Dear AU Community,

Summer always brings memories of gatherings where we celebrate. In the communities that I have been fortunate to call home, there were always warm days where people came together in celebrations of all sizes. One of the great times during the year for our AU community comes as summer begins and we host Staff Appreciation Week! Our teams work so hard throughout the year to move our mission forward. This week is a dedicated time for not just a well-deserved “thank you,” but also a community-wide celebration of the outstanding staff of American University.

This year’s Staff Appreciation Week is filled with fun activities. Here are just a few highlights that I’m looking forward to:

• Monday begins with the Years of Service and Staff Awards Brunch from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. And you know I like a good dance party, so try out your moves at the Dance Fusion Fun in Jacobs Fitness Center.
• On Tuesday, learn more about our campus and community during the Sustainability Tour and the WAMU Studio Tour.
• One of my annual favorites—the Cupcake Challenge—will take place during the President’s Open House on Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday also brings the Staff Picnic on the quad (food trucks!) and the Sand Volleyball Tournament.
• Thursday brings the Twenty-Year Club Luncheon to recognize our longest-serving staff members and the Chef Challenge in Mary Graydon Center.
• We wrap up our celebrations on Friday with Team Trivia.

You can view the full Staff Appreciation Week schedule on the website. There are shuttle services from our offices away from main campus, ongoing scavenger hunts for health and wellness, and additional programming on topics ranging from goal setting to money management to yoga. Thank you to the teams from across the university who planned events and will make this celebration a fun and fulfilling success all week long.

As previously announced, the university will be closed on Monday, July 3 to recognize your hard work over the past year with a long break for the Fourth of July holiday. As you plan for summer, a reminder that AU will also be closed on Monday, June 19 in commemoration of Juneteenth. For our team members who work those days in support of core campus functions, thank you. Your manager will work with you to identify alternatives to ensure you have the opportunity to take corresponding time off.

Thank you again to our wonderful staff for all that you do for our community. I am looking forward to seeing you and celebrating you this week.

Sincerely,

Sylvia