BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Two dedicated staff members of Illinois Wesleyan University, Randy Crow and Bob Rogers, were honored with the 2025 Max L. Starkey Service Award on April 24.
President Sheahon Zenger recognized both winners at the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon to celebrate the end of the school year with faculty and staff.
Crow, who works as a locksmith in Physical Plant, has served IWU for nearly 44 years in several roles. Nominators praised Crow for his work ethic and patient attitude when assisting students, faculty and staff with his work on campus.
“What makes Randy more than deserving of this award is his complete and undying loyalty to IWU, his attention and diligence to his job, and maybe most importantly always putting students, faculty and anyone he meets before himself,” said one nominator.
Rogers is a mental health counselor with Counseling and Consultation Services. Nominators described his efforts to take on difficult work and support students as “heroic.”
“When Bob walks across campus, you can see the joy he brings to students,” noted a nominator. “Their faces light up when they see him, a testament to the connections he has built through his genuine care and support. He is not only a trusted counselor but also a mentor, advocate and friend to so many.”
The Starkey Award is given to a staff member whose loyalty, enthusiasm and outstanding contributions have provided an invaluable service to the Illinois Wesleyan community. Established in 2001, the award is named in honor of the late Max Starkey, a 1957 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan, who was the University’s controller for more than 39 years until his retirement in 1996. The award is made possible through a gift of the Starkey family.
A committee of members of the Starkey family and retired Illinois Wesleyan staff and faculty selects the Starkey Award winner from nominations submitted by current faculty and staff colleagues.
In addition to the Starkey awards, the University honored retirees and celebrated employees with milestone anniversaries from January 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025. Forthcoming milestones will be celebrated according to the academic year, beginning Aug. 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026, which will be honored at the 2026 celebration.
Retirements
Jan Alvis, Admissions
Norm Eash '75, Physical Education
Marie Giusti, Human Resources
Deborah Gorden, Natural Sciences
Lawney Gruen, Physical Plant
Abigail Jahiel, Environmental Studies
David Marvin, Provost and Dean of Faculty
Curtis Trout, School of Theatre Arts
Greg Whitwood, Physical Plant
Milestone Anniversaries
40 Years
Jay Langhoff, Physical Plant
Scott Seibring '85, Financial Aid
20 Years
Jair Patino, Physical Plant
15 Years
Leslie Betz '93, Registrar
Martha Bosquez, Physical Plant
Melanie Smith, Business Office
10 Years
Grant Bailey, Physical Plant
Aaron Phillips, Physical Plant
5 Years
Karen Barrett, Physical Plant
Anna Compton '07, Conference Services