Arthur Everett Takes Top Honor at UNCW Staff Recognition Event

UNCW recognized those who go above and beyond at its annual Staff Award for Excellence reception on April 28.

The awards acknowledge and express appreciation for outstanding accomplishments that go beyond the scope of the employee’s duties. Honorees are nominated by co-workers in the categories of Customer Service, Efficiency and Innovation, Human Relations, Outstanding State Government Service, Public Service and the Spirit of North Carolina.

UNCW Chancellor Aswani K. Volety gave remarks at the start of the ceremony, acknowledging the importance of this honor.

“This kind of recognition carries special weight and speaks volumes about the respect you’ve earned,” he said. “The nominations reveal the quality, dedication and service that UNCW staff bring to life at the university.”

The 2026 Staff Award for Excellence recipient is Arthur Everett (housekeeping). He was nominated in the category of Customer Service. He receives $1,500, a reserved parking space for a year, a framed certificate, commemorative clock and his name engraved on the Award for Excellence plaque in Alderman Hall.

Eight nomination letters were submitted praising Everett’s work as a custodian at the UNCW Center for Marine Science.

"Arthur’s exceptional work ethic and dedication impact all who enter the CMS community. Arthur is known by faculty, staff and students alike for his reliability, kindness and the pride he takes in his work. He consistently goes above and beyond to keep CMS clean, safe and welcoming. In a busy, high-traffic environment filled with labs, classrooms and visitors, Arthur is always one step ahead—quietly taking care of things before anyone even must ask,” read one letter.

Tracie Chadwick, a former administrative assistant who passed away this year, was recognized posthumously. She had a 30+ year career at the university and earned a bachelor's in English from UNCW in 1994.

The Full List of Honorees:

Customer Service

• Tim Bennett – Campus Life
• Shawn Burkett – Housing and Residence Life
• Paula Cameron – Research and Innovation
• Tracie Chadwick (recognized posthumously) – Biology and Marine Biology
• Arthur Everett – Housekeeping
• Marybeth Johnson – OLLI
• Casey Shotton – Sustainability
• Julia Wilson – Communication Studies

Efficiency and Innovation

• Devin DiMattia – ITS
• Sheryl Eamma – Distance Education and eLearning
• Susanna Ek – Research and Innovation
• Cheyenne Fluharty – College of Science and Engineering
• Alyssa Hamman – College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts
• Zachery Morgan – Distance Education and eLearning

Human Relations

• Kimberly Harris – Graduate School
• Laurie Howell – Watson College of Education
• Megan Kauzlaric – Academic Affairs

Public Service

• Megan Toothman – College of Health and Human Services

Six nominations (Bennett, Chadwick, Everett, Kauzlaric, Morgan and Toothman) were submitted for the Governor’s Award of Excellence, the highest honor bestowed on a state employee. These nominees received an engraved gift and are among more than 300 state employees who can be selected as the winner.