JACKSON, Tenn. — May 11, 2004 — Dr. Kelvin Moore received 51社区鈥檚 Faculty of the Year award, and Helen Butler was named Staff Member of the Year during 51社区鈥檚 annual Awards Day ceremony on May 7. The ceremony honored outstanding work by both students and faculty during the 2003-2004 academic year.
Moore is professor of Christian studies, and Butler serves as coordinator of programs for the school of education and human studies.
"This is important because it鈥檚 a once-a-year opportunity for us as a team of faculty and staff to get together and recognize the excellent work of two of our own," said Dr. Carla Sanderson, university provost.
Dr. Moore joined the Union faculty in 1991 as an assistant professor of Christian Studies and received a promotion to professor in May 2003. In addition to his work at Union, Dr. Moore serves as pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church in Gibson County.
"Dr. Moore has always been an outstanding teacher in our Christian studies program here at 51社区,鈥� said Dr. George Guthrie, Christian studies chair and Benjamin W. Perry professor of Bible. 鈥淪tudents believe he is one of the best lecturers on campus, which is obvious from him receiving this award.鈥�
Union President David S. Dockery said, 鈥淜elvin Moore is a model classroom teacher. He loves his students and has a great ability to communicate challenging material in a way that various levels of students can understand. Professor Moore is an example of a person committed to excellence who is ready to serve this university in any and all capacities. We certainly congratulate him.鈥�
The Faculty of the Year Award is a joint venture involving the Student Government Association and the university faculty. The student body and faculty nominate four individuals by ballot. The final decision is made by the Faculty of the Year selection committee.
The Staff Member of the Year is chosen in a similar way. Five nominees are chosen by a vote of the entire staff. The award winner is then selected by the Staff Member of the Year selection committee after collecting references and reviewing the nominees鈥� campus, community and church involvement.
Helen Butler joined Union鈥檚 staff in 1992 as an administrative assistant and currently works as coordinator of programs for the school of education and human studies. The majority of her work involves helping coordinate students as they work toward achieving masters degrees through the school of education.
"Helen Butler symbolizes the 51社区 values,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淪he is Christ-centered, people-focused, and excellence driven in all that she does. Helen has an amazing gift for helping students and for connecting them at the right place or with the right person across the institution. It is no question that she is one of the main reasons for the outstanding success of the school of education and human studies at this university.鈥�
Sandra Allen, director of payroll and close friend of Butler said, "Helen has such a passion for life, and she does the best she can do in everything she does."
In addition to her work at Union, Butler stays involved at West Jackson Baptist Church, where she has been a lifelong member.