Staff Senate

The Staff Senate was established for the purpose of shared governance in May 2002.

The mission of the Staff Senate is to:

Represent non-faculty employees of Athens State University (Staff).
Serve in an advisory capacity to the President of the University with respect to matters pertaining to the Staff of the university.
Provide a means of communication to the Staff of the University.
Provide a forum for all Staff of the University.

Hosted a Walking Challenge and Health Fair on “Wear Red Day” in conjunction with Healthy Heart Awareness
Passed out pink ribbons in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October
Encouraged the inclusion of staff accomplishments in the Campus Ledger
Added the Staff Senate information to the Athens State website
Continued the “All in a Day’s Work” program at monthly meetings where staff members do a presentation on the responsibilities of their office
Served as a Focus Group for the Vision 2020 ten‐year campus plan
Worked on the revision of the Performance Evaluation tool for Staff
Oversees the Professional Development Fund for Staff
Hosted the Staff Appreciation Luncheon – Guest Speaker Rusty Johnson, the VPs formed the receiving line
Provided workbooks and materials from the Staff Professional Development Fund for in‐house computer training
Participated in the United Way Day of Caring
Participated in the ‘Seven Habits Workshop’
Decorated the courtyard with white lights for the holidays
Served as hosts and facilitators for the E-Learning Symposium
Held a fund drive for a Memorial Bench for Rita Harden
Sold red carnations for Valentine’s Day
Gave the Staff a formal voice on all administrative and University issues
The Staff Senate now has a permanent seat on all planning bodies of the University
Began the “Outstanding Staff Member of the Year” award, which became the “John Booty Murray” Award
Brought in motivational speaker Alan Mann who spoke to Faculty/Staff to “Just Say It”
Hosted “Athens State Night” at the Huntsville Havoc and Huntsville Stars games to boost morale
Had a major part in initiating the staff and faculty service recognition awards
Hosted the Staff Appreciation Luncheon; the VP’s were asked to serve the lunch
Held a FERPA training workshop

Staff Senate Meet and Greets

At the request of staff members, the Athens State University Staff Senate began a series of Staff Senate Meet and Greets this spring. The sessions were created to give staff members the opportunity to get together to learn what different departments on campus do, meet the employees in those departments, and to learn about what their roles are.

The Meet and Greets will be offered once a semester and each one will feature a different department on campus. Athens Teaching & Learning Innovation Services (ATLIS) hosted the first session, which was attended by about 60 people and received several positive reviews.

The Staff Senate presents the John “Booty” Murray Outstanding Staff Member of the Year Award. Renamed in 2008 at the suggestion of former Staff Senate President and Basketball Coach Larry Keenum, the award honors the legacy of longtime Athens College employee John “Booty” Murray following his passing. This award recognizes members of the Athens State staff who consistently go above and beyond in the performance of their job duties.

Past winners of this award include:

- Tim Crafton (2025)

- Kim Troupe (2024)

- Gina Lovett (2023)

- Jesse Hudgins (2022)

- Teresa Suit (2021)

- Tracy Hicks (2020)

- Penny Roberts (2019)

- Donald Evans (2018)

- Kimberly Troupe (2017)

- Nicole Johns (2016)

- Nicole Johns (2016)

- Kimberly Braden (2015)

- Dorothy Bartlow (2014)

- Damon Lares (2013)

- Dwight Lovell (2012)

- Tracy Hicks (2011)

- Tim Crafton (2010)

- Felicia Mucci (2009)

- Paula Bullington (2008)

- Joe Bullington (2007)

- Billy McClain (2006)

Staff Senate members

Jerry Stephens, Presiding Officer
Amber Martinez, Senator at Large

Senators

Lauren Blacklidge
Elizabeth Bowden
Kathryn Doaty
D.J. Doorenbos, Secretary
Magen Johnson
Jennifer Mares
Victoria Mould
Tricia Oleyte
Morgan Stanford
Gabrielle Whitney McGraw