Annual workplace service awards salute 4 employees as ‘everything that’s good about MTSU’

MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes, center, joins four top university employees for a group photo April 27 during a reception marking the university’s annual Employee Recognition Awards in the James Union Building. Honored for their work excellence and commitment to making MTSU and its students successful are, from left, Jamie Wilson of Murfreesboro, classification/compensation analyst for MTSU Human Resource Services and the recipient of the Administration Employee of the Year award for 2021-22; Beth Dye of Murfreesboro, project coordinator for MTSU’s Division of Marketing and Communications and True Blue TV Production Services and recipient of the Administrative/Professional Employee of the Year award for 2021-22; Byrnes, LeAnn McBride of La Vergne, Tennessee, executive aide for the School of Journalism and Strategic Media and the 2021-22 Classified Employee of the Year; and Rodney Clinton of Christiana, Tennessee, supervisor of vehicle operations in the university's Facilities Services Department and recipient of the 2021-22 Technical Employee of the Year award. MTSU employs more than 2,500 faculty and staff members campuswide. Its Employee Recognition Program celebrates non-teaching employees for their efforts in supporting students and faculty and making the university a more efficient, effective, better workplace. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Four Rutherford County residents are smiling a bit wider today after their fellow employees at Middle Tennessee State University honored their dedication, service and positive attitudes with the university’s annual Employee Recognition Awards.

Saluted during an April 27 reception in MTSU’s James Union Building, where University Provost Mark Byrnes praised their good will and workplace camaraderie, were:

• Beth Dye of Murfreesboro, project coordinator for MTSU’s Division of Marketing and Communications and True Blue TV Production Services and recipient of the Administrative/Professional Employee of the Year award for 2021-22.

• Rodney Clinton of Christiana, Tennessee, supervisor of vehicle operations in the university’s Facilities Services Department and recipient of the 2021-22 Technical Employee of the Year award.

• LeAnn McBride of La Vergne, Tennessee, executive aide for the School of Journalism and Strategic Media and the 2021-22 Classified Employee of the Year.

• Jamie Wilson of Murfreesboro, classification/compensation analyst for MTSU Human Resource Services and the recipient of the Administration Employee of the Year award for 2021-22.

Each received a financial gift from the MTSU Foundation as well as a commemorative plaque for their work excellence and commitment to making MTSU and its students successful.

MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes, center, joins four top university employees for a group photo April 27 during a reception marking the university’s annual Employee Recognition Awards in the James Union Building. Honored for their work excellence and commitment to making MTSU and its students successful are, from left, Jamie Wilson of Murfreesboro, classification/compensation analyst for MTSU Human Resource Services and the recipient of the Administration Employee of the Year award for 2021-22; Beth Dye of Murfreesboro, project coordinator for MTSU’s Division of Marketing and Communications and True Blue TV Production Services and recipient of the Administrative/Professional Employee of the Year award for 2021-22; Byrnes; LeAnn McBride of La Vergne, Tennessee, executive aide for the School of Journalism and Strategic Media and the 2021-22 Classified Employee of the Year; and Rodney Clinton of Christiana, Tennessee, supervisor of vehicle operations in the university’s Facilities Services Department and recipient of the 2021-22 Technical Employee of the Year award. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MTSU employs more than 2,500 faculty and staff members campuswide. Its Employee Recognition Program celebrates non-teaching employees for their efforts in supporting students and faculty and making the university a more efficient, effective, better workplace.

Non-faculty employees at MTSU are designated as administrative/professional, technical, classified or administration according to their job duties.

Secretarial and clerical employees, now known as administrative/professional employees, are honored each quarter, and an annual winner is chosen from that group. The other employee categories are recognized once a year.

Dye, who’s worked at MTSU for five years, was praised for her professionalism by her colleagues, who noted in nominating her that she “always is positive, energetic, responsive and responsible. Loves and takes pride in the job, which you can see in her attitude and performance.”

Clinton, a previous winner who’s worked at MTSU for 20 years, is “the glue that holds the department together,” according to his nominating colleague, who also praised Clinton’s efficiency and budget-mindedness. “He meets expectations and standards with determination, brawn and a smile. The job is very demanding, and he doesn’t miss a beat in doing it.”

McBride, a five-year MTSU employee, is “reliable, resourceful, a good problem-solver and has an excellent eye for detail” with top communication skills, according to her nominating colleague. “With her professional demeanor and superb work ethic, (McBride) is a wonderful ambassador of everything that’s good about MTSU.”

Wilson, who’s worked at MTSU for 20 years, regularly works with employees campuswide and “… always is willing to go ‘That Extra Mile’ to assist someone in resolving a problem,” her nominating colleague said. “Love working with this individual. … She’s built strong relationships across campus and treats all with respect and makes them feel at ease.”

For more information about MTSU’s employee recognition programs, which also include the MTSU Foundation Awards and Faculty Recognition presentations each fall, visit the university’s Human Resource Services site at www.mtsu.edu/hrs/relations/recog.php.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)