Staff play an integral role in the university’s mission to advance education, research and public service. The fourth annual UNM Staff Appreciation Week, June 16-22, is a week-long celebration of the contributions of staff. Staff Appreciation Week is sponsored by the UNM Staff Council. All events except the Staff Picnic are free. Some events require Lobo ID.
“It’s recognizing that we all work really hard through the year,” said Annette Torres, co-chair of the Staff Council rewards and recognition committee, which organizes the events.
Karin Retskin, Staff Council administrative coordinator, said that Staff Appreciation Week was conceived four years ago as an extension of the Staff Picnic. “I thought, what if we could have a week celebrating staff, and the picnic could be the crown jewel?”
“We had hoped that managers and supervisors would see this as an opportunity to reward staff,” Retskin said. “It’s a gift to them to celebrate staff.”
Event Schedule
Saturday, June 16
Staff Appreciation Week kicks off with the annual Staff Picnic, including an Isotopes baseball game, fireworks, food and souvenirs at Isotopes Park, 7 p.m. UNM President David Schmidly will throw the first pitch. Staff can purchase up to six tickets for $3 per person at ticket offices at the Pit and UNM Bookstore, Basic Medical Sciences building Cashiers office and branch campuses.
Monday, June 18
UNM administrators will serve a pancake breakfast sponsored by Human Resources in Student Union Building ballrooms B and C, 7:30- 9:30 a.m.
The Staff as Artists exhibit opens at John Sommers Gallery, 4:30-6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 20
The Book Exchange will be held in the SUB Santa Ana room and Health Sciences and Services building rooms 168 and 169, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Staff who donate books, CDs, DVDs or videos get early bird access, 9-10 a.m. For drop off sites e-mail scouncil@unm.edu.
Thursday, June 21
The Employee Health Promotion Program will help staff develop healthy habits with a pedometer demonstration and giveaway, UNM on the Move walk and fruit cups near the “Modern Art” sculpture on the Cornell Mall, 11:30 a.m.
Friday, June 22
Staff can get their groove on at the Greg Johnston Summer Concert in the Honors Plaza near the Student Health Center and Health Sciences Center Music on the Plaza. Both concerts begin at noon and include free ice cream.
For a complete event schedule visit: Staff Appreciation Week 2007
Media Contact: Sari Krosinsky, (505) 277-1593; e-mail: smichal@unm.edu