At the 2018 Celebration of Service in April, staff members Kate Barker and Josh Meier were named SPU Staff Members of the Year. Each year, staff members from across campus nominate stand-out employees. Staff of the Year are then chosen by Staff Council.

Recipient of the non-exempt Oral V. Hemry Staff of the Year Award, Barker was described by co-workers as someone who “collaborates within our team and with other departments with ease, and has a tenacious spirit which translates to complete and thorough work.” The budget and office manager in University Recruitment and Admissions, Barker recently helped Undergraduate Admissions and Graduate Admissions transition through a complete structural reorganization.

Meier, director of software and data systems in Computer and Information Systems, was named the Except Staff of the Year. The 2004 SPU alum began as a student employee at the helpdesk, a developer, a database administrator, an team lead. In his current role as director, he has a vital role creating and supporting systems the campus community uses every day. Says one co-worker, “He is always thinking about what is right for SPU and how CIS can further SPU’s mission in the world.  I am humbled by his selflessness and unwavering dedication to this place.”