ULM HEARTBEAT AWARD
Every entity has people behind the scenes. People whose work is crucial for that entity
to flow smoothly. Often, their work goes unseen unless the work they are responsible
for isn’t completed.
How often do we look at ULM’s well-manicured lawns and wonder what they would look
like if the groundskeepers who keep them in pristine condition weren’t here? What
would our students eat if the individuals who cook their food weren’t here and were
not culinary geniuses? No Fried Chicken Wednesday! What would the dorms, the office
buildings, and the stadium look like without the professional diligence of the individuals
who work behind the scenes?
Their expert contributions often go unnoticed. But much like the heart, its function
is essential to life. And if the heart stops beating, things start to go downhill
immediately. Full stop!
There are many behind-the-scenes jobs here at ULM. If they were not done by experts
who quietly and consistently perform their duties, ULM would most likely come to a
full stop- or at least, many things would be delayed.
In this vein, The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion created the HeartbeatAward. The HeartbeatAward is given to individuals who work hard to make sure ULM runs smoothly but are often
camouflaged by the hustle and bustle of campus. Just as our hearts are hidden behind
our chest, its persistent beat keeps us alive. The work of many individuals at ULM
is hidden behind the scenes, but that essential work helps keep ULM alive.
Heartbeat Award: 🎵Who are you going to call……🎶
Picture 1: L-R: Roy Freelon, Johnny Ellis, Ralph Payne
Picture 2: L-R: Max Gongre, David Easterling, Michael Curry, Sonny Rainwater, Trey Medlin, Robert Usery, Richie Moore, Marvin Fleming, Willie Holloway, Brent Bennett, Gabe Aymond, Cody Rios, Vince Smith, Matthew Brouillett
When you need new paint on the wall, who are you going to call? When it’s too hot
or cold in your building or office, who are you going to call? When a sports team
needs to travel near or far, who do they call? Do you need a shelf or door removed
or installed? Is the plumbing not on point?
All these needs can be addressed by the professionals ULM has right here on campus.
The recipients of the last departmental Heartbeat Award are those who work to keep
the buildings and transportation in good working condition for the benefit of the
ULM family. We salute you all!
Heartbeat Award: We would be a MESS without you!
L-R: Alesha Johnson, Rebecca Young, Tami Hollins, Crystal Colston, Tiffany Thomas, Marlene
Crowell, Gwendolyn Hennings, Ronald Shaw, Ida Green, Alex Littleberry, Vivian Broughton,
Shalonda Bilton, Alice Shaw, Keith Misco, MeShawn Parker, Emma Wilson, Phillip Smith,
Drew Lewis, Prentice Andrews, Michael Rucks, Brenda Brown, Curtis Williams, Robert
Greely, James Lewis.
Custodians are responsible for keeping the offices, classrooms, buildings, and surrounding
areas on ULM’s campus clean and sanitary. Custodial labor is never-ending and strenuous.
ULM custodians do far more than just vacuum floors, stock supplies, and make sure doors
are locked. They are and were the first line of defense against viruses (like COVID-19),
harmful bacteria, and disease.
In providing a clean and safe environment, custodians help enhance the physical well-being
of all. This was especially evident during the height of the pandemic.
From deep cleaning toilets to constantly cleaning up after people, custodial work
can be laborious and exhausting. It can entail taxing physical work that can put pressure
on the back and joints and has the potential to cause injury or overexertion to workers.
Yet, individuals such as Mr. Alex Littleberry has given decades of service to ULM. Mr. Alex Littleberry retired on December 14th after 28 years of working at ULM in Custodial Services.
Mr. Littleberry, like so many others who work in custodial services was dedicated,
caring, hardworking, and. thus, a great role model. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him or crossing his path was always greeted
with a friendly hello and a warm conversation. Mr. Littleberry, like all of the custodial staff, was always willing to lend a helping hand and, most importantly, took great pride in his work and it showed.
October 2nd is National Custodian Day, but don’t wait until then to thank them for what they do
for our campus!
