Staff Senate

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

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:

• Kerry Durham (2026)
• 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)
• 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)

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