Staff Recognition Reception Celebrates Nearly 500 Employees, Draws Largest Crowd Yet

The University of Arkansas transformed the Faulkner Performing Arts Center into a celebration for staff Thursday, Oct. 1, as hundreds of employees gathered for the annual Staff Recognition Reception honoring nearly 500 staff members for service milestones, staff awards and academic achievement.

The event marked a continued evolution of the university's employee recognition program put on by the Office of Human Resources. Following record attendance at last year's reception, the celebration moved to the Faulkner Performing Arts Center to accommodate a growing number of honorees and attendees. The evolved format included a reception with refreshments, recognition displays for some of the university's longest serving staff, university leadership remarks and an interactive awards program culminating in "Calling the Hogs" lead by Chancellor Robinson and Provost Chaubey.

With nearly 500 employees recognized, this year's reception celebrated more staff members than ever before and highlighted the critical role staff play in advancing the university's mission.

"Today, we celebrate you," said Amy Ochoa, senior associate vice chancellor for human resources, as she welcomed attendees. "The University of Arkansas thrives because of the dedication, creativity and care of our staff. You are crucial to how far the university has come and how we reach higher every day."

The reception honored a wide range of employee achievements, including recent university staff graduates, Employees of the Quarter, Employees of the Year, scholarship recipients, outstanding team and employees celebrating service anniversaries ranging from five to 50 years.

One of the afternoon's featured recognitions was the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Student Services Team, recipient of the Outstanding Staff Team Award. The team was recognized for its collaborative efforts in supporting student success and advancing the university's mission.  

Service milestones represented the largest group of honorees. This year, 172 employees celebrated five years of service, 93 employees reached 10 years and 56 employees marked 15 years with the university. Additional employees were recognized for 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service. The university also recognized James K. Miller of the School of Law for reaching an extraordinary 50-year service milestone.

The Staff Recognition Reception is part of the university's ongoing commitment to recognizing employee achievement and strengthening its reputation as an employer of choice. By expanding the event experience and honoring more employees than ever before, the university continues to invest in the people whose daily work supports student success and institutional excellence.