support student success through a variety of cultural celebrations, community outreach, academic workshops, seminars, mentoring and academic coaching with a goal of assisting students in the development of their intellectual wellbeing and academic endeavors.

The celebration continued with the recognition of 64 staff members who recently earned a degree from the U of A, as well as staff members who received scholarships from Staff Senate. 

To conclude the ceremony, employees were recognized for years-of-service milestones, starting at five years. The following employees received special recognition for 40 or greater years of service: 

• Gary K. Smith, 45
• Colin Douglas Byers, 40 
• Robert Jeffery Danks 40
• Lonnie Deavens, 40
• Paula Lasner, 40
• Bruce McNully, 40
• Kathy Scheibel, 40

"Without you all, this university wouldn't be the place it is today. You make the U of A's success possible," Ochoa said. "This recognition is only a small symbol of our gratitude."

The full banquet program is available online and includes the names of all the staff members who were honored, as well as a short tribute to each of the staff members who have achieved 20 or more years of service.