Hendrix
celebrates staff, honors award winners at the end of the academic year
CONWAY, Ark. (May 26, 2023) — Hendrix College celebrated the contributions
of staff members at a year-end program on Friday in the Student Life and
Technology Center, which included staff awards, lunch, games, and prizes.
The following awards were presented to Hendrix staff members:
‘Indi’ Award
- Daryl
Schaefers (Facilities Supervisor – Grounds)
- Susan
Ablondi (Administrative Assistant – Natural Sciences)
Schaefers and Ablondi received the ‘Indi’ Award, presented to
a staff member or staff members who, by their service, has
proven to be an indispensable member of, and contributor to, the Hendrix community.
Schaefers’ nominator wrote, “Daryl simply makes our workplace
more beautiful! The trees, bushes, and flowers across campus are a consistent
and enduring reminder that no matter what temporary stress we are facing, plant
life on campus goes on well-tended. I see Facilities’ handiwork every day,
walking from my car to my building, and outside my office window. I am grateful
down to my toes for people like Daryl and his staff, who work hard every day to
create the breathtaking landscape that is Hendrix College.”
Ablondi’s nominator wrote, “Susan goes way
above and beyond her responsibilities to help support the faculty in her
area with everything from building management to faculty and department
budgeting. We never have to worry about issues that arise as she usually
already has fixed the problems before we are even aware there are any. Her
support makes her a valued and trusted member of our community who many of us
depend on daily to help manage our work. She deserves to be recognized for the
amazing work she does.”
A.C. Millar
Innovator Award 
- Jennifer
Fulbright (Title IX Director Title IX Coordinator and Education Coordinator)
Fulbright received the A. C. Millar Innovator Award, given to
a staff member who champions new and innovative ideas to make Hendrix better.
The award is named for Hendrix College President A. C. Millar, who was
instrumental in moving the College from Altus to Conway in 1890.
Her nominator wrote, “Jennifer has stepped into her position
with enthusiasm and open arms. Every student has felt welcomed in her office,
and she is constantly coming up with innovative
ways to improve. Not only has she completely transformed and improved the Title
IX structure at Hendrix this year, but she also has made it her mission to
educate every student here on what exactly the processes are if you face
harassment on campus. Jennifer immediately sought to ease student concerns with
her new ways of communicating these processes. She has made it easier and more
accessible to understand the Title IX office, and even visited athletic teams
and groups of students personally to educate them on it. She made sure to
gather students for Denim Day in solidarity for sexual assault survivors. She
introduced a completely new Title IX training program with immense improvements
in language and content, taking in student suggestions. I am personally excited
to see what more she will transform at Hendrix in the future!”
Helen S. Plotkin Team Excellence Award 
- The
Residential Life Team (Greer Veon, Director of Residential Life; Max Parker,
Danielle Smith, Alex Chandler, Area Coordinators)
The Residential Life Team received the Helen S. Plotkin Team
Excellence Award, given to a staff office or a project team of staff members
from multiple offices to recognize a successful project or accomplishment that
contributes to the strategic goals of the College. The award is named for
former Vice President of Marketing Communications Helen S. Plotkin, who retired
in 2017 after more than two decades of service to Hendrix.
The team’s nominator wrote, “The Residential Life staff
significantly improved processes and efficiency in Housing, Resident Assistant
recruitment, key organization, and accountability. The team worked tirelessly
to accommodate students with their preferred housing choices, wait lists,
off-campus housing appeals, and late stay requests. Through innovative thought
and work with the Business Office, they offered a few doubles as singles to
meet students’ needs. They worked with Public Safety to inventory and organize
residence hall keys. Through the team’s hard work and an active Resident
Assistant recruitment campaign, all positions were filled. They worked to bring
back the leadership of Hall Councils, and all but one hall has their council
positions filled. With these changes, we hope to see more community
accountability this coming school year.”
John Paulette Unsung Hero Award
- Wayne Bootz
(Cook III, Dining Services)
Wayne
Bootz received the John Paulette Unsung Hero Award, given by the Hendrix
Student Senate to a member of the Hendrix community recognized for quietly and
consistently doing work that makes other people’s lives better and easier, who is
generous of heart and has extended themselves beyond the normal call of duty, and whose work
has an impact on the lives of students. The award was established by Student
Senate in memory of John Paulette, who worked as a public safety officer for
the College from 2002 until his passing in 2012.
See more Staff Bash photos
About Hendrix College
A private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas,
Hendrix College consistently earns recognition as one of the country’s leading
liberal arts institutions and is featured in Colleges That Change
Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges. Its
academic quality and rigor, innovation, and value have established Hendrix as a
fixture in numerous college guides, lists, and rankings. Founded in 1876,
Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. To
learn more, visit www.hendrix.edu.