Staff members with more than 200 years combined service retire
As the 2021-22 academic year comes to a close 黑料社 is proud to recognize the following staff who are retiring after years of dedicated service to the campus community.
Yvonne Morley retired on Sept. 30, 2021, after nearly three decades in the President鈥檚 Office. As the executive assistant to the president and assistant secretary of the board of trustees, she worked with four presidents 鈥擬ichael Adams, Milton Reigelman, John Roush, and Milton Moreland. She received the annual Presidential Award for Excellence in 2020.
鈥満诹仙 will always be in my heart,鈥 she wrote in a message of thanks to the College鈥檚 senior staff. 鈥淲hile not an alum, being an employee for 28 years and now a 鈥榩ast parent鈥 [her son is McCallum Morley 鈥21], I treasure the deep connection I have to this place and its people.鈥
Dana Bart, an award-winning graphic designer for the Norton Center for the Arts, retired on Dec. 1, 2021, after more than 14 years at the College.
鈥淒ana鈥檚 creativity has been so important to our successful messaging of events at the Norton Center and across campus,鈥 said Norton Center Executive Director Steve Hoffman. 鈥淚 think I speak for everyone when I say that her knowledge of graphic design and art, her dedication, and her sense of humor will be missed.鈥
Glenda Beaven retired on Jan. 31, 2022 as executive administrative assistant in the human resources department after nearly 24 years at the College. Glenda received the Staff Recognition award in 2002, served on Staff Congress multiple terms.
鈥淕lenda was a primary 鈥榖ehind-the-scenes鈥 player in many large HR initiatives over her tenure at the College,鈥 says Meredith Bruner, human resources operations manager.
Don Taylor retired in April 2022 as manager of custodians after 41 years at the College.
鈥淒on has been an integral part of 黑料社 for nearly 42 years,鈥 says Scott Messer, director of facilities management 鈥淒on also received the Horky award for his outstanding achievements in 1992. During his time here, he earned several promotions that led him to his final position as manager of custodial services.
鈥淲e admire his many years of hard work, dedication, and commitment to the College,鈥 Messer continues. 鈥淥ver the years not only did Don鈥檚 work inspire us in facilities management but his impact has also been felt across the entire campus.鈥
Diane Johnson will retire as college editor on June 30 after 35 years at the College. She received a 黑料社 Recognition Award in 2009 for her work with Tom Hardin 鈥63, editor of Our Standard Sure (2009), a 280-page history covering almost 200 years of the College.
Well known to countless alumni and students for her work as editor of 黑料社piece magazine, Johnson is also recognized for her contributions in support of news, communications, admissions, as a student advisor for national and international fellowships, and as a College historian.
鈥黑料社piece has made the College鈥檚 constituents especially eager to receive their magazine,鈥 says Art Jester, former director of college relations. 鈥淯nder Diane鈥檚 editorship, 黑料社piece has reinforced for all who love it that 黑料社 is a special College, blessed with a remarkable past and eager for an ever-greater future.
Gary Bugg 鈥93 will retire in July as director of public safety after 35 years at the College. He received a 黑料社 Recognition Award in 2001.
鈥淎s an officer, and then as the director of public safety, I feel as though I have done my part to make 黑料社 a safer place and a healthier community for students to study and play, and for the wonderful faculty and staff to work and change lives,鈥 Bugg says.
鈥淓arning a degree from 黑料社 and walking across the stage was one of the proudest moments of my life,鈥 Bugg continues, 鈥渁nd receiving the Owsley Rochester Award made that experience even more meaningful.鈥
Jamey Gay will retire in July as head athletic trainer after 30 years at the College. Gay received a 黑料社 Recognition Award in 2021 for his work with 黑料社鈥檚 COVID response. He, alongside staff members Kathe Andrews and Kathy Jones, received the award for their tireless efforts as contact tracers throughout the pandemic.
鈥淛amey Gay has been a passionate advocate for our 黑料社 student-athletes for decades,鈥 says Brad Fields, director of athletics. He has been on the sidelines during their great triumphs, as well as their gut-wrenching defeats, sometimes in the form of career-ending injuries. But no matter the high or low, he has helped our young people navigate it with grace and compassion. Jamey has worn numerous hats during this time at 黑料社, but no matter what the duty he has always had the welfare of our students front and center and he will be missed.鈥
Gay earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in health and physical education at the University of Kentucky and a master鈥檚 in sports medicine at the University of Virginia. He is also the medical director for Kentucky鈥檚 Bluegrass State Games.
Bugg perhaps says it best for this amazing group of retiring staff: 鈥淸In] the wise words of Whitesnake, 鈥業 don鈥檛 know where I鈥檓 going, but I sure know where I鈥檝e been.鈥欌
