It’s perhaps the one day of the year when Hilltop Campus staff members are actually encouraged to take a long lunch, go play some golf or have a leisurely walk around campus for a couple of hours.
Whether you want to celebrate the end of the academic year with a competitive game of softball, tossing a few washers or just walking around Bushyhead Track, the University’s annual Staff Day offers something for just about everyone.
The 31st annual Staff Day celebration is May 22, with food and activities in great supply.
The event will honor staff for their contributions to the University’s success. This year’s edition will kick off at 10 a.m. with the Staff Service Award and Recognition Ceremony in Edison Theatre.
Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton will host the program and will be assisted by the University’s vice chancellors and deans. The ceremony will honor those with 10, 15, 20, 26 and 30-plus years of service.
Wrighton will present the ninth annual Gloria W. White Distinguished Service Award, recognizing a staff member for exceptional effort and contributions that result in the enhancement of the University.
A buffet lunch and social gathering will be at 11:30 a.m. in Bowles Plaza. In case of inclement weather, lunch will be in Mallinckrodt Student Center.
From 1-3 p.m., open activities for staff members include wallyball and racquetball, swimming, running on Bushyhead Track and use of the fitness center in the Athletic Complex.
Those preferring something less strenuous can have a caricature drawn or try their luck at bingo, bridge and other table games in Holmes Lounge. For more information, call Margo at 935-5679.
In addition, the following group activities will be available:
• Golf at Forest Park: Call Bev Owens at 935-6482. Golfers will have box lunches at the park before their 12:15 p.m. tee time. Greens fees, including carts, is $20. A men’s, ladies’ and mixed best-ball scramble will be offered.
• A Hilltop Campus tour: Call Jim Burmeister at 935-5801.
• A bike ride in Forest Park: Call Bobbe Winters at 935-6231.
• Softball: Contact Tom Lauman at tomlauman@wustl.edu. If you want to play but don’t have enough people to field a team, arrangements will be made to place you on a team.
• Volleyball: Call Jeff Herman at 935-5984 or Donna Hall at 935-4650.
• Washers tournament: E-mail Karen Rose at karen.t.rose@wustl.edu.
• WUSTL Walks: Call Betsy Foy at 935-7386.
Anyone needing an accommodation to attend Staff Day events should contact the Office of Human Resources at 935-5990.
At 3:30 p.m. in Bowles Plaza, winners of various activities will be presented with trophies, and there will be drawings for prizes.
Ted Drewes treats will be available — first-come, first-served — during the awards.
“Staff members at this University work very hard and contribute daily to the University’s success,” said Ann B. Prenatt, vice chancellor for human resources.
“They deserve their own day of recognition.
“A great deal of time and effort is put into the organizing and implementing of this event by the Staff Day Committee and the Office of Human Resources.
“All of that work is worth it when we see the smiles of those receiving service awards, colleagues enjoying the competitions and staff members just out having a fun afternoon.”
For more information, call 935-5990.