Spectrum - Volume 18 Issue 33 June 13, 1996 - Staff Appreciation Day successful

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Staff Appreciation Day successful

By Aryn Myers,
University Relations intern

Spectrum Volume 18 Issue 33 - June 13, 1996

Despite a rainy start, the fourth annual Virginia Tech Staff Appreciation Day featuring CommonHealth made for an enjoyable day at Rector Fieldhouse for participants. With more than 3,000 staff members in attendance, the day was considered a great success.

The highlight of the day was the CommonHealth Games. "We've been getting a lot of feedback. People really liked the games," said Bridget Mitchell, a CommonHealth employee who was on the committee that planned the event.

President Paul Torgersen started the four relay events that were held through two heats, an Orange heat and a Maroon heat. Participants competed in the Over-Under Ball Pass, the Balloon Buster, the Potato Sack Race, and a "Mystery Event."

The College of Veterinary Medicine came out on top with their teams "Udder Disaster" and "The Scrub-a-Dubs," winning three out of the four events. Other teams were the Physical Plant's "Service Rats," Environmental Health and Safety Services' "NO Risky Business," College of Agriculture's "Sodbusters," Information Systems' "Wizards of IS," College of Arts and Sciences' "Go Getters," College of Engineering's "Bad By Design," Personnel Services' "People Pleasers," Administrative Systems' "HRIS `R US," College of Human Resources' "Sizzlers" and University Relations and Development's "The Disgruntled Non-Postal Workers." A team made up of employees from departments across the campus also competed.

In addition to the relay games, 50 people participated in a low-impact aerobics class taught by CommonHealth aerobics instructor Monica Astroza. As an incentive to exercise, participants received a CommonHealth magnetic key holder as a gift. Once the weather cleared up at the end of the day, a small group went on a police-escorted walk.

For the picnic lunch, Virginia Tech Catering served the traditional fare of hot dogs and hamburgers. With the combination of Staff Appreciation Day and CommonHealth activities, healthier choices of grilled-chicken sandwiches, baked beans, fresh fruit, and frozen yogurt were also provided.

Another Staff Appreciation Day favorite was the appearance of a university employee band. Vince Crewey from Communications Network Services, Wendell Brown from Civil Engineering, Michael Dowdy and Steve Boone from the Physical Plant, and Scott Fore, Vic Baker, Tom Maynard, and Dave Francisco provided live music.

Staff Appreciation Day featuring CommonHealth was planned by a committee made up of appointees and volunteers co-chaired by Ann Spencer, the associate vice-president for personnel and administration, and Carole Nickerson, the executive assistant to the president. Members included Margie Murray of the president's office, Pat Ballard of the College of Agriculture, Brenda Husser and Barbara Townley of the Department of Sociology, Debbie Rhea of University Relations, Mitchell, of CommonHealth, Cindy Koziol of the Department of Psychology, Anthony Purcell of Virginia Tech Catering, and Tony Sutphin of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Mitchell, Townley, and Ballard, with the help of Gloria Smith, were also on a smaller committee that handled all of the CommonHealth activities of Staff Appreciation Day. The committee took suggestions from staff members while planning the event.

"It was great. We had a lot of fun and I hope we get to do it next year," Townley said.