Win a prize, hit a ball or take a stroll — or perhaps even all three — during the 33rd annual Staff Day May 19.
Drawings, golf and tours are just a few of the many activities offered at Staff Day, a day-long celebration organized by the Office of Human Resources to recognize Danforth Campus staff members and show the University’s appreciation for their work throughout the year.
“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.”
Staff Day kicks off with a Service Awards ceremony, hosted by Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, at Edison Theatre at 10 a.m. The ceremony will honor those with 10, 15, 20, 26 and 30-plus years of service to the University.
Wrighton also will present the 11th annual Gloria W. White Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes a Danforth Campus nonacademic staff member for his or her exceptional effort and contribution to the University.
Next on the schedule is a buffet lunch, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at Bowles Plaza. If there is inclement weather, lunch will be held in the Mallinckrodt Student Center. Tickets, which are required for the lunch, are free and can be obtained at staffday.wustl.edu.
After lunch, those preferring to take it easy can have a caricature drawn (12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Mallinckrodt Student Center), play bingo (1:30-3 p.m. at Holmes Lounge), or take a tour of the Danforth Campus (1 p.m. at Brookings Archway) or the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum (all afternoon).
For employees wanting a bit more action in their afternoons, Staff Day offers:
• Golf at Forest Park Golf Course. Those signed up for golf must be at the clubhouse by 11:30 a.m. for lunch, and tee times start at 12:15 p.m.
• Softball at the Women’s Softball Field. The opening pitch is 1 p.m. Either sign up with a team or by yourself and you will be assigned a team. Contact Tom Lauman at tomlauman@wustl.edu or 935-5967.
• Volleyball at the Athletic Complex. The first game starts at 1:30 p.m. To sign up, contact Jeff Herman at Jeff_Herman@wustl.edu or 935-5984 or Donna Hall at DHall22@wustl.edu or 935-4650.
• Washers at Mudd Field. The first toss is at 1 p.m. To sign up, contact Karen Rose at Karen.t.rose@wustl.edu or 935-5561.
• Bike ride through Forest Park. This ride begins at 1:30 p.m. at the bottom of the steps at Brookings Hall. Please bring your own bike.
• WU Walks through the Danforth Campus. The walk starts at 1 p.m. in front of Graham Chapel.
The day culminates with a presentation of trophies and drawings for prizes at 3:30 p.m. at Bowles Plaza. Among the prizes offered are Cardinals tickets, American Airlines travel vouchers and restaurant gift cards.
Free Ted Drewes frozen custard will be offered during the presentation.
“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,” Prenatt said. “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.”
While WUSTL employees celebrate and relax on Staff Day, the University also asks staff members to please remember those less fortunate and drop off a canned food item outside of Edison Theatre. All donations will go to the St. Louis Area Food Bank. During last year’s Staff Day, WUSTL employees donated 196 pounds of canned food.
For more information about the Staff Day event schedule and locations, contests and prizes, visit staffday.wustl.edu or e-mail staffday@wustl.edu.