For a few hours last Friday, employees left work behind and headed to the annual Employee Appreciation Fair at the Smith Center.
Schedules and deadlines gave way to camaraderie, fun and food.
"The Employee Appreciation Fair is a unique opportunity for employees to come together and experience the University community," said Kay Spivey, assistant to the Institute of Government director and vice-chair of the Employee Forum.
Spivey credits her work with the Employee Forum in sparking her interest in the fair.
"Not only does the fair provide information about the services the University provides, it is a chance for employees to have a good time," she said.
Housekeeper Arthur F. Alston has come to the fair each of his four years with the University.
"I like Carolina and I like to be involved in what's going on," said Alston, a member of the Housekeepers Association steering committee. "The fair helps people feel a part of the University. If people would get more involved in things like the Employee Appreciation Fair, they could stay informed."
Chancellor Michael Hooker, in an address during the fair, extended his appreciation for the good work of University faculty and staff.
"This is a very strong institution," he said. "We have a strong faculty, a strong student body and a strong physical plant. But the fierce loyalty of our staff and their sense of great pride set Carolina apart from other institutions.
"You all deserve enormous praise and thanks. I look forward to working with you for many years to come."
The fair is planned and coordinated by the University Managers Association and Human Resources, with funding from pan-University sources. The UMA started the fair in 1990.
Thousands of fairgoers enjoyed the lunch provided, then browsed among the 82 information booths set up on the Smith Center floor and on the concourse.
They could gather information on a variety of topics, ranging from diabetes screening to University benefits to the latest developments in the campus fiber optic network.
The Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine designed its display to help fairgoers understand how its staff of 60 technicians, veterinarians and laboratory personnel care for the animals.
"We want to address employees' concerns and convey to the University community that our group of professionals is committed to humane care for the animals," said Christian E. Newcomer, director of laboratory animal medicine.
Fairgoers also could visit the Housekeeping Division train track highlighting all 746 employees in the division or Energy Management's energy cycle showing the different energy levels required to power four fluorescent light bulbs vs. four incandescent bulbs.
Contestants lined up to take their chances at Health and Safety's Wheel of Safety and the Office of Information Technology's Wheel of Jeopardy booths. Each gave away prizes, as did the Athletic Department, which held drawings for a pair of season football tickets and a pair of season basketball tickets.
Many door prizes were also given away.
The Macintosh Performa computers with laser printers were won by Michael Kime (Physical Plant) and Zibin Chen (physiology). Donna Hoyt (social work) won the Macintosh Newton hand-held computer.
Anne Lauder (medical allied health professions) won the tickets on Midway Airlines, and Anthony Eubanks (housekeeping) will enjoy the Siena Hotel getaway.
Lending a hand
Volunteers Cottie Pasternak, ecology, (left) and Dale Kiser, purchasing, help a vendor unload exhibit materials prior to the fair.
Picking a winner
Candy Terrell, fair co-chair, and Archie Lassiter, mail services, choose a door prize winner.
Welcome to the fair
Bruce Runberg, facilities management, and Linda Lane, human resources, welcome an employee to the fair.
Getting ready
Peggy Cotton, office of vice provost for health affairs, decorates the Employee Forum booth with balloons prior to the opening of the fair.
Pondering the puzzle
Aaron Barrett, health and safety, in his Pat Sajak role, urges participants to solve health and safety puzzles during Wheel of Safety, one of the 82 information booths.
A free lunch
Employees attending the fair received a free lunch in a canvas tote bag. The bag was provided by the Physical Plant.
Thanks!
Chancellor Michael Hooker, attending his first fair, thanked employees for all they do for Carolina and the state.
Fairs of the past
Pinkey DuBose, health affairs library, (center), and Jan Pittman, Sheps Center, show a fairgoer some of the memorabilia from the past six fairs at the University Managers Association booth. The UMA came up with the idea for the fair and has been coordinating the event since the first one in 1990.
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