University employees enjoy the plant swap at a previous year’s Staff Appreciation Week. The week includes a variety of activities to honor and entertain Ole Miss staff members. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi Staff Council will kick off summer by celebrating Ole Miss staff members with Staff Appreciation Week, set for June 1-4.
The weeklong celebration will include learning opportunities, fun and active events and social gatherings. Staff and faculty members are also invited to access the Turner Center and South Campus Recreation Center free of charge throughout the month, just by showing their university ID card.
Here is a full schedule of events:
Tuesday (June 1)
Pancakes with Senior Leaders – 8-9 a.m., Rebel Market. Join Chancellor Glenn Boyce and his leadership team for some hotcakes.
Staff Appreciation Awards ceremony – 9:30-10:30 a.m., Inn at Ole Miss Ballroom. Employees who have served the university from 20 years up to 52 years will be recognized during this ceremony. The university also will recognize outstanding staff members.
Note that the in-person portion of the Staff Awards Ceremony will be limited to those persons who will be receiving recognition for 20, 25 and 30-52 years of service, team service awards, EEO category nominees, and overall staff member of the year. The event will be live-streamed and the link will be shared on http://staffcouncil.olemiss.edu.
Employees recognized for 5, 10 and 15 years of service should not attend the event, but may pick up their pins and certificates on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at the Gertrude C. Ford Student Union lobby at the Grove entrance.
Ice Cream and Sweets – 2-3 p.m., Rebel Market. Meet the university’s newest vice chancellor, Wheeler native and Ole Miss alumnus Steven Holley, vice chancellor for administration and finance, and enjoy soft-serve ice cream and warm cookies.
Paint Ole Miss – 4-5 p.m., Tad Smith Coliseum. Studio Whimzy will instruct the painting of something Ole Miss. Employees get a free takeaway after the event to hang in their offices. No art experience or skill required. Reserve your spot by signing up at the Staff Council website.
Wednesday (June 2)
Music and Meditation – 10-11 a.m., Paris Yates Chapel. Inspirational messages and music will be shared from some of the university’s talented staff members and music favorites.
Five-, 10- and 15-year pin and certificate pickup – 10-11:30 a.m., Student Union lobby at the Grove entrance.
Blood Drive – 10 a.m-3 p.m., the Circle. Mississippi Blood Services will have a bus in the Circle throughout the day for anyone who wants to donate blood. All donors get a T-shirt, along with prizes and giveaways.
Learn Hands-only CPR – Noon-1 p.m., Turner Center Auditorium. Learn the basics of first aid and CPR through a demonstration of safety procedures.
Bike the South Campus Rail Trails – Noon-1 p.m., South Campus Recreation Center. Join Ole Miss Outdoors on a bike ride through the rail trails. Sign up by emailing omod@olemiss.edu or calling 915-6735 to reserve your bike. Limit 10 per session.
BINGO with Chancellor Boyce – 2-3:30 p.m., Inn at Ole Miss Ballroom. Great prizes!
Thursday (June 3)
Five-, 10- and 15-year pin and certificate pickup – 10-11:30 a.m., Student Union lobby at the Grove entrance.
Blood Drive – 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the Circle. Mississippi Blood Services will be back for anyone wanting to donate blood.
Line Dancing 101 – 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Grove Stage. Join Facilities Management’s Rod Wilson, aka DJ Smack, for instructional line dancing.
Bike the South Campus Rail Trails – Noon-1 p.m., South Campus Recreation Center. Join Ole Miss Outdoors on a bike ride through the rail trails. Sign up by emailing omod@olemiss.edu or calling 915-6735 to reserve your bike. Limit 10 per session.
Perks with Pam Johnson – 12:30-1:30 p.m., Student Union, Room 124. Learn about retirement, PERS, university benefits, 403b plans and related topics from our university expert.
Family Pool Night – 4-6 p.m., Turner Center. Come swim and experience the high dive! Enter through the rear doors of the Turner Center.
Friday (June 4)
Five-, 10- and 15-year pin and certificate pickup – 10-11:30 a.m., Student Union lobby at the Grove entrance.
Staff Appreciation Lunch – 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the Circle. Present ticket and receive T-shirt.
Table Tennis Tournament – 12:30-2 p.m., Facilities Management break room.
Pickle Ball – 12:30-2:30 a.m., Turner Center, Court 1.
Cornhole – 1-3 p.m., the Circle.
Plant Swap – 1-2:30 p.m., Grove Stage. Bring a plant (or more) and swap them with friends to add variety to homes with duplicate plants. Join Ann O’Dell and other Lafayette County Master Gardeners for information and plant knowledge.
Paint Ole Miss with Studio Whimzy – 2-3 p.m., Tad Smith Coliseum.