Lander President Dr. Daniel Ball announced the recipients of the university's 12th annual staff excellence awards in February: Linda Kidd, Lander administrative assistant for the Office of University Advancement; and Frank Sells, Lander's superintendent of grounds maintenance. Special recognition was also given to Perfecta Thompson for her 25 years of service through the university's Dining Services and Aramark. The awards are presented annually to staff members who show outstanding dedication to their work and exemplify the family spirit at Lander, and recipients are nominated by fellow colleagues. Kidd has been with Lander nine years. One nominator described her by saying, "her outstanding customer service for students, faculty, staff and alumni is second to none." Sells, who has been at Lander for six years, was described as "always looking for ways to make our campus look even better." Of Thompson, Dr. Ball said "She has catered every event that involved a university president since Dr. Jackson. Every year returning students stop by to say hi to her."