CoffeeBreak is an e-newsletter distributed to Averett faculty and staff to keep them up-to-date on campus activities and information. Please send information you would like included in CoffeeBreak via this form by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, for a Wednesday, Dec. 6, publication. CoffeeBreak entries submitted past the deadline will not be accepted.
National Society of Leadership and Success Induction Ceremony
The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) is the largest leadership honor society. Students are selected by their college for membership based on either academic standing or leadership potential. The society recently held their induction ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 18, and inducted 13 new members.
The society also honored several staff and faculty members for their commitment and excellence in the areas of teaching and service. Kennsel Anderson, Courtney Leddy and Drew Wilson received the Honorary Membership Award for their dedication to Averett and its students. Shelbilyn Boelsche, Dr. Catherine Clark and Thomas Underwood were awarded with the Excellence in Teaching Award for their commitment to grow our students. Tammy Jackson, Lynnette Lawson and Tia Yancey were honored with the Excellence in Service Award for their willingness to serve others within the Averett community. The NSLS would like to thank them again for all of their hard work. Please congratulate them if you see them around campus!
Golden Bagel Nominations
Congratulations to Mike Fisher, assistant director of facilities, who won the second Golden Bagel award! The Golden Bagel trophy will be awarded every month at staff meetings, to the staff member of the month. Nominations can be sent to [email protected], with details about why you think your co-worker is deserving of the award.
Remember, there is no staff meeting in December. Please send in your nomination for January! For those who missed the story behind the Golden Bagel award, it was created by Staff Council as a fun way to show our appreciation for each other and create pride among staff members. The trophy stays with the staff member of the month, during that month, and then is passed to the next at the following staff meeting! A big thank you to Dan Hayes for telling Staff Council about a similar Golden Bagel award that was given out around 10 years ago!
GPS Student Spotlight
Meet Rebecca Hodges, a student pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree who is expected to graduate in 2018. To see her on the GPS blog, click here.
QUESTION: Why did you choose Averett’s GPS program?
ANSWER: “The GPS program allows me to easily manage being a mom, wife, employee and college student.”
TIAA Representative on Campus Today
Matthew Meade, our TIAA representative, will be in Main 131 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. today, Nov. 29. He has taken the appointment scheduler offline so folks can be free to stop by. He will be able to speak with you to address your questions and concerns during those hours on a first come/first serve basis. Call or email Kathie Tune with questions at (434) 791-7106 or [email protected].
Criminal Justice Club Fundraiser
You are invited to a fish fry, hamburger and hot dog cookout today, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Student Center lawn. The Criminal Justice Club will be cooking whiting fish, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. All proceeds go towards the newly formed club and Averett’s Alpha Upsilon Lambda chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association-Lambda Alpha Epsilon.
Christmas Dinner in the Café
In honor of the upcoming holiday, join us in the café for a special dinner as part of the Averett Celebrates Christmas festivities tomorrow, Nov. 30. The café will feature carved prime rib, festive salads, succulent sides, shrimp and decadent deserts along with many other offerings. We look forward to seeing you! This event will have special pricing. All taxes included: adults: $12.25, children 6-12 years of age: $8.60; children five and under: no charge; $5.25 surcharge for faculty and staff with meal plans.
Averett Celebrates Christmas
Tomorrow, Nov. 30, the Averett Music Department renews the tradition of “Averett Celebrates Christmas” with a collaboration of student and community performers. Join us to awaken your Christmas spirit at 7 p.m. in Pritchett Auditorium. Admission is free!
eSport Relaxation
Faculty and staff…the first semester is almost over! It has been a long semester and we want to invite you to our eSports room, “THE CAPACITOR,” to try out some of our really cool equipment. We have our virtual reality setup called Oculus Rift, which will have tremendous educational impact across many fields including biology, aeronautics, history and theatre. Plus it is super cool – just ask Dr. Franks. Even if you just want to come and relax, we have multiple games for everyone to try. So please come down any time during Reading Day, tomorrow, Nov. 30, and enjoy the eSports room!
Averett Family Holiday Celebration
President Tiffany Franks and Joe Franks invite you and a guest to the Averett Family Holiday Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 7, from 4:30 – 7 p.m. at the President’s Home, 500 Hawthorne Dr. You may RSVP to Cyndie Basinger by phone at (434) 791-5671 or by email to [email protected].
Winter Commencement
Winter Commencement will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. Those wishing to attend commencement, except faculty/staff included in the procession and graduates, will need a ticket, including children of any age. Tickets (one per person) for students and staff, other than graduating seniors may be picked up at the Dean of Students office beginning Thursday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. If you would like to make arrangements to pick up your ticket you may email Tammy Jackson at [email protected]. Commencement questions from graduating seniors should be directed to Katie Johnston at [email protected]. Commencement questions from faculty and staff should be directed to Mary Sullivan at [email protected].
Have You Moved?
If you moved during 2017, please let Pam Paynter know so your current address is on your W-2 by emailing at [email protected]. Also, let Pam know if you changed your name (marriage, divorce, etc). And remember: if you don’t log in and consent to receiving your W-2 electronically (the box is on the upper right side of the screen in the my-estub.com employee portal), your W-2 will be mailed to you. Mailed W-2s will be coming from Florida, so you will not be able to come to the business office to pick them up.
Wellness Plan, e-Health Screenings and Premium Discounts, oh my!
An important reminder to all full-time health benefits eligible employees: A wellness screening is required to receive and continue to receive the premium discount for the 2018 plan year. If you have not had a biometric screening on campus, please make sure to schedule one with your physician. The physician submission form and corresponding instructions are located here. If you have questions, please contact Tammy Wall, benefits coordinator, at [email protected] or Kathie Tune, director of human resources, at [email protected].
Social Media Policy and Directory
As we get closer to Christmas break, the Office of Marketing and Communications wants to remind you about the Social Media Policy regarding Averett University Affiliated Accounts. As part of Averett’s 2020 Strategic Plan, the Brand Excellence committee, in conjunction with the Office of Marketing and Communications, produced Averett’s official Social Media Policy, which is on the intranet under Policy Library, then click Policies, and scroll down to Institutional Advancement and Marketing: 400 series.
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to look it over. Along with the policy, the website now has a list of University Affiliated Accounts, which can be found by clicking here. If your department’s account is not listed, please contact Danielle Staub at (434) 791-5681 or [email protected].
Also, as stated in the policy, if you are the administrator of an University Affiliated Account, please email Staub, with your Twitter and Instagram account username and password for the excel sheet, and to discuss Facebook administrator steps.
Mindset Minute: Averett’s QEP
Have you helped a student think with a growth mindset today? Need ideas for encouraging students? Each week we will provide a snapshot into the world of growth mindset research and practice through “Mindset Minute,” where you can check back for tips!
Growth Mindset Tip of the Week: Use the word, “yet.” Carol Dweck says “not yet” has become one of her favorite phrases. When ever you are struggling with a task, remind yourself that you haven’t mastered it “yet.”
