Staff Council Fall Festival attracts probable record crowd

Estimating attendance can be difficult, but Staff Council officials are confident this year’s Fall Festival set a record for attendance.

“The Fall Festival was a great success. We served more than 650 fellow staff members, a new all-time record from what I’ve been told, and I’m hoping we break it next year. I apologize to those who had to wait in line, and maybe went away hungry, but you need to crawl before you walk, and we learn by doing. That won’t happen again,” said Jim Kay, Staff Council chair. “The Staff Council’s true intention is being a voice and an advocate for all SPA and EPA staff. It is always nice to bring people together and share, for maybe just a little while, what we have in common, and that’s working together for the good of this great University. Having a chancellor that supports what the council does to promote good will and encourage staff morale has not gone unnoticed. I’m proud to serve alongside the people that made this happen.”

Kay and the various council representatives and alternates coordinated and volunteered at the annual event, which included a free luncheon, cake walk, bingo and other games. Staff members were encouraged to bring donations in support of the local nonprofit organization A Child’s Place.

As part of the festival, employees could compete in baking and photography contests. Ashely Soublet, human resources, took top honors for the baking competition for her “Spice Apple Cupcakes.” Loretta Cooley, facilities management, placed second for her apple cake, and recreational services Gail Holford’s “Apple Dapple Cake” took third prize.

The photography contest had two categories – 49er Faces and Places. Gloria Chalco, facilities management, captured first in the Places category; Leslie Robinson, Center for Wellness Promotion, won the Faces category.

Second and third place in Faces went to Kelly Freshcorn, recycling, and Celeste Corpening, ITS, respectively. In the Places category, Andrew Futrell, facilities management, claimed second prize, and Tommie Stafford, facilities management, took third.

Representatives from Wells Fargo, Giving Green, Project Life Movement, SEANC, U.S. National Whitewater Center, campus police, Costco and the Advisory Committee to the Chancellor for Health and Wellness/recreational services, participated as vendors at the festival.