People sit around round tables set with diningware. They laugh and talk to each other.

Staff Honored at 2025 Appreciation Luncheon and Service Awards Ceremony

The annual event celebrates essential contributions of East Texas A&M employees and highlights years of service milestones.

East Texas A&M University's Staff Council hosted its annual Staff Service Awards and Appreciation Luncheon on April 24 at the Rayburn Student Center. The annual event celebrates the essential contributions of university employees and highlights years of service milestones. The luncheon was fully booked, drawing staff from across campus to celebrate their colleagues’ hard work and commitment. University President Mark Rudin praised the event, calling it one of the best yet and applauding the council members who made it happen.

Acknowledging Excellence

In his remarks, Rudin recognized staff as the driving force behind the university’s progress. He pointed to recent university milestones, including enrollment growth, a move to NCAA Division I Athletics, and a new designation as an R2 research institution.

“Suffice it to say, we would not be where we are today as an institution…without the staff at our university,” Rudin said.

Staff Council President Kasey Britton, the event's emcee, honored the contributions of staff across campus.

“Each of you brings something unique to our university community,” she said. “Whether through your hard work, creativity, passion or quiet consistency, you make a difference. Our students thrive because of your commitment; our campus succeeds because of your care.”

A Community Effort

Thanks to generous support from local businesses and campus partners, gifts and door prizes added a celebratory touch to the employee appreciation event. The university's Horticulture Club contributed more than 200 plants as gifts for attendees. Additional donors, including Starbucks and Lowe's, provided 86 door prizes.

A collection of colorful cups, most with lids and straws, sits on a table.
Staff enjoyed door prizes from generous donors. | East Texas A&M Marketing and Communications

Honoring Years of Service

Fifty-seven employees were recognized for their service milestones, including two who have dedicated 30 years to East Texas A&M.

Four people stand in front of tall blue and gold letters that spell out "Lions." The two people in the middle are holding small gold lion statues.
Janet Jenise Huggett (L center) and Darnisha Hines (R center) receive 30-year service awards. | East Texas A&M Marketing and Communications

  • Darnisha Hines
  • Janet Jenise Huggett

  • Jennifer Faunce
  • Rhonda G Ferguson
  • Sheryl A. Bohrer

  • Chad A. Ballard
  • Cynthia W. Rhodes
  • Mitzi Hughes

  • Jarrod Knight
  • Jo Chapin
  • Jodi L. White
  • Kathleen A. Hall
  • Kristina Nichols
  • Mariana Foster
  • Renee R. Walker

  • Anne E. Vieira
  • Brittney L. Smith
  • Carla K. Taylor
  • Dameon J. White
  • Gudelia Reyna
  • Hailey K. Bearden
  • James W. Hall
  • Katy Perez Hernandez
  • Ramona Wates
  • Raymond A. Dittrich
  • Robin Duhon
  • Stacy R. Bearden
  • Stephanie Diane Pinckard
  • Swagata Malaiya
  • Xingzhong Yan

  • Alexander Bourque
  • Amber Dyer
  • Amber House
  • Ancy Thomas
  • Audrey Voss
  • Audrey Weiss
  • Brandon Hudson
  • Clay Stanfield
  • Darrion J. Culler
  • Destynie Nevil
  • Dillon Russell
  • Elicia Boles
  • Emmett Shankle
  • Josiah M. Castro
  • Lauren Devitt
  • Marcus Hawkins
  • Natalie Elizabeth White
  • Raquel Escobar
  • Riley Davidson
  • Rock Light
  • Samantha Lopez
  • Sandy Darby Barnes
  • Sarah Sparks
  • Stephen Brian Harwell
  • Tyler Devitt
  • Tyler Holloway
  • Zachary Ryan Adams

“While this event honors all staff, we are especially proud to recognize the longevity award recipients, those who've reached milestone years of service to this institution and to the state of Texas,” Britton said. “Your continued dedication and legacy of excellence help shape the future of ETAMU, and we can't wait to celebrate many more anniversaries.”

View the 2025 Staff Service Awards and Luncheon Photo Gallery.

Learn more about the Staff Council's role in supporting ETAMU employees.

Featured Photo: Staff honored at 2024 appreciation luncheon | East Texas A&M Marketing and Communications