News

A-State Presents Distinguished Performance Awards to Staff

A-State Presents Distinguished Performance Awards to Staff

From left, Dr. Latika Johnson, Rebekah Gass, Kevin Hennings, Donald "Andrew" Bearden, Sharon Lee (who received a 45-year service award), Joycelynne Williams, and Molly Alexander-Steele. Photo: Arkansas State University


Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – The 33rd annual Distinguished Performance Awards at Arkansas State University were presented to seven staff members and one departmental team.  

The annual campus ceremony for non-faculty employees was conducted by members of the Staff Senate. The recognitions were presented by members of the award committee: Dr. Tiffany Mosley, Angela Daniels, Dr. Pamela Henderson, Kelly Sabin and Ian Buchanan.

The Distinguished Performance Award recipients are: 

  • Enhancing the Student Experience – Joycelynne Williams, academic success coach, Transition Studies 
  • STAR (Service, Teamwork, Attitude, Reliability) – Molly Alexander-Steeleexecutive director for research development, Research and Technology Transfer 
  • Unsung Hero – Kevin Hennings, assistant director of accreditation, Office of Accreditation and Assessment 
  • Team Player – Rebekah Gass, public safety dispatcher, University Police Department
  • Rookie of the Year – Dr. Latika Johnson, director, Multicultural Affairs  
  • Outstanding Part-Time Award – Jayla White, Dean B. Ellis Library 
  • Team Achievement Award – Procurement Services 

This year, a new award was presented by Chancellor Todd Shields. The Chancellor’s Medal of Honor for Staff Excellence is presented to a staff member who has shown a myriad of traits, including a commitment to excellence, contributions beyond job duties, and excellent customer service and campus impact.

ADD US ON GOOGLE NEWS: Click here to see more local news from Jonesboro Right Now

The winner of the inaugural award is Donald “Andrew” Bearden, academic adviser in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. 

Members of Procurement Services, winners of the Team Achievement Award (from left), Callie Williams, Mike Smith, Lisa Glasco and Craig Estes. (Source: Arkansas State University) 

The award nominees are individuals who exemplify professionalism and dedication to excellence in service who perform above the standard to enhance quality at A-State. 

The program also included recognition of retiring staff members and those achieving service milestones of five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 years. 

The Distinguished Performance Awards program was initiated in 1994 to recognize outstanding job performance and long-time service by the university’s non-faculty employees, both classified and non-classified. 

| DAILY BRIEF: Sign up for the Jonesboro Right Now Daily Brief Newsletter

This Week in Jonesboro

Music News

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Dutch court allows rapper Ye concerts in the Netherlands

A judge in Amsterdam on Wednesday rejected an appeal by a Jewish organization to block two performances by the rapper Ye, formerly Kanye West, ruling that the concerts are not a threat to public order.

1 week ago in Entertainment, Music

The Chicks announce intimate ‘Taking the Long Way’ 20th Anniversary Tour. ‘This is our lives’

Call it a comeback, a crossover moment, or both. Twenty years ago, The Chicks released their blockbuster 2006 album "Taking the Long Way" — their first full-length after the country music industry turned their backs on them — and one of the biggest of their career.

3 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Ella Langley dominates the ACM Awards and Cody Johnson wins entertainer of the year

Cody Johnson won entertainer of the year, but it was Ella Langley's night from the start. The first honor of the Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday was for the coveted song of the year, given to Langley for the crossover hit "Choosin' Texas," presented to her by Michael Bublé.

3 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

New Wings exhibit traces Paul McCartney’s reinvention as husband, father and bandleader

The largest collection of Paul McCartney's personal artifacts ever publicly displayed is part of a new exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame centering on his life after The Beatles.

3 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Shakira and Burna Boy release official 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem, ‘Dai Dai’

As the song demands: "Let's go!" The Colombian superstar Shakira and Afrobeats icon Burna Boy have teamed up for "Dai Dai," the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.