Four Rhodes employees—Robert Randolph, Reida Benson, Johnny Austin, and Rob Schrier received the college’s 2017 Outstanding Staff Awards based on nominations submitted by faculty, staff, and students. The presentations were made May 18 at the annual Staff Awards and Service Recognition Brunch.
Outstanding Administrative Services Staff Award
This year’s Outstanding Administrative Services Staff award winner is Robert Randolph, housekeeper in physical plant. Nominators wrote: “Robert is known for his willingness to assist his co-workers. He is friendly and helpful when working with students, faculty, or staff. He is always willing to tackle any assignment. Robert is dedicated to Rhodes.”
Outstanding Administrative Staff Award
Reida Benson, service specialist in Rhodes Express, received the Outstanding Administrative Staff award. Nominators wrote: “Reida provides excellent service to customers of Rhodes Express, and is able to do that with a happy, positive attitude that is infectious to all around her. She handles difficult customers with an ever-present air of confidence and her ever-present sense of humor. She is the epitome of what a frontline ambassador of the college should be.”
Outstanding Administrator Awards
Outstanding Administrator awards were presented to Johnny Austin, shift commander in campus safety, and Rob Schrier, associate head baseball coach in athletics.
Nominators wrote about Austin: “While most of us are home fast asleep or with our families, Commander Austin is working hard through the night protecting our campus, ensuring that our students are safe and well. Night work is not glamorous, often it’s stressful with emergency events, which Johnny handles so well. Johnny is also known as a loyal assistant coach for women’s golf, field hockey, and, for the past 26 years, as an assistant coach to the women’s basketball team.”
At the time of the awards presentation, Schrier was in Tyler, TX, coaching the Lynx at the 2017 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship. Nominators wrote about him: “He has been a model of consistency in the athletic department for the past 13 years. His work ethic and determination cannot be matched. He is a dedicated coach and mentor not only to his student athletes, but to all the students he meets. Rob loves Rhodes, and his enthusiasm has made him one of the best recruiters we have ever known. The players admire his passion and leadership, whether it is on the field on in the office.”