With most students away for the summer, American University’s hardworking staff enjoyed a well-deserved celebration during Staff Appreciation Week, May 28–30.

Sponsored by the Office of Human Resources, last week’s full slate of events offered something for everyone, including breakfast, massages, coffee social, volleyball tournament, cupcake competition, picnic, and awards ceremony—all honoring the year-round efforts of AU’s roughly 1,900 staff.

“It’s really important for us to show [our] appreciation [for] staff and all they do,” said Katherine Simpson, senior director of talent strategies in the Office of Human Resources. “Staff support everything [we do]: faculty and the teaching mission, the research mission. In so many ways, staff contribute vitally to the success of the institution, as well as [to] the success of students.”

The festivities also bring together colleagues from across campus who may not see each other every day.

“Over the years, Staff Appreciation has grown and become an important tradition at the university,” said Beth Muha, assistant vice president of human resources, who retired on May 31. “The hybrid workplace has caused us to rethink and refine our approach and reminds us of how important it is to have the staff community come together to connect with each other.”

Here are some highlights from the week of fun.

Great American Bakeoff

On May 29, seven star bakers turned out for the AU Cupcake Bakeoff Challenge at the President’s Office Building with dozens of delectable desserts and high hopes.

They were joined at the open house hosted by President Sylvia Burwell by 90 staff members eager to taste their wares and vote for their favorite cupcakes, which included vanilla bean bourbon, carrot cake, chocolate, and some infused with mango curd.

Linay Foreman, staff assistant in Facilities Management, won for her creation, “Let’s Go Bananas,” which channeled the flavors of another iconic dessert.

“Banana pudding is one of my favorite desserts,” Foreman said. “It’s between banana pudding and crème brulée, and it’s hard to do a crème brulée cupcake because I’d need a blowtorch. I didn’t want to bring all of that.”

Firepower or no, Foreman is no stranger to the cupcake competition. She boasts multiple wins over her 20 years at AU, including top finishes two of the last three years. She was named runner-up in 2023.

Foreman didn’t start baking until late the night before, after helping one daughter pick up a wedding dress in New York and another who is on the job hunt. Her victory was the icing on top of a bananas week.

“Baking is relaxing,” she said. “The kitchen is all mine, and I can play my music and just bake.”

Picnic on the Quad

The cornhole bags flew while a DJ spun upbeat tunes on the quad on the afternoon of May 29.

Over two hours, hundreds of staff swarmed the grass for games, free herbs, and lunch from six food trucks posted across the area offering Mediterranean eats, Mexican food, pizza, Caribbean flavors, and American classics.

During the picnic, Kenny Whitlow, an electrician in Electrical and Life Safety, stood under a shady tree and talked with coworkers. Whitlow, who has worked at AU for nine years, maintaining generators, sprinklers, and fire alarm systems, enjoyed the break with a burger.

“They do stuff for us periodically throughout the year to take care of us, but this is definitely appreciated with the free food,” he said.

Block Party

The Staff Volleyball Tournament on May 30 featured no shortage of smiles, claps, high fives, and encouraging cheers.

“Good effort, guys” one fan yelled after the semifinal game.

Four teams—the Library Liberos, Athletics, the School of International SERVE-ice, and Serves You Right—faced off on the sand volleyball courts between Reeves Field and the Jacobs Recreation Complex.

“This gave people a chance to get out, enjoy some sunshine [and] different scenery, and have fun,” said Joey Nihill, competitive sports and facility coordinator, who organized the tournament along with Garrett Schmidt, assistant director of competitive sports.

Athletics staffers Noah Feinstein, Angie Rookey, Jack Morel, Hunter Walker, Robby McFarland, and Kevin McKeown won the tournament after putting down Serves You Right, a team of largely Center for Student Involvement staff, in straight (but close) sets.

Afterwards, the champs agreed that while winning was nice, it wasn’t what the afternoon was all about. “It was great being out here and having fun with each other,” said Rookey, athletics operations manager.

“This got me out of the office. It was a lot of fun,” added Feinstein, assistant director of athletics ticket sales and marketing. “This whole group is pretty close with each other. We hang out a lot.”