Heartbeat Award: The Plugs! 🔌
Picture 1: L-R: Christopher Ringo, Mandi Smith, Mary Murphy, Hunter Hollis
Picture 2: L-R: Christie Hemphill, Mandi Smith, Hunter Holli
Just as electrical outlet plugs allow electrical equipment to connect to the main
electrical grid where all connections begin, the ULM Physical Plant Administrative
Team are the “human plugs” that allow faculty, students, and staff to connect to necessary
services. Like the heart and a plug, they send signals to those who are the heartbeat of ULM to make things connect and function properly.
If the need is setting up for an event, maintenance, food service, custodial services,
auto services, grounds, property control and/or carpentry, all are accessed through
the Physical Plant Administrative team. These individuals will access the need and
make sure to plug the individual into the right resource to address it.
Join us in thanking the “human plugs” who work at the Physical Plant, this month’s Heartbeat Award recipients!
Heartbeat Award: Food
Picture 1: (L-R): Cora Wilks, Linda Holmes, Damien Johnson, Elizabeth Grayson, Valerie, Rosalind
Lumpkins, Yalanda Wanzo, Melody Hawkins, Tommie Thomas, Taylor Hayes
Picture 2: (L-R) Rosalind Lumpkins, Lameishia Minnnifield, Jammiette White, Thelma
Lewis, and Ericka George
What consistently is one of the busiest places on campus every Wednesday from 10:30
AM until 2:00 PM? SCHULZE CAFETERIA! Why? Liz’s Fired Chicken!
Whether you are a foodie who lives to eat or just a person who eats to live, everybody
needs food!
The desire for tasty, nutritious, appealing food, preferably prepared by someone who
has great culinary skills, is shared by all.
That describes the ULM Food Service Employees. Therefore, this Heartbeat Award goes to those skilled and dedicated individuals who prepare breakfast, lunch,
dinner and snacks for students, faculty and staff- and often members of the community
who come to ULM to partake in the dining opportunities offered.
This heartbeat award recognizes these employees, such as Ms. Elizabeth Grayson who is the person
behind “Liz’s Fried Chicken.”
Fried Chicken Wednesday happens every Wednesday at Schulze Cafeteria and is the reason
for the long lines mixed with students, faculty, staff, and community members waiting
to fill their plates with chicken and/or the many other food choices made available
because of these dedicated individuals.
The variety and flavors of food on ULM’s campus, be it in Schulze cafeteria, the HUB
or the kiosk in the Library, is prepared by essential workers that almost everyone
in the ULM community has benefited from at one time or the other.
Heartbeat Award: Hiding in Plain Sight
Pictured from left to right on the front row are: Peter Kelly, Joe Day, Darryl Lee,
Josh Taylor, Rodrick Rucks, Chucky Glass, Matthew Crosby, Renaldo Moore, and Wilbert
Colvin. On the back row: Ken Thomas, Derrick Minger, Michael Moy, Aubrey Ashton,
Ricky Powe, James Gowan, Harold McClinton, Louis Brown, Robert Jackson, Web Stewart,
Donald Tolliver, and Pelton Pratt.
Every day a visitor to ULM’s campus remarks on how beautiful and well-kept the grounds
are, often singling out the President’s House. Those who come to ULM’s campus to enjoy
the food, walk around, run, ride bicycles, skateboard, or attend one of the many sporting
events or activities, can’t help but notice the pristine well-manicured lawns and
shrubbery.
As many have attested, the grounds are never unkempt. This was even true during the
pandemic when the vast majority of those who frequent ULM’s grounds were quarantined.
These accolades are due to the work and artistry of the grounds crew, which is under
the direction of Mr. Joshua Taylor who has worked for ULM for 20 years. This Heartbeat
Award honors the work this group of dedicated individuals performs for ULM.
Their dedication to their craft was the most important impetus that kept this campus
in tip-top shape during that challenging time.
Of all the skills required in landscaping and horticultural services, the most important
one is having a strong work ethic which helps landscapers complete all the work assigned
to them in a timely and efficient manner even when the campus was empty. These heartbeat
recipients unquestionably exemplify that.
Mr. Taylor said, “The ULM Ground’s crew takes pride in their work, and it shows.”
Truer words were never spoken.
Heartbeat Award: ULM’S Movers and Shakers
Pictured L-R:Troy Drake, Brock Hemphill, Steven Hollis, Roderick Hill
“We like to fly under the radar,” said Troy Drake, a maintenance foreman. Despite
his wish to operate incognito, chances are Mr. Drake and his band of movers and shakers
have been noticed by many on campus.
This group of four merry movers—Troy Drake, Brock Hemphill, Roderick Hill, and Steven
Hollis—is responsible for setting up events on campus and moving people from office
to office and building to building. The movers and shakers average about five moves
a day across campus—except for events held at Bayou Pointe, the Hangar, and the 7th
floor of the library.
If you have attended an on-campus event like “Wine over the Water,” received help
moving furniture to and from your office, or witnessed a man carrying a desk down
the hallways, you might not be aware of it, but you were observing the movers and
shakers. They talk softly, but their strength and determination speak for themselves.
Steven Hollis has been at ULM the longest out of the group for a total of over 31
years. He brings a lot of humor into what can sometimes be a mundane job. Hollis is
appreciative of the award because it means he is being supported.
Troy Drake has worked at ULM for 19 years. Unlike Hollis, he is more of the silent
type but enjoys getting “the opportunity to interact with everybody” around campus.
Roderick Hill has worked at ULM for 7 years, which he said has been a great experience
overall. People are generally very sweet and thankful for his help on campus. Like
Hollis, Hill said it is good to be recognized for the work he does in silence.
Brock Hemphill has only worked at ULM for 5 months, so his favorite part of his job
is getting to explore campus and meet new people. Hemphill believes the Heartbeat
Award is a symbol of the appreciation ULM has for the essential work these gentlemen
perform.
Inaugural Heartbeat Award Recipient Mr. Charlie Ballard
The heart of ULM’s campus is the Warhawk statue. Its picturesque location and stunning
17-foot wingspan make it the perfect symbol of ULM.
Imagine if the heart of campus, the Warhawk, looked dirty and tarnished.
Where would graduating students, visitors to campus, and people looking for a special
place for a photo op go? How would that affect the look of campus if the first thing
people see when entering campus is an unkept mascot? Would it still hold the same
value?
The Inaugural Heartbeat Award is going to Mr. Charlie L. Ballard, the person who won’t
let that happen. Mr. Ballard has been employed at ULM for 29 years, and his main job
is in the Maintenance Department where he is responsible for refrigeration. Throughout
his time at ULM, Mr. Ballard has worked across campus to ensure it looks its best.
He has done maintenance for the dorms and the coliseum; he also worked as an electrician.
However, he provides a service to ULM that all students, faculty, and staff recognize.
The Warhawk statue was installed in 2008, and there wasn’t anyone responsible for
cleaning it for the first year. Because of Mr. Ballard’s varied skills, he was recruited
to clean the Warhawk by Mr. Bryan Thorn, the physical plant director at ULM at the
time. Mr. Ballard had a detail business and had never cleaned something as big as
the Warhawk statue. He told them this, but they insisted he was the right man for
the job.
Mr. Ballard tried it out and received many compliments on the Warhawks’ pristine condition.
Twelve years later, he has developed a special technique that makes the job more efficient.
Many of us haven’t thought twice about how the Warhawk stays clean and polished, and
Mr. Ballard works vigilantly and seamlessly to make sure it’s a worry we never have.
His work is so impressive that ULM Interim President, Dr. Edwin Litolff, now Vice
President of Finance at Grambling State University, recognized his expertise and requested
he come to Grambling to work on their Tiger statue, which hadn’t been cleaned since
2013.
Mr. Ballard does more than just clean the Warhawk, he is the heartbeat that keeps
the Warhawk, the symbol of ULM’s brand, pristine and healthy.
Office of Diversity,