Employee Appreciation Events
During the 2024 Employee Appreciation Exploring Spaces events at West Chester University, we gathered to celebrate one another, our work, and the space around us. These events are a sincere expression of appreciation to you, our colleagues, for your collective efforts towards student success. They are also a great opportunity for us to spend time celebrating each other and our successes. Thank you again “for all that you have done and all you are going to do.” You are appreciated.
Our Celebration
Earth & Space at the Mather Planetarium
Planetarium Director and astronomer, Dr. Karen Schwarz, took us on a space tour of our current night sky during exclusive employee-only shows. We made you laugh in our spacesuits, got to share celestial cupcakes, and gave away this year's collectable student-designed poster giveaway.
Hear curated ambient music from students Dominic DiStefano and Liam Turnage
Employee Appreciation Celebration
Thanks to the 700+ staff and faculty who attended this event! We hope that you had as much fun as we did. Our 25-foot video wall played Wonders of the Cosmos – showing images, captions, and video of the Sun, Jupiter, Mars, stars, nebulae and galaxies from NASA and the European Space Agency satellites. After a toast from President Fiorentino and Vice President for Student Advancement and External Affairs Zebulen Davenport, we ate a Space Cowboy luncheon and enjoyed mocktails & meteoroid bites served by our Ram Chefs. After refueling with astronaut inspired Tang and Moon pies, we stepped into the Game Truck, enjoyed Virtual Reality, and played ZTAG!
Scan the QR to view the voice-over Wonders of the Cosmos video and get the Ram Chefs recipes .
Headspace & Green Spaces on the Residential Quad
We unwound and cultivated positive headspace during a chill afternoon in the residential quad. We petted therapy dogs, made aromatherapy candles with the Office of Sustainability, and learned about bird song in the Gordon Natural Area. Check out additional articles and continue to cultivate positive headspace.
EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK QUOTES
Cultivating Positive Headspace
Kindness in the workplace
You may have heard of the many benefits of kindness to our physical and mental health but, did you know that kindness in the workplace sparks innovation, collaboration, and contributions? Read more about five easy ways to practice kindness in the workplace in this Forbes article about World Kindness Day and make today a kind one.
For more information about wellness at work check out these great podcasts on:
Your Headspace & Green Spaces: Bird Song
Spending time in green spaces and even looking out the window at nature has been shown to reduce stress. When you “stop and smell the roses” be sure to also listen to the birdsong. Taking as few as six minutes to listen to live or recorded birdsong can positively impact your mood, concentration, and memory. Learn more in this article from the Washington Post.
During Employee Appreciation week, Dr. Jenny Uehling and student guides Alden Ritchey and Ariel Whaley led a casual but informative bird walk at the Gordon Natural Area. Binoculars were provided and our staff learned to identify birds by sight and sound including Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, and Downy Woodpeckers. Interested in learning more about birds and birdsong? Dr. Uehling recommends the "Merlin bird ID" app. Be sure to choose the "US: Northeast" bird pack.
Additional Resources
Changing Your Headspace: Moving & Grooving
It’s a fact! Exercise improves well-being. Take a walk or run, practice qigong or yoga, or head to the gym. Here is another fact. Playful people report less stress. Play is a form exercise that you might want to add to the list. Read about the Yellow Bananas, a dancing baseball team, and how playing tag or frisbee, bouncing a ball on your walk, or dancing to your favorite song can make you both playful and fit
The eight minute Joy Workout is sure to make you smile! Try it out and read why it works in this New York Times article:
Joy Workout Exercises - NY Times
Additionally, the WCU Campus Recreation Center offers a diverse line-up of competitive, fitness, leisure and recreational programs and services
Visit the website to learn more about membership opportunities
The Power of Pets
Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets is linked to several health benefits, including:
- Decreased blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD.
- Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities; better cognitive function in older adults; and more opportunities to socialize
You don’t need to own a pet benefit! Enjoy time with a friend's pet or volunteer with local animal organizations.
Self-Care Resources
Need a quiet corner? The Self-Care Space is located on the 6th floor of FHG Library (Room 608) and is intended to be a safe space where members of the WCU community can attend to short-term needs that require a certain level of privacy. Appropriate uses include (but are not limited to) nursing/pumping, meditation/prayer/seeking a calm retreat, attending to medical needs, and changing clothing. Stop by the Library Help Desk on the second floor to borrow a key to access this room.
SEAP- SEAP is a free assessment and referral service for State System employees and their family members; this includes everyone who lives in your house, as well as your parents, adult children, and siblings regardless of where they live.
Campus Dining Options – Enjoy fresh, quality food and the opportunity to connect with colleagues by taking advantage of the Faculty and Staff Meal Plan option.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CAMPUS PARTNERS for their contributions to the events!
Dr. Karen Schwarz (Earth and Space Sciences)
Dr. Marc Gagne (Earth and Space Sciences)
Dr. Mark Sudol (Physics)
Dr. Diana Chyba (Physics)
Dr. Kevin Aptowicz (Physics)
Dr. Jeanie Subach (Nutrition)
Dr. Jennifer Uehling (Biology)
Student Artist – Keanni Castro
Music Curators - Dominick DeStefano and Liam Turnage
Special Student Employee Appreciation Project Project – Taliyah Davis
Bird Walk Guides – Ariel Whaley & Alden Ritchey
Human Resources Department
The Office of the President
University Marketing and Communications
New Street Catering
Employee & Labor Relations
Facilities Plant Operations
The College of the Sciences and Mathematics
University Libraries – IMC
Campus Recreation
The College of Health Sciences
IS&T - Digital Media Center
Custodial Services
Office of Sustainability
Business Services
