Claflin University Salutes Employees for Commitment to Excellence

From left: Mrs. Jean Harper, Mr. Michael Fairwell, Mrs. Sadie Jarvis, Ms. Katherine Boyd and Dr. Henry N./ Tisdale

By Helene Carter

Claflin University held its Thirteenth Annual Rewards and Recognition Luncheon on May 8, 2007 in Tullis Arena with Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, Claflin’s president, commending faculty and staff for their strong and steadfast commitment to excellence.  Dr. Tisdale thanked employees for their contributions and dedicated service that led to the university becoming one of America’s best ranked nationally in the top tier among high performance institutions.

 

Mrs. Geneva Williams (center) accepts a bouquet of long stem red roses from Claflin University President, Dr. Henry N. Tisdale (right) and the Vice President for Student Development and Services, Dr. Leroy Durant (left).

Mrs. Geneva B. Williams, Assistant Chaplain, received a standing ovation for 55 years of service while one of her former students, President Henry N. Tisdale ‘65, presented a dozen of long-stemmed red roses to her.  Mrs. Williams has served as a music professor, choir director, church musician, residence hall director and continues to offer spiritual guidance to the Claflin family in her role as assistant chaplain.  Recently, Mrs. Williams garnered national recognition when she received an invitation from the United States Congress to attend the Congressional Gold Medal Award Ceremony in honor of her late husband, a Tuskegee Airman.  The ceremony took place in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

Mrs. Jean B. Harper, Administrative Assistant for Academic Affairs, was recognized as Administrative Support Employee of the Year.  During 44 years of service in Academic Affairs, Mrs. Harper has touched many young lives as they matriculated at Claflin.

Mrs. Sadie Jarvis, Director of Counseling/Disabilities/ADA and Wellness, was bestowed the Customer Service Award.  During 11 years of service, Mrs. Jarvis has overseen the welfare of students ensuring that they adjust to college life academically and socially.

Ms. Katherine R. Boyd, Dean of Enrollment, the recipient of the Administrative Employee of the Year Award, has, in collaboration with faculty and staff, rendered comprehensive services designed to recruit a cadre of talented and dedicated population of students at Claflin.  During her eight-year tenure, she has issued 2,254 diplomas to graduates.

Mr. Michael Fairwell, Video Studio Director, received the Professional Employee of the Year Award.  Mr. Fairwell has enriched the lives of many students majoring in Mass Communications and related fields during a decade of service to the University.  Mr. Fairwell assisted with the development of the Mass Communications Department established in fall 1997.

Mr. Eugene Allen, Special Assistant to the President and keynote speaker for the occasion, praised all of the awardees for their outstanding contributions to the university, and commented, “Your dedication and support of Claflin has contributed to the University becoming one of America’s best institutions.”

Also, the University awarded Years of Service Awards to 36 employees.

Annually, Claflin hosts the Rewards and Recognition program to acknowledge and express appreciation for outstanding contributions and devoted service made by employees at the Institution.  Eligible employees from each category are nominated for exceptional performance which relates to: Commitment to Excellence; Commitment to Valuing People; Commitment to being Customer Focused; Commitment to Quality Educational Programs; and Commitment to Financial Responsibility; Campus Involvement; and Relevant Factors.  Awards are made to full-time employees of the University who have been employed at Claflin for at least three consecutive years.

Claflin University, rated a top undergraduate research institution offering a comprehensive curriculum, has for the past nine consecutive years (1999-2007), been ranked in U.S. News & World Report as a top tier Comprehensive College.  Recently, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported that Claflin has the second highest retention rate among very selective HBCUs and Consumer Digest placed the University third in a national listing of the five best value private colleges and universities.