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Employee Appreciation 2026Building for Tomorrow

WCU’s continued growth through construction, connection, and curriculum is fueled by our dedicated campus community of faculty and staff. We hope that you will participate in Employee Appreciation events which celebrate our collective efforts toward Building for Tomorrow.

We are adding a new tool to your Employee Appreciation toolbox soon. Now under construction, the “Build Your Day” tool will allow employees to preview events, reserve spots as needed, plan and print your Employee Appreciation Day schedules and share them with coworkers. Get ready to create your blueprints for fun in advance or hammer out the details later.

COMING MAY 1, 2026.
Build Your Day

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Dr. Laurie Bernotsky headshot

A Message from the President

I want to express my gratitude and celebrate the dedication, creativity, and energy you bring to our campus every day. You are the foundation of our university, and your work is what builds our collective success.

This year we have begun to challenge ourselves to think bigger about our role at WCU and do better in our pursuit of awesome. Yet, the true strength of our community lies in your ability to foster moments in the daily interactions that make our students feel seen, and our colleagues feel supported.

Thank you for your tireless dedication and I look forward to celebrating with you throughout the week.

- Dr. Laurie Bernotsky
President, West Chester University

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Celebrating Employee Milestones

West Chester University proudly honors our staff who have reached years of service milestones, including retirement, in 2025. The talent and dedication of these employees have helped us to build a strong foundation at WCU. Please take a moment to congratulate them as we celebrate Employee Appreciation 2026: Building for Tomorrow.

Employee Milestone List    Employee Milestone Profiles

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May 13th
Construction, Connection, Curriculum

Time: 11:30 AM – 3 PM
Location: SECC

Bolt out of the office to meet your crew! Dig into a “Build Your Own” inspired lunch menu in The Commons, meet our Facilities Design and Construction subject matter experts and GIS faculty to learn about construction and campus, experience the nuts and bolts of the Duey Immersive Learning Center with our students and faculty, learn about building a winning team from our Athletics Department, check out real world applications made possible by the shear force of WCU Bioengineering students, drill into new ideas with Tracy Davidson’s “Rise Stronger: Building Real World Resilience,” make connections and a bracelet, get briefed on the WCU busy bees and their South Campus beehives, put on a hard hat and a smile at the photobooth, and plan for other fun surprises, including the gift of the day.

Build Your Day

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May 14th
Building Our Community

Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
Location: Tanglewood

Once the home of WCU’s presidents, Tanglewood is now used for community receptions, exhibits, and events. Join us for an outdoor garden party brunch on the beautifully landscaped grounds and pick up your collectable student-designed poster. Be sure to sign up in advance to reserve your spot for employee-exclusive timed tours of historic Tanglewood, build your own garden party bouquet, and explore the innovative student housing at Matlack Court.

Build Your Day

Guest Speaker

Tracey Davidson Headshot
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Rise Stronger:
Building Real World Resilience

Resilience is more than a mindset. It's a set of skills that can be developed. Tracy shares how her journey through live broadcasting and breast cancer taught her to transform adversity into strength.

May 13th
Tracy Davidson

Time: Sessions at 1 PM and 2 PM
Location: SECC Ballrooms
Emmy Award-Wining Journalist  |  Keynote Speaker  |  Community Leader

Join us when Tracy brings her signature clarity, warmth, and evidence-based strategies to West Chester University to help us rise stronger, sustain success, and lead with heart.

Watch Tracy Davidson's Story

 

Campus Bookstore Discount

Stock up on WCU swag and enjoy 30% off all week long at the bookstore. WCU ID required at checkout.

WCU WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY - Employee Appreciation Discount Building for Tomorrow - EXCLUSIVE TO WCU EMPLOYEES - 30%OFF - WCU CLOTHING & GIFTS - IN-STORE ONLY MUST SHOW WCU EMPLOYEE ID - MAY 11-15 - *Excides diploma frames & previous purchases.

 

2026 EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION PRESENTER SPOTLIGHTS

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight JANINE NEWS School of Nursing Skills Lab Coordinator Knowing that I help students develop essential hands- on skills, critical thinking, and safe practice habits is deeply rewarding. When a student master's a skill, gains confidence, or later applies what they learned to provide safe and effective patient care, it reinforces the impact of my work. Being part of their journey and helping shape competent, confident future nurses gives my role purpose and meaning. Meet Janine at the Immersive Learning Center on Floor 1, IMC on May 13 at 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:00 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Performer Spotlight JONATHAN RAGONESE Ensembles and Conducting Director of Jazz Studies, Associate Professor of Saxophone My work with the Criterions Jazz Ensemble builds community at WCU more than any other part of my job. In 2026-27, the band celebrates their 100th anniversary. Every summer for the last forty-five years, alumni get together to play again, and this fall we will have a three day celebration featuring many of them. The current band performs across campus and in the community at festivals, theaters and concert venues. Meet Jonathan at Tanglewood on May 14 at 9:00 AM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight NICOLE WARD Facilities Design and Construction Executive Director Our work helps WCU prepare for the future of education not only by constructing new facilities and maintaining existing ones, but by shaping how the campus functions, adapts, and supports evolving student needs. Our efforts support data-driven, long-term planning and thoughtful design strategies that strengthen WCU's identity and position the university for continued growth. Meet Nicole at SECC 213 on May 13 at 12:30 PM and 2:15 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight TIM FERRIS Extract and Box Head Beekeeper Deliciously tasting honey is only one byproduct of healthy honeybees. E&B's development goals include strengthening food chain resilience and the collaborative development of bio pharmaceutical natural products utilizing all of honeybees potential benefits. There is currently a (student) project being conducted on campus featuring bioreactors, growing nematodes in bacteria. Meet Tim at the SECC Patio on May 13 at 12:30 PM, 1:15 PM and 2:30 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight STEVE MAZUREK Athletics Head Coach, Aquatics Director West Chester is special because it makes you feel like you can be a person of achievement right now. Student- athletes on this campus have an opportunity to live like champions today, and to conduct themselves like professionals in their fields now. In our program, that discussion begins with character and culture—what we give our attention to, and how we communicate. Meet Steve at SECC 202 on May 13 at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM.

 

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