Staff members celebrate as a friend earns a $100 gift card by winning a round of bingo during 2021 Staff Appreciation Week activities. Photo by Logan Kirkland/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
OXFORD, Miss. – From meditation in Paris Yates Chapel to hitting the trails on a bicycle, University of Mississippi staff members will have multiple opportunities to relax and make new connections during the annual Staff Appreciation Week, set for May 30 to June 2.
To kick off the celebration, the university will recognize outstanding staff at the annual Staff Awards Ceremony (May 30). University leadership will honor employees for their years of service to the university and highlight employees in each Equal Employment Opportunity category who went above and beyond.
“So many times, employees may not be rewarded or recognized for the important work they do,” said Deetra Wiley, Staff Council president. “Our theme for staff council this year is ‘striving for greatness together.’ This is a time for us to be united and to celebrate each other. We want staff to know you are very much appreciated.”
All events are free for staff. Register ahead of time at the links below for Bike the Rail Trails with Ole Miss Outdoors, the basketball tournament and Power Hike.
Staff members participate in the annual plant swap on the Union Plaza, where employees bring different plants to trade and learn about during Staff Appreciation Week. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
The university could not function without the staff who often work in the background and whose work is often not as well-known as that of other employees, said Jeremy Roberts, a Staff Council member and assistant director of academic support programs in the Center for Student Success and First Year Experience.
“Without them, it would be hard to keep this university going,” Roberts said. “We want to recognize all of the great things that staff does and this is our opportunity to say thank you.”
Planned Staff Appreciation Week events are:
Tuesday (May 30)
- Staff Awards Ceremony – 10-11 a.m., Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts
- Line Dancing – Noon-1 p.m., Johnson Commons Ballroom
- Bike the Rail Trails with Ole Miss Outdoors – Noon-1 p.m. Sign up here.
- Appreciation at work event – 2-3 p.m., Garland Annex, Room 111
- Karaoke After Hours – 5-7 p.m., Jackson Avenue Center atrium
Wednesday (May 31)
- Music and meditation – 9-10 a.m., Paris Yates Chapel
- Blood Drive – 11 a.m.-3 p.m., the Circle
- Bike the Rail Trails with Ole Miss Outdoors – Noon-1 p.m. Sign up here.
- Studio Whimzy Painting – Noon-1 p.m., Jackson Avenue Center Main Event Center
- Stretch and Flex – 2-3 p.m., Garland Annex, Room 111
Thursday (June 1)
- Bingo – 9-10 a.m., Jackson Avenue Center Main Event Center
- Blood Drive – 11 a.m.-3 p.m., the Circle
- Hands-on cooking class – 11 a.m.-noon, South Campus Recreation Center kitchen
- Studio Whimzy Painting – Noon-1 p.m., Jackson Avenue Center Main Event Center
- Family Fun Night – 5-7 p.m., South Campus Recreation Center front patio
Friday (June 2)
- Staff Appreciation Lunch – 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Circle
- Plant Swap – 12:30-2 p.m., Grove Stage (rain location: Johnson Commons banquet room)
- Table tennis tournament – 1-3:30 p.m., Facilities Management break room
- Cornhole tournament – 1-3:30 p.m., Facilities Management break room
- Pickleball – 12:30-1:30 p.m. is open play and practice time. Doubles tournaments start at 1:30-3:30 p.m., Turner Center Court
- Basketball – 1-3:30 p.m., Turner Center. Register here by May 26.
- High-energy dance cardio with Malik – 2-3 p.m., Turner Center, Room 305
- Nature Power Hike – 1-3:30 p.m. Sign up here.
- Bingo – 2-3:30 p.m., Jackson Avenue Center main event space