Three retiring staff members honored for service

Three staff members with a combined 54 years of service at CSU were honored by current and former employees at a late August reception.

Faye Wood, executive assistant to the president, has worked at CSU since 2005. She worked in the College of Science and Mathematics and moved to the president’s office in 2007 where she went on to assist three of CSU’s four presidents.

President B. Keith Faulkner said, “Faye is irreplaceable. She serves God first and has a way about her; she nudges at exactly the right time.” He said, “The beauty of CSU is its stickiness. It says a lot that people stick around for decades.”

Faulkner praised Luke Blackmon, vice president for business, for his persistence and being an advocate for his team. He said Jennifer Welch, executive assistant for Blackmon, is full of life and patient and kind.

Dr. Dondi Costin, former CSU president and current president of Liberty University, thanked Wood for being a woman of God. He said he has heard her praying many an angry parent off the ledge.

Costin said, “There was nothing you could ask Bulldog Blackmon to do that he wasn’t already doing.” He called Welch Joyful Jennifer and said most people on campus had no idea how much work passed over Blackmon and Welch’s desks.

President Emeritus Jairy Hunter also praised the three. He said, “All three of you, your influence does not retire. Well done good and faithful servants.”

Wood summed up the day for all by quoting the favorite phrase of each president:

• Press on [Hunter]
• Be encouraged [Faulkner]
• Because the best is yet to come [Costin]

Press on and be encouraged, because the best is yet to come, Bucs!