Loyal in Gold & Blue Founders’ Day Employee Service Awards Dinner

Ending Founders’ day, Southern University held an Employee Service Awards and Dinner to honor employees with 20 plus years of employment on Wednesday in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith Brown Memorial Student Union.
The event began with a welcome done by, Institutionalizing and Sustaining Strategic Assessment Management (ISSAM) Project Director Dr. Donovan Segura.
“It is because of you that we will forever be Southern University,” said Segura.
Employees that have been working with Southern for over two decades were greeted with applause as they proceeded into the ballroom and took their seats at the front of the stage.
Amongst the employees being honored was Ms. Cheryl Dukes, a native of Baton Rouge who has been working for library services for 30 years as a Library Specialist II.
When asked what she enjoys most about working for SU, Dukes replied saying that she liked interacting with students and meeting new people.
Dukes graduated from the university with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.
When asked what motivated her to apply for a position, Dukes replied, “well my mother and aunt both retired from Southern. It’s like a family affair,” finished Dukes.
Another employee honored by the university was Dr. Darrell Roberson of Alexandria, Louisiana an Assistant Professor in the Mass Communication Department and Media Engineer that has worked 20 years at SU.
Roberson, who also earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s from SU, admitted that interacting with students is the greatest reward of working for Southern.
“I never intended to spend two decades on the yard, but seeing my students learn, grow and go on to become successful is what makes everything worth it,” said Roberson.
When asked what is one difference between Southern 20 years ago and the university in 2016 Roberson noted, that enrollment was at a peak, close to 10,000 students. Roberson also spoke of how much technology has changed, which is aiding students in learning.
“Students have so many opportunities, now, to display their work,” said Roberson.
Baton Rouge native and Professor of Physics Dr. Guang-Lin Zhao, has been with the university for 20 years stated that he enjoys teaching his students and conducting research.
While expressing his concerns for the university as it faces possible state budget cuts, Zhao stated he is worried there will be no funds to hire new faculty members.
“Six professors retired and positions were never filled,” Zhao said.
When asked if he came across any challenges during his employment, Zhao responded that we always have to overcome challenges, but one should always work hard to do a good job.
President-Chancellor Dr. Ray L. Belton gave the closing remarks of the night and spoke of how important the employees that were honored are to the destiny of Southern University.
“Their years of service are a gift to the Jaguar Nation that cannot be replaced. The honorees have invested in Southern, standing rightfully as founders and have ultimately contributed to the evolution of the institution,” finished Belton.