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Wonder women, Black panthers and supermen were there – dressed with their own special flair, dancing, mingling and having a great time. “Superheroes” at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) participated in SIUE’s Faculty and Staff Appreciation (FSA) celebration on Wednesday, April 20 held for the first time on the East St. Louis campus. 

SIUE also held an FSA day on Tuesday, April 12 in Edwardsville and plans to host a gathering on the SIU School of Dental Medicine campus in Alton in June. The festivities were marked with great food, fun games, engaging activities, helpful and informational services and more.  

“The people of SIUE make this University truly special,” said Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD. “Our appreciation events have offered energized opportunities to connect in celebration of the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff. I look forward to continuing to engage in meaningful ways and build collegiality that will help us powerfully pursue our educational mission, together. 

“We had a fabulous time,” said ESLC Executive Director Timothy Staples, EdD. “It was a celebration in every sense of the word. We do tremendous work on the East St. Louis campus, and we couldn’t get it done without our awesome staff. This celebration was one small way to show them that.” 

“I was thrilled that the celebration on the East St. Louis campus highlighted the collective work of its employees,” said Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, RN, CCP, WE CARE Clinic director and celebration committee co-chair with Carolyn Jason, SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start interim director. “Celebrating on this campus gives visibility to the important work done here, which is why we chose the theme of superheroes.” 

“I enjoyed seeing the fellowship that occurred between departments,” said Desiree Tyus, SIUE’s Upward Bound Math and Science program director and committee member. “The ability for us to recharge, connect and be recognized for the work we do as public service leaders is important for company morale.” 

“After serving on the FSA for several years, I was prepared to plan similar festivities for the East St. Louis Center,” said Jason. “It only took assembling a resourceful and creative FSA committee. After that, planning became days of fun-filled brainstorming sessions on how to make it better. The committee worked diligently to locate and secure activities and sessions that would be of interest to the staff, making the inaugural Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day for the ESLC a successful event. It is our hope that staff felt the immense appreciation and are looking forward to next year.” 

Photos:
SIUE East St. Louis Center employees enjoy their inaugural Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day. 

Employees on the Edwardsville campus celebrate their day.