William Carey University held the annual faculty and staff assembly on August 19 at the Hattiesburg campus.
Dr. Tommy King, president, and Dr. Scott Hummel, provost, welcomed the faculty and staff with comments on Carey's growth and the success of the 2013-2014 academic year.
New employees were recognized, including 18 new faculty members and 32 new staff members. Service awards were also distributed to employees with five years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years and 30 years of service.
Recipients of five-year recognitions were Felicia Browning, Marcus Chatman, Allison Downing, Jordan Hickson, Lynne Houston, Sandra Husley, Ashley Krebs, Ronald Moore, Emily Sheckells, Ben Smith, Liesa Weaver, Bobbie Wheat and Susan Whitcomb. The 10-year honorees were Bob Blevins, Wes Cameron, Cathy Creel, Lenell Ford, Wendy Hogue, D.J. Pulley, Sharon Schamber-Jones, Vicky Walley and Norris Williams. Employees recognized for 15 years were Olivia Burkett, Lisa Cummings, Robin Dennis, Loretta Fairley, Pamela Jones, Tommy King, Cheryl Maqueda, Wendy Moore, Ann Ramsey and Les Steverson. The 20-year honorees were Randall Harris, Carol Jones, Sparkle Polk and Connie Roberts, and the 25-year honorees were Susan Curry, Peggy Gossage and Julia Mansell. Lynn Singletary was recognized for 30 years of service.
Landon Adams, a WCU student and past president of the Baptist Student Union, opened the assembly with an explanation of the university's annual theme, "Acta Non Verba," which is a Latin phrase meaning "actions, not words." The theme is adapted from James 1:22, which states in part: "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only." The annual theme, designed to provide focus and unity for the university, encourages employees and students to put their faith into action.
Dr. Garry Breland, vice president for academic affairs, presented a slideshow presentation of "Carey Through the Years." During the presentation, Dr. Breland showed the university's growth in the past 50 years through figures such as enrollment, the operating budget and the number of academic programs.
The speaker for the assembly was Dr. Bryant Barnes, a former WCU trustee and the pastor of First Baptist Church in Columbia. Dr. Barnes brought a humorous and thought-provoking message on putting the annual theme into action while using the classic "The Andy Griffith Show" to illustrate his talk.
The assembly closed with a faculty and staff luncheon and fellowship.