American University staff and faculty marked the start of a new academic year with free food, fun, and fellowship last week.

Hosted by President Jon Alger, Eagle Welcome, the August 13 celebration honored AU’s workforce and the myriad ways they support the university’s mission.

“In a season when higher education is under assault in so many ways, it can be easy to forget sometimes that our mission is to educate students, produce and disseminate knowledge, and serve our community and world,” Alger said during remarks in Bender Arena. “This is a noble calling and needed now more than ever. As I look around today, I see that mission in each of you, and I feel proud to be part of a community that works hard each day to support our students and one another.”

Look back at Eagle Welcome in these photos.  

Bronté Burleigh-Jones, Kogod/BS ’91, MBA ’93, CFO, vice president, and treasurer, took a selfie in Bender Arena with Traevena Byrd, vice president, general counsel, and board secretary (back left) and Nkenge Friday, vice president of inclusive excellence.

Colleagues from Facilities Management and the Office of Sustainability shared a laugh during a picnic on the quad.Setters of Catan emerged victorious in a volleyball tournament on the quad. The team included, clockwise from top left: Lizzy Sartain, Aiden Delehanty, Alicia Marsh, Kari DeHof, Carlos Amaya, and Nicole Buonocore.

During the Staff Awards, the Housing and Residence Life’s Operations Committee and Project Move Out team (pictured above) received the collaboration award, recognizing their efforts to close residence halls in spring 2024. The partnership between staffers resulted in both a significant increase in donations during Project Move Out, and a more streamlined, collaborative operation.

In all, President Alger and Marshall Taylor, associate vice president and chief human resources officer (pictured far right), handed out eight awards. Read about all of the winners here.

“These colleagues represent the best of AU staff who go above and beyond, often behind the scenes, to help our community thrive,” Alger wrote in a campus message. “And to all our staff: your daily contributions, whether celebrated publicly or carried out quietly, are deeply valued and foundational to our collective success.”