University Honors Ole Miss Staff at Annual Appreciation Ceremony

Chancellor Glenn Boyce recognized Joy Rowsey, senior staff assistant for the College of Liberal Arts' student services team, with the Overall Outstanding Staff Member award.

"For more than 14 years, this year's recipient has quietly demonstrated what it means to serve others with excellence," he said. "She is a person colleagues trust, students rely on and families remember long after their time at the university has ended."

The university also added a new recognition this year. The recipient of the Honorable Mention for Outstanding Service award is Lolita Gregory, assistant dean of the School of Applied Sciences and outgoing president of the Staff Council.

"This individual goes about her work quietly, but she's always working," Boyce said. "What she's done over the years leading this staff has been absolutely remarkable, and she's done it with grace. She is really special."

Shawnboda Mead, vice chancellor for student affairs, presented six other employees with Outstanding Staff Member Awards in their respective Equal Employment Opportunity categories. The winners are:

• Natasha Jeter, assistant vice chancellor for wellness and student success, for EEO1
• Carmen Kennedy, academic adviser in the Health Professions Advising Office, for EEO3
• Jennifer Baumbaugh, operations coordinator in the Office for Research and Economic Development, for EEO4
• Horace Willis, computer technician in the School of Pharmacy, for EEO5
• Corey Jones, supervisor in the Department of Facilities Management, for EEO6
• Erika Clinton, guest service agent at The Inn at Ole Miss, for EEO7.

Provost Noel Wilkin recognized the School of Engineering student services team with the 10th annual Daniel W. Jones Outstanding Team Service Award, which recognizes groups that have shown outstanding contributions and dedication to the university. The recipients included:

• Betsy Nelson, coordinator of admissions and recruitment
• Annie Piperno, academic adviser II
• Nicholas Carr, academic adviser II
• Bethany Fitts, academic adviser II
• Nyterica Jenkins, academic adviser II
• Mallory Haulcomb, academic adviser II
• Missey Hudson, operations coordinator I
• Loretta Spence, program manager
• Jennifer Vaughan, program coordinator II.

The celebration, held at the end of the university's annual Staff Appreciation Week, also recognized staff anniversary milestones by honoring members who have worked on campus 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 30-plus years.

"The success of the university is a direct result of the character of our staff," said Steven Holley, executive vice chancellor for administration and finance. "Whether you have been at Ole Miss for one year, five years or over 30 years, you are foundational to the strength of our campus."

Top: Joy Rowsey, senior staff assistant for the College of Liberal Arts' student services team, hugs a friend after receiving the Overall Outstanding Staff Member award during the 2026 Staff Appreciation Awards ceremony. The university recognized outstanding staff members and celebrated those who have hit milestones in their service tenure on campus at the ceremony on Friday (Aug. 7) at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services