Faculty/Staff News Now: 2020 Staff Excellence Award Winners; Fruits of Empire Available for Pre-order; Geauga/TAC Professor Wang Receives Fellowship; The Longest Day Returns; Financial Wellness: Pay Yourself First; Faculty Contemplates COVID-19

Stark Campus Announces 2020 Staff Excellence Award Winners

As Kent State University at Stark looks forward to the new academic year, Dean Denise A. Seachrist, Ph.D., announced the winners of the 2020 Staff Excellence Awards, while extending heartfelt gratitude to all campus staff.

“I want to thank you for supporting this institution and doing everything within your power to make every semester, this one especially, a successful one for our students,” said Seachrist. “Without all of you, our greater goal of educating the community doesn’t happen as effectively or efficiently.”

Staff and faculty have successfully transitioned day-to-day jobs from the office to home, embracing a temporary remote working environment spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seachrist said she is honored to announce this year’s Staff Excellence Award recipients: Darcy McBride, administrator of the year; and Mike Shipe, staff member of the year.


The Fruits of Empire By Shana Klein Available for Pre-order

A new book by Shana Klein, Assistant Professor of Art History, titled “The Fruits of Empire: Art, Food, and the Politics of Race in the Age of American Expansion” is now available for pre-order through the University of California Press website. The release date is scheduled for October 2020. Learn more.


The Longest Day® - Join us for a Week of Fun!

For the third consecutive year, the departments of Recreational Services and Employee Wellness have come together to sponsor The Longest Day® at Kent State, in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Association.

Alzheimer's disease is often referred to as "the long goodbye" because of its slow nature and lasting emotional and physical drain. In honor of people fighting the disease and those who love and care for them, the Alzheimer's Association encourages the public to host events on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice, while raising funds and awareness to advance Alzheimer's care, support and research.

We have a full week of activities planned to lead up to the summer solstice on June 20. Visit our Longest Day web page to learn about the many ways you can participate in this special week. 

Here are some highlights:

  • The Longest Day Photo Challenge - Get outside, have fun, and raise your awareness about Alzheimer's. Complete this activity on your own time during the week of June 15. Participants will be eligible for prizes too!
  • Differentiating Dementias Webinar - Join Kelsey Loushin, LICDC, on June 18 from 9-10 am to learn the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease, as well as resources to support caregivers and those in need of care. Eligible for Tier 2 points and open to all employees.
  • Join Us for THREE virtual workouts and a social hour - Sunrise and sunset yoga, and a midday active social hour on Friday, June 19.

This event is open to all full and part-time faculty and staff.  Individuals that are participating in the Wellness Your Way Rewards Program can also earn “Move for a Cause Points” for Tier 2.  To learn more about this special week commemorating The Longest Day 2020, click here


Financial Wellness Webinar: Pay Yourself First

As part of our continuing focus on financial well-being, Employee Wellness is happy to announce our financial wellness offering, Pay Yourself First.  Our presenter will be Victor Russell of Apprisen. Apprisen is a non-profit organization committed to financial well-being and Victor is both knowledgeable and a seasoned presenter. Pay Yourself First will be delivered remotely via webinar on Tues., June 16, from noon – 1 p.m.

Throughout this session, you will learn strategies on building wealth, how to build assets and reduce liabilities, and obtain basic information regarding different savings strategies that promote asset building. Register to attend this informative session here.

This presentation is open to all full- and part-time faculty and staff. For employees participating in the Wellness Your Way Rewards Program, each session is worth 10 points toward your Tier 2 total. For upcoming financial wellness offerings, check our Financial Wellness Programming page regularly for current offerings.


Faculty Contemplating COVID-19 Series Continues

Community Engaged Learning has created a landing page that currently features three interviews in its ongoing series about faculty dealing with COVID-19.

In this new weekly series, Kent State faculty members from a variety of academic disciplines are interviewed for their thought-provoking perspectives about the ongoing pandemic.

The newest editions feature J. Leigh Garcia and Julie Mazzei, Ph.D. https://www.kent.edu/community/contemplating-covid-19. Learn more.

POSTED: Monday, June 1, 2020 08:33 AM
Updated: Friday, May 29, 2020 02:32 PM