Keep Calm & Carry On

View tribute videos and enjoy the "Great Andrews Bake Off"

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The theme for the 2017 Andrews University Faculty & Staff Awards Celebration was “Keep Calm and Carry On,” honoring the British heritage of President Andrea Luxton as a continuation of her inaugural year events.

On Sunday, March 5, hundreds of faculty and staff gathered in the Howard Performing Arts Center for the event recognizing their coworkers and colleagues. The evening’s entertainment was a collection of British-themed acts and events, including the evening’s famous hosts, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, portrayed by Susan Zork, assistant professor of religion, and Stephen Zork, professor of music.

In “A Nod to the Isles,” David Ortiz, tenor, performed “Danny Boy,” the well-known Irish tune by Frederic Weatherly. Carole Woolford-Hunt, chair of the Department of Graduate Psycholoy & Counseling, delivered an oration from the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) Anthology of Verse and Prose.

Continuing the program, Stephen Payne, vice president for Integrated Marketing & Communication, performed a William Wilberforce monologue. C3LLOS, a student group which won AUSA's talent show this year, comprised of Brandon Shin, Andrew Gagiu and Jeremy Ahn, presented a fun medley of The Beatles tunes. Additionally, Scott Moncrieff, professor of English, and Peter Lyons, assistant professor of biology, performed a modernized excerpt from Shakespeare titled, “Hamlet 2017.”

A special feature of the evening was the pre-recorded Andrews University version of “The Great British Bake Off,” featuring “chefs” Dominique Wakefield, director for University Health & Wellness, Oliver Glanz, associate professor of Old Testament in the Seminary, and Myrna Constantine, office manager for the Department of Music. The three competed for the judges’ votes by crafting a classic British culinary item. The winning dish was Constantine’s English berry trifle. All three desserts were served as Tea & Afters at the conclusion of the evening’s program.

"What a wonderful trip down memory lane," says President Luxton of the event. "It was a great mix of celebration, good humor, wonderful food and collegiality."

Each year at this event faculty and staff are given recognition through the Years of Service Awards, Excellence in Service Awards, Faith Development Leadership Award, Daniel A. Augsburger Excellence in Teaching Awards, and Siegfried H. Horn Excellence in Research & Creative Scholarship Awards.

At the end of the ceremony, Artur Stele, chair of the Board of Trustees, gave the closing remarks and prayer.

"I'd like to add my congratulations to those who received awards this evening," he said. "It is especially heartwarming to see how much you all continue to express fondness for your president. It means a lot to the Board of Trustees."

Award Recipients

Notes: Click on each name to view the award presentation for each recipient and the history of the Horn Research and Augsburger Awards.

Siegfried H. Horn Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship Award

This award was established in 2011 to honor Siegfried Horn’s legacy of scholarship and contribution to the field of biblical archaeology at Andrews University, and his impact upon the world church and the wider community of scholars. It recognizes the lifetime scholarship achievement of Andrews University faculty members in four separate categories. Award recipients, who must be associate or full professors and full-time employees for a minimum of five years, are selected by the membership of the Scholarly Research Council.

This year’s recipients are:

Pure & Applied Sciences: Tiffany Summerscales, associate professor of physics
Arts, Humanities and Education: Herb Helm, professor of psychology
Religion & Theology: Denis Fortin, professor of theology
Professional Programs: Kathleen Demsky, director, Architecture Resource Center, associate professor of library science

Staff Excellence in Service Award

The recipients of this award are hourly or salaried full- or part-time staff who have served for at least three consecutive years, and have not previously received the award. The award is given in recognition of outstanding service to the University, the church and the community, and for demonstrating, by precept and example, a Christ-centered life.

This year’s recipients are Mordekai Ongo, research integrity and compliance officer; Glenda Patterson, MA in religion and Seminary affiliations and extensions; and Dalry Payne, executive assistant to the president.

Daniel A. Augsburger Excellence in Teaching Award

This award recognizes faculty whose teaching reflects the high standards of excellence modeled by Daniel A. Augsburger in his 60 years of teaching at Andrews University. Augsburger’s leadership, academic rigor, breadth of knowledge, teacher-scholar role, along with care and concern for students, exemplify the best of faculty endeavors. As of this year, faculty, staff or students nominate candidates for this award.

This year’s recipients are Rahel Schafer, assistant professor of biblical studies, and Hyveth Williams, professor of homiletics.

Faith Development Leadership Award

This honor is awarded to any employee who has made a significant contribution to the spiritual life of campus.

This year’s honoree is Ryan Hayes, associate professor of chemistry.

35 Years of Service Awards

Ruth Gardner, manager and postmaster, Central Mail Service

Tari Popp, director, Office of Planned Giving & Trust Services

30 Years of Service Awards

Mari Aker, administrative office assistant, University Apartments

Duane McBride, professor of sociology

Loretta Nave, executive assistant, Financial Administration

Allen Wellborn, manager, Custodial Services

25 Years of Service Awards

Richard Choi, chair, Department of New Testament, Seminary

Sharon Dudgeon, general manager, WAUS

James Ford, curator, Center for Adventist Research

Steven Nash, assistant to the deans for finance and strategic planning, Seminary

Terry Robertson, seminary librarian, associate professor of library science

Dianne Staples, associate professor of English

Carla Trynchuk, professor of music

Robert Zdor, professor of biology

Stephen Zork, professor of music

Susan Zork, assistant professor of religion

Additionally, the evening recognized employees with 20, 15, 10 and 5 years of service to Andrews University.