Awards, fun and workshops highlight annual Staff Summit week

Chapman University honored its staff for outstanding service and contributions during its 2017 Staff Appreciation Awards Ceremony held Friday, June 30, in Musco Center for the Arts.

“I want you to know how important what you do is to the University and how grateful we are for the incredible work you put in day in and day out for the University,” President Daniele Struppa said. “As I go around the community talking about Chapman, people remark on how well we are doing. We are really an incredible inspiration to the entire Orange County community. And I always make sure to mention that this would really not be possible without the quality personnel that we have, both the staff and the faculty. The support you give us is what makes everything possible here.”

The President’s Award, the University’s highest staff honor in recognition of exemplary service, was presented to Adey Oyenuga, a procurement officer in the Purchasing Department.  Oyenuga is a 25-year employee at Chapman described in the award nomination letter written by his colleagues as a consummate team player.

“He is a true servant leader who sets the tone for the department and allows the whole team to excel,” his colleagues wrote.

The event capped off the weeklong Staff Summit, an annual week Chapman dedicates to staff, providing workshops, wellness activities and a mid-week brunch to honor its employees.

Other top awards presented at the ceremony included: Provost Award, Rita Desjardins, executive assistant to the dean of the Argyros School of Business and Economics; the Four Pillars Award, Mackenzie Crigger, sustainability manager in Facilities Management; and the University Advancement Awards, John Cowles, manager of University Advancement systems in University Advancement, and Char Williams, director, Institutional Events Management and Operations in Strategic Marketing and Communications.

Receiving Service Awards were: