On Monday, May 12, Strahan Arena was filled with applause, music, and maroon and gold spirit as Texas State University hosted its second annual Kudos & Karaoke: President’s Staff Awards and Appreciation Event. President Kelly Damphousse and First Lady Beth Damphousse welcomed staff members from across the university to an afternoon designed to celebrate outstanding contributions, recognize long-standing service, and share a few unforgettable karaoke moments.
Honoring Service and Excellence
The afternoon began with a heartfelt tribute to staff members celebrating service milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30+ years. These dedicated individuals help uphold the excellence that defines Texas State, and their ongoing commitment continues to shape our vibrant campus community.
Staff Council Awards
Several colleagues were honored with prestigious awards for their outstanding service, leadership, and contributions:
- Dr. Lawrence Estaville Employee Excellence Award
• Dr. Clare Duffy
• Ashtyn Davis - Rodrigo Rodriguez Outstanding Service/Skilled Worker Award
• Veronica Halfin
• Michele Dziadik-Willingham
• Jhonatan Morales
• Amelia Herrera
Celebrating Employees of the Month & Year
Each month, the university recognizes employees who go above and beyond. The following staff members were honored as FY 2024–25 Employees of the Month:
- June: Anita Ford
- July: Mark Boucher
- August: Rick Myers
- September: Stephanie White
- October: Melissa Rector
- November: Shayne Futujma
- December: Anna Hale
- January: Radha Sreedharane
- February: (Sheryl) Suzanne Fox
- March: Shalena Stelzig
- April: Araceli Balles
- May: Madeline Powell
A special congratulations goes to Madeline Powell, who was named the FY 2025 Employee of the Year!
Recognizing Team Excellence and Deeds of Valor
Teamwork was also celebrated through the TXST Quarterly Team Awards, which recognized the following groups:
- FAFSA Simplification Implementation Team (September 2024)
- First-Year Advising (December 2024)
- Texas School Safety Center – Research & Evaluation Division (March 2025)
In addition, Michael Gonzales received the Deeds of Valor recognition in January 2025 for his exceptional actions and dedication.
Karaoke, Connections, and Celebration
Following the awards program, the celebration continued with refreshments, photo ops, and of course—karaoke. Whether staff members sang solo, performed in groups, or showed off their backup dancer skills, the energy was high and the smiles were plenty. Ice cream, popcorn, and camaraderie made the event feel like a campus-wide reunion.
From honoring accomplishments to sharing a few musical moments, Kudos & Karaoke 2025 reminded us that at Texas State, our people make all the difference. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s event one to remember. Until next time—keep up the great work, and maybe start warming up those vocal cords!