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Double knee Surgery No Setback for Facilities Veteran

Phillips, CharlotteCONWAY, Ark. (February 14, 2014) –The Hendrix cafeteria isn’t the only place on campus you can find good cooks.

At the first annual Facilities Maintenance Chili Cook-Off Challenge, it was Housekeeping Supervisor Charlotte Phillips – on the mend after double knee replacement surgery in December – who grabbed the top prize, which included a bag of dried hot chili peppers, a ribbon and bragging rights for a year.  

Charlotte expects to be able to return to work in two to three weeks.

Hendrix College Chaplain Rev. Wayne Clark, spokesman for the five judges, said the competition was “extremely close” and all 13 entries were award-worthy.

Groundsman Ian Lachowsky grabbed second place honors, while Director of Facilities Systems Management J.D. Thompson claimed third prize.

Other entrants were Jay Gray, Joe French, Carla Givens, Lee Price, Justin Sutton, Luke Parker, Buddy McElroy, Brent Peacock, Gary Summers and Terry Gilbreath. All participants received ribbons.

Judges included Rev. Clark, as well as Amy Weaver, Buck Buchanan and Reed Heim of the Athletics Department, and Shawn Goicoechea from the Office of Human Resources.  

“J.D. Thompson came up with the cook-off idea a few years back, and we decided to try it again,” said Director of Facilities Loyd Ryan. 

This year’s contest was such a success that Facilities Maintenance will make it an annual event, Ryan said. 

“We have some extraordinarily good cooks, and everyone seemed to have a very good time,” said Ryan. “Thanks to all who entered and to the volunteer judges!”

Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is a national leader in engaged liberal arts and sciences education. For the sixth consecutive year, Hendrix was named one of the country’s “Up and Coming” liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report.  Hendrix is featured in the latest edition of Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think about Colleges, as well as the 2014 Princeton Review’s The Best 378 Colleges, Forbes magazine's list of America's Top Colleges, and the 2014 Fiske Guide to Colleges. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu