Preview
Award Year
2024
Description
Please note: Two Starkey Awards were given in 2025.
Clues (first winner)
This winner was described as a very dedicated staff member, someone who goes above and beyond to help anyone, who has a great smile and great sense of humor.
Nominators praised this winner for their complete and undying loyalty to IWU; attention and diligence to their job; and always putting students, faculty, and anyone they meet ahead of themselves.
When working with students, they were described as patient and kind, and someone who makes challenging tasks fun because they truly enjoy the work and spending time with their co-workers.
This winner has performed multiple jobs in their many years of dedicated service to Illinois Wesleyan… Many, many years. Currently, you might say they have the keys to the kingdom.
Multiple nominators said they could not imagine a more deserving person for this award. But we expect he isn't the type who will go crowing about it to everyone in the Physical Plant.
After nearly 44 years of service, it's high time we recognize this Max Starkey Award winner: Randy Crow.
Clues (second winner)
This winner was described as someone who makes work enjoyable for those around them, with a contagious positive attitude.
Their positivity, consistency, and willingness to do difficult work were called heroic.
They're described as a kind-hearted person, truly dedicated to helping students and others be the best they can be. An outstanding listener and collaborator, they "have a unique ability to make difficult conversations approachable."
One nominator wrote that when this person walks across campus, "you can see the joy he brings to students. Their faces light up when they see him, a testament to the connections he has built through his genuine care and support."
This winner is not only a trusted counselor but also a mentor, advocate, and friend to so many.
One verbatim comment from a student about this winner: "One of the best people I have ever met. He has helped me and all of my roommates through the hardest semester of our lives."
Another student said, "Everyone needs a Bob in their life."
Please join me in congratulating Max Starkey Award winner: Bob Rogers.