Tulane celebrates employees' service and accomplishments
Nearly 400 university employees representing a combined 4,560 years of service, were invited by the Office of Human Resources to celebrate their milestone anniversaries as Tulane staff members during the annual Unified Recognition Event held Friday, April 6, at the Roosevelt Hotel.
Also honored during the event were recipients of the President’s Staff Excellence Awards, as well as student employee and student supervisor of the year.
“Last year, we changed the way that we hold this event by bringing everyone together to celebrate their accomplishments,” said Patrick Norton, senior vice president and chief operating officer.
“The people in this room are what make us great and are part of the university’s magic and culture.”
— Tulane President Mike Fitts
“It’s inspiring when you think of how much the world has changed since all of the honorees in this room first walked through the doors of this great institution,” said Shantay Bolton, vice president of human resources.
Leading the attendees on a trip back in time to 1972, Bolton asked the audience to reflect on the average cost of a home, gas prices and popular music during that year.
“This was also a significant year, because we have one individual who started her career at Tulane,” said Bolton, inviting Sheila Favalora, senior program manager for academics at The Payson Graduate Program in Global Development, to join her onstage.
“I am very fortunate to have worked at Tulane,” said Favalora. “For the past 20 years, I have worked with students in an academic program, and this, by far, has been the best experience. They keep me challenged and young.”
This year, the ceremony also introduced the Student Employment Recognition Awards to honor the university’s large population of student employees and their supervisors.
“At Tulane, over 40 percent of our workforce is comprised of student employees,” said Renee Sneed, assistant vice president of human resources.
Melody Haskell, a political science and international relations major working with the Shuttles and Transportation Office, was named the Student Employee of the Year, and Meredith Krall, senior academic advisor for student athletes, was the recipient of the Student Supervisor of the Year award.
The ceremony also acknowledged President’s Staff Excellence Award recipients as well as individuals participating in the New Hire Buddy Program and the Lean Six Sigma Program — two new programs implemented by the Office of Human Resources.
“This university is all about people. The people in this room are what make us great and are part of the university’s magic and culture,” added Tulane President Mike Fitts.
