UMW Celebrates Employees for Service, Dedication and a Commitment to Community

October 15, 2026

Amy Jessee

At the University of Mary Washington, exceptional service often happens in ways big and small, from support for students to campus caretaking, and with many employees stepping in and stepping up in their roles.

UMW celebrated that spirit of service during the annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon mid-fall semester by recognizing staff whose dedication, character and can-do attitudes make a difference across the University.

“It’s always joyous for me to see so many people who give so much to our students at this place. We have dedicated people who work up and down the line here to keep this place running, whether it’s maintaining our grounds or our facilities, serving our students in a variety of ways, keeping them safe and healthy, and making sure that they can focus on why they’re here,” said UMW President Troy Paino. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the incredible hard work that you do each and every day to make Mary Washington a special place.”

A man and a woman holding an award stand onstage

A woman in a Minnie Mouse costume stands onstage holding an award while two men stand on either side of her

A woman stands onstage holding an award, while two men stand on either side of her

A person accepts an award onstage from another person

A person stands at a podium speaking into a microphone in front of a screen showing the words "University of Mary Washington."

University of Mary Washington President Troy Paino poses with Associate Dean of Admissions and Assistant Vice President Christy Pack, after she received the Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation. K Pearlman Photography

Assistant Director of Student Transition and Retention Services Shanita Mitchell (middle), who helped emcee the Employee Appreciation Luncheon, accepts the Larry Atkins Award for administrative/professional faculty. K Pearlman Photography

Simpson Library Special Collections Research Coordinator Regan Chancellor (middle) poses with President Paino and University Staff Council Chair Edward Gray, after receiving the Larry Atkins Award for classified employees. K Pearlman Photography

Procurement Services Senior Contract Officer Ken Manahan accepts the Larry Atkins Award for wage employees from University Staff Council Chair Edward Gray. K Pearlman Photography

Associate Provost for Community Relations and Compliance Shavonne Shorter, who led remarks during the Employee Appreciation Luncheon, kept the energy level pumped up at the mid-fall event. Karen Pearlman Photography

Employees enjoyed lunch and remarks led by Associate Provost for Community Relations and Compliance Shavonne Shorter, along with a few games and prizes. Five employees received Mary Washington’s signature honors: the University Staff Council’s Larry Atkins Award, the Charles Coleman Service Award and the Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation.

The Larry Atkins Award, presented by the University Staff Council (USC), recognizes employees who lend a helping hand to their colleagues, go above and beyond, and set a positive example for others. The honor is named for Larry Atkins, former Facilities Services building coordinator for the Stafford Campus and one of the first recipients of the USC’s “We Couldn’t Do It Without You Award.” Following his death in 2011, the award was renamed in his honor and is awarded in each employee category: wage, classified and administrative/professional faculty.

The 2026 honorees include Senior Contract Officer Ken Manahan of Procurement Services, Simpson Library Special Collections Research Coordinator Regan Chancellor and Assistant Director of Student Transition and Retention Services Shanita Mitchell.

Associate Dean of Admissions and Assistant Vice President Christy Pack received the Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation, which recognizes exceptional service to UMW, strength of character and steadfast dedication to the University’s mission. The award honors former UMW President Richard V. Hurley and Rosemary A. Hurley and is supported by benefactors Elmer and Marceline Weatherly Morris ’50.

Pack was recognized for turning opportunities into enrollment results and helping launch and grow key University initiatives. Her work has encompassed transfer enrollment, graduate program marketing and admission, and new program launches, particularly within the past year.

People sitting at tables in a crowded room smile and clap

A woman dressed like Minnie Mouse and holding a microphone stands beside another woman

A man stands in the middle of a crowded room holding his hands in the air in a victory pose

A balloon sculpture in the shape of an Eagle sits in the center of a table

A piece of paper with a maze and other games sits on a table along with a University of Mary Washington sticker and pennant

A woman holds up a prize-winning card while sitting at a table in the middle of a packed ballroom.

The mid-fall semester Employee Appreciation Luncheon, which honors those who go above and beyond in their work at UMW, drew a packed room to the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom. K Pearlman Photography

University Foundation Senior Accountant Ann Hodges (right) received a prize announced by Assistant Director of Student Transition and Retention Services Shanita Mitchell during the Employee Awards Luncheon. K Pearlman Photography

Director of Student Conduct Hunter Rauscher flashes a victory pose after winning one of several prizes given out during the Employee Appreciation Luncheon. K Pearlman Photography

Balloon sculptures in the form of Mary Washington Eagles served as the centerpieces for the Employee Appreciation Luncheon, filled with awards, prizes and camaraderie. K Pearlman Photography

Fun and games was the theme of this year’s Employee Appreciation Luncheon. K Pearlman Photography

Associate Dean of Admissions and Assistant Vice President Christy Pack (middle) was the big winner at the Employee Appreciation Luncheon, reeling in both the Richard V. and Rosemary A. Hurley Presidential Commendation and a fabulous door prize. K Pearlman Photography

Government Documents Assistant Phyllis Johnson received the Charles Coleman Service Award, which recognizes employees who show exceptional loyalty and dedication to UMW, demonstrate care and concern for others and maintain a positive “can do” attitude toward their work.

Johnson was recognized for her steady presence through departmental reorganizations, staffing transitions and sweeping changes in libraries, higher education and information technology. Her nominators praised her expertise in navigating complex federal and state guidelines, as well as her commitment to ensuring access to government documents, all while focusing on relationship building and mentoring students.

Together, this year’s honorees and nominees represent the many ways UMW employees contribute to the University community, from supporting students and colleagues to strengthening programs, preserving resources and advancing Mary Washington’s mission. Read more about the awards and the nominees on the UMW Human Resources website.

News