Asked what she would tell colleagues about Staff Fest 2022, Denise Powell, senior recruiter for Emory University’s human resources department, had a clear message: “Come! Talk to your manager and do what you have to do to get here!”
And come they did. More than 3,000 university employees turned out Friday, May 13, for Staff Fest’s return to the Quad after two years as a virtual event due to COVID-19. Traditionally held on the Friday after Commencement, Staff Fest celebrates the relentless hard work and commitment of all university employees and retirees throughout the past academic year.
A few sprinkles of morning rain did little to dampen the anticipation, and luckily, the clouds parted above the Quad just as the festivities commenced, rejuvenating everyone with the first rays of the summer sun. This year’s theme was, appropriately, “Together Again,” and many attendees proudly sported T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan.
A good time it was indeed as employees from across Emory’s workforce gathered to enjoy games, food and friends. Whether they work in research labs, dining facilities, administrative offices or other campus locations, workers came out to enjoy the company of peers and colleagues who they may not have seen during the pandemic. They were treated to a barbecue lunch catered by Jim N’ Nicks, beverages provided by Coca-Cola and a multitude of other snacks and treats.
Some took part in formal contests including a volleyball tournament, 3K fun run/walk and the new “Chalk the Walk” art contest; others enjoyed dancing, Zumba, a rock-climbing wall, basketball, a football toss and giant games of Jenga, checkers and Connect 4.
As a newer employee attending her first Staff Fest, Lynn Adams, a registered nurse from Emory Student Health Services, spoke of how fun the day was and described Emory as the “best place in the world to work.”
Staff Fest is also known for the inclusive and competitive spirit it sparks on the sport courts. Whether in the volleyball tournament played by groups from many different departments or the 3K fun run, all came out to show their skills.
Eagerly watching the volleyball tournament with a cold popsicle in hand, Caroline Watson — a research faculty member in the School of Medicine’s Department of Neurology — said she came to "watch Anne Roberts from the Australian National Volleyball Team" play. Roberts, a senior research specialist in biochemistry, confirmed she played for Australia "a lifetime ago" before moving to the United States for college; she and her teammates ultimately placed third (see winners below).
For many attendees, Staff Fest 2022 felt like coming home. Friends reunited for the first time in years, colleagues finally met in person, and strangers became family. Attending his first Staff Fest, Russell Griffin, who joined Emory last May as director of diversity and inclusion education and outreach, said the most exciting thing to see at the event is “diversity and community, in that order.”
Griffin’s message to everyone attending Staff Fest summed up the spirit of the day: “Talk to each other, enjoy each other and love each other.”
Staff Fest 2022 competition winners
Chalk the Walk
Winner: Advancement & Alumni Engagement (Julie Cofer and Taylor Ackerman)
Volleyball Tournament (click to see team members)
Sonia Hayden (captain), Dieter Jaeger, Sandra Mendiola, Doug Terry, Elizabeth Gleason, Paja Sijacic, Anna Oeur, Julia de Amorim and Dylan Holder
Carlos Magana (captain), Gerald Searcy, Juan Duarte, Leonard Mendez, Kelly Ferguson, Royce Butler, Arion Mershon, Kofi Frimpong, Alvin Simpson and Brandon Miller
Chih-Yu Chen (captain), Kristal Maner-Smith, Eric Ortlund, Jun Ahn, Peter Buch, Anne Roberts, Blaine Roberts and Xueyun Liu.
Fun Run/Walk (click to see winners in each division)
29-under:
- Sarah Wolber
- Kristina Bowen
- Kallie Monroe
30-39:
- Sarah Lohsen
- Brittany Verras
- Yun Hang
40-49:
- Robin Mitchell
- Kirsten Wehner
- Nichole Arnett
50+:
- Anita Renahan-White
- Venus Henriques
- Melissa Cobbs
29-under:
- Alfonso Bayon Fernandez
- Christopher Avery
- Christian Tan
30-39:
- Dacheng Fan
- Brian Cheung
- Ryan Coleman
40-49:
- Levin Arnsperger
- Yonas Teklemariam
- Dyke Crane
50+:
- Qin Hui
- David Goetsch
- Terry Klemensen