Congratulations to staff members who have been selected as the university's Distinguished Performance Award recipients for 2015-16. They will be recognized Tuesday, May 10, during the 23nd annual Distinguished Performance and Service Recognition ceremony, hosted by Nikki Turner, Staff Senate president, and Rebecca Oliver, director of Honors. They are:

-- Team Player; Prathima Appaji, Psychology & Counseling
-- Unsung Hero; Natalie Turney, English, Philosophy & World Languages
-- Team Achievement: University Police Department
-- Enhancing the Student Experience: Renette McCargo, Media & Communication
-- Rookie of the Year: Johnathan Martin, Facilities Management Recycling
-- Outstanding Part-Time: Hillary Brooks, Bradbury Art Museum
-- STAR (Service, Teamwork, Attitude, Reliability): Harvey Lee, Information Technology Services

During the Distinguished Performance Awards and Service Recognition ceremony for non-faculty employees, 21 employees who have or will retire during the 2015-16 year will be recognized. Lois Jean Travis, Small Business Development Center, has the longest time of service, 39 years. Combined, the retirees have 484 years of experience. The other retirees and area from which they are retiring are: Marilyn Brewer, Student Affairs, 31 years; Amy Brown, Printing Services, 26 years; Chris Collins, Academic Affairs & Research, 15 years; Faye Crawford, University Police Department, 21 years; Polly Cronos, Human Resources, 14 years; Robin Hicks, Academic Affairs & Research, 25 years; Phyllis Johnson, College of Agriculture & Technology, 25 years.

Others are Sherry Johnson, Office of the Chancellor, 31 years; Kathryn C. Jones, Institutional Research, 34 years; Jackie McLeod, Residence Life, 11 years; Curtis L. Miller, College of Media & Communication, 27 years; Kathy Newberry, Academic Affairs & Research, 12 years; Renee O'Connor, College of Fine Arts, 38 years; Robin Pawson, Political Science, 7 years; Roy L. Perry, Information & Technology Services, 16 years; Elaine Mayo Poynter, Alumni Relations, 21 years; Sam Shannon, Information & Technology Services, 35 years; Al Stoverink, Facilities Management, 10 years; Dorothy Thweatt, Information & Technology Services, 36 years; and Juanita Barr Turner, Childhood Services, 10 years.

The Excellence in Diversity Awards, presented at a recent campus ceremony, recognizes efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion. Dr. Thillainatarajan Sivakumaran (left), executive director of Global Initiatives, is a 2016 recipient in recognition of his efforts to make A-State a destination university for international students. Other recipients are Brandon Haley, a senior health studies major, and Gina Gomez, executive director of Hispanic Community Services, Inc., in Jonesboro.

Three staff members -- Lorerinda Budd, College Of Business; Jeff Gulley, Facilities Management; and Sharon McDaniel, Office of Admissions & Records -- have achieved 30 years of service at A-State this year. Eight individuals have attained 20 years of service: Jane Coburn, Disability Services; Rosemary Freer, Testing Center; Elizabeth Jennings, Library; Helen J. McCoy, Facilities Management; Teresa Patterson, Information & Technology Services; Sheryl Puckett, Campus Card Office; Cheryl Richey, Facilities Management; and Natalie Turney, English, Philosophy & World Languages. These and 42 additional employees with 10 years of service will be recognized during the Distinguished Performance Awards and Service Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, May 10.