President Gregg A. Chenoweth ’90, with his wife Tammy (Salyer) ’89, hosted the annual President’s Dinner for Faculty and Staff in Chalfant Hall on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University on Thursday evening, August 22. Current Olivet faculty, staff and administrators joined retirees and noted guests for a celebration of accomplishments, fellowship and a time to reflect as the campus community prepares for a new academic year.
The theme of the evening’s program, I See You, was evident in the messaging and music. This statement, taken from the Zulu greeting “Sawubona”, inspired guests to truly see one another in the day-to-day moments; to say “I see you. You are valuable to me.”
Tom Ascher, Director of Human Resources, presented the evening’s recognitions to long-serving employees. 
Dr. Dale Hathaway, Professor of Mathematics and Associate Dean of the Martin D. Walker School of STEM was awarded faculty member of the year.
“The areas of study offered by the School of STEM address how we can try to understand this world we have. I hope that our students leave Olivet knowing that Christianity and science can go hand-in-hand,” Dale