A&S Staff Recognized for UVA Milestone Years of Service

AUG 5, 2025
A triptych photo of A&S employees celebrating milestone anniversaries of UVA service.
Jennifer Jones and Doran Tremblay (left photo), Debbie Best (African American and African Studies, center photo) and Bryan Wright (Physics, right photo)

Earlier this summer, the University of Virginia recognized staff and team members celebrating milestone years of work with a pair of Academic Service Awards receptions for employees who’ve worked 10-35 years at UVA.

Among those honored were 27 Arts & Staff members, including two — Bryan Wright (right photo) and Debbie Best (center photo) — who each have worked 35 years at UVA.

"What I’ve enjoyed most during my 35 years at UVA has been getting to know so many incredible students — many of whom I’m still lucky to stay in touch with today," said Best, an administrative assistant for the Department of African American and African Studies.

The information technology manager for the Department of Physics, Wright actually dates his time at UVA back to when he arrived in 1983 as a graduate student.

And I’ve been here ever since,” said Wright. “When I arrived, the department had no connection to the internet, no desktop computers, and there was no such thing as the World Wide Web.  It was a different era.  I've been a student here, a researcher, and an instructor.  I love this university. I think the things we do are important, and I feel privileged to have been a part of that.”

Combined, the work service of the 27 A&S staff members recognized at this summer’s two receptions — hosted by UVA HR at the Omni Hotel on June 2 and July 22 — represents 520 years of experience.

Here is the complete list of A&S staff members celebrating milestone years of service to the University:

35 years

  • Debbie Best (African American and African Studies)
  • Bryan Wright (Physics)

25 years

  • Amy Adams (Chemistry)
  • Karen Hall (Anthropology)
  • Garnett Mingledorff (Biology)
  • Melissa Rowland (Psychology)
  • Randy Swift (African American and African Studies)
  • Tim Wilkinson (Dean’s Office, Computing Services)
  • Karen York (Blandy Experimental Farm)

20 years

  • Emily Ford (Blandy Experimental Farm)
  • David Glover (Biology)
  • Joel Jacobus (Music)
  • Jennifer Jones (Economics)
  • Tracy Mourton (Graduate School of Arts & Sciences)
  • Steve Snider (Computing Services)
  • Dawn Sprouse (Dean’s Office, Computing Services)
  • Larry St. John (Physics)
  • William Tomanek (Environmental Sciences)

15 years

  • Whitney Richardson (Astronomy)

10 years

  • Vincent Bayes (Computing Services)
  • James Davidson (Astronomy)
  • Eric Fernandez (Physics)
  • Keisha John (Dean’s Office, Assoc. Dean)
  • Keith Samuels (Learning Design & Technology)
  • Matt Sellman (Media Studies)
  • Doran Tremblay (Dean’s Office, Marketing)
  • Carol Westin (Dean’s Office, Computing Services)