The 16th Randolph-Macon College Yellow Jacket Awards ceremony took place on October 21, 2019 in The Pavilion in Birdsong Hall. Yellow Jacket Awards were given to staff who demonstrate distinction in one of two categories: Excellence Behind the Scenes, and Excellence in Service. Each award recipient received a certificate and a cash award. President Robert R. Lindgren welcomed staff to the ceremony.

“Our successes at Randolph-Macon are clearly enhanced in large part by your extraordinary talent and even more extraordinary dedication,” said Lindgren. “That is why we take time, twice a year, to come together like this. To take a brief pause to recognize a few of our colleagues—all the time understanding that our awardees today are just so representative of virtually everyone who works on this campus.”

The Awards 
The Excellence Behind the Scenes Award is given to a staff member who provides excellent service behind the scenes, showing initiative and drive, and making Randolph-Macon a better place for work and study. Five staff members were presented this award. 

Trip Wells ’02 (Marketing & Communications) 
In his role as videographer and interactive media specialist, Wells increases the college’s visibility through engaging videos, photography, and social media posts.  

“Over these last four years, Trip has become a valued member of the RMC community,” said Lindgren. “We all appreciate Trip’s willingness, without complaint, to work whenever the circumstances require. His nominator wrote, ‘Trip is a kind and friendly co-worker who always makes himself available to assist with videos, photographs and social media. He has great ideas and is a fine collaborator when working on projects. Trip’s work is integral to how the college is viewed by not only students, parents, and alumni, but also prospective students and the public at-large.'” 

Lindgren continued, “It is so important, in this visual world in which we live, to promote and celebrate Randolph-Macon and its people through attractive and vibrant imagery, and we are grateful that Trip wakes up every day thinking about how he can continue to help us to always look our best. Trip, thank you for your devotion to promoting the college and making us all look good.” 

Joyce Afriyie (Physical Plant)
Afriyie, who began working at RMC on an as-needed basis in 2009, has always been one to go above and beyond to work with co-workers, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and visitors to make the campus beautiful and welcoming.

“She distinguished herself so much that when the Housekeeping department needed a full-time employee, Joyce was just the person the college needed,” said Lindgren. “She has worked in many buildings throughout the campus. She is currently assigned to Peele Hall—and I can personally attest to how thorough and terrific her work is—as well as to the Conrad Residence Hall.  She is known for absolutely adoring our students, and Joyce, I have been told by many that the feeling is mutual! Joyce’s hard work and dedication to the college and her interaction with all those on campus is a true model of excellence.”

Rick Fitzsimmons (ITS) 
A systems engineer, Fitzsimmons is in his 15th year at RMC and works to ensure the college’s technology systems are operating at full potential and protected against system issues and hackers. 

“Rick begins his day early in the morning to test for problems with our systems in order to make sure that students, faculty and staff can begin their day without system problems,” said Lindgren. “He has also been instrumental in training others to search for and rid our system of those darned ‘phishing’ emails—some of which, I am told, come to you from ‘President Lindgren’ and maybe even try to steal your information. Just be assured, those are definitely not from me! We are so glad you are on top of this, Rick.” 

Lindgren continued, “Rick also manages backup of systems, and always goes about his great number of responsibilities with characteristic friendliness, knowledge and dedication. We are grateful for all you do, Rick, to protect each of us and the college from cyberthreats and issues.”

Mike Koslosky (Campus Safety) 
Koslosky joined the Campus Safety staff 2015 and immediately began putting his superb people skills to work.

“He made it a priority to forge great connections with our students as well as our faculty and staff members,” said Lindgren. “He has done a great job doing just that—always with a smile and warm, effective service. Mike has taken on numerous responsibilities within the department, where training is one of his strongest assets. He maintains his Department of Criminal Justice System certification through the Commonwealth of Virginia with an ‘instructional status,’ and he plays a huge role in the training and certification of our new patrol officers. He is a textbook practitioner of a ‘leadership by example’ approach and is a consistent, steady hand as a conduit for our mission between Campus Safety and the RMC community. We are so fortunate to have him at Randolph-Macon working to ensure the safety of our community—and to always do so with joyfully Yellow Jacket spirit.”

Lisa Gaza (McGraw-Page Library) 
Gaza has been the metadata assistant in the McGraw-Page Library since 2017, following three years as the part-time assistant for cataloging. She edits bibliographic records for both print and electronic materials to help maintain the library catalog and she generates reports for the library’s ongoing collection development efforts.  

“Her understanding of computer file management and software has significantly helped the library staff in planning for digital conversion and metadata description of the library’s collections,” said Lindgren. “Her critical eye of the layperson’s perspective has helped the library improve the user experience.” 
Gaza, who is also an active member of the library’s social media team, creates a continuous stream of posts to social media outlets that highlight athletic and other college events. “In collaboration with library faculty and staff, she used her digital and design skills to create the outstanding online exhibit celebrating the 150th anniversary of Randolph-Macon’s move to Ashland,” noted Lindgren. “Lisa, we are deeply grateful for your dedicated service to Randolph-Macon College.”

The Excellence in Service Award is given to an employee who provides excellent service to students, staff, faculty, parents, alumni, or visitors. Two staff members received this award.

Alicia Elms (Student Life)  
Elms, now in her fourth year of serving with excellence as coordinator of diversity and multicultural affairs, makes an outstanding contribution to Randolph-Macon. Among her many duties, she is tasked with overseeing the Diversity Council, creating and promoting programs that enhance cultural competency, advocating on behalf of students, and working with the Commuter Student Association.

“Alicia encourages students to tackle their challenges with grace and strength,” said Lindgren. “She works to celebrate the successes of our students, and she is particularly effective helping students grow and develop, even when working through challenges and adversity.” He continued,  “Alicia has been very successful at expanding our cultural programs, almost exponentially, and she provides ‘gold standard’ support to student organizations and their leaders. Her work with students has had a measurable impact on student retention, reflecting her work to empower students and make the college a place where they feel valued and included.”

Jim Woods (Admissions) 
Woods has served the college for 23 years. He served most of that time as head coach for the athletics program; four years ago, he transitioned to the Office of Admissions.

“His natural and successful recruiting skills, institutional knowledge, and passion for serving others has made a terrific difference in our recruiting,” said Lindgren. “Jim is known as a lifelong learner, having both intellectual curiosity and a great work ethic. Jim has been a leader in two very important areas of our new student population. He has served as the office liaison with our athletic coaches, who annually recruit over a third of our new freshmen. And he has assisted with another important population of new students as well in his coordinating role for transfer students. Our number of new transfers has grown significantly under Jim’s leadership, this year representing over 11 percent of our new students.”

Woods recently accepted the position of assistant director of financial aid at RMC. “We look forward to him bringing his many talents and institutional knowledge to this very critical area. Jim, thank you for all you do to attract new students to our college,” said Lindgren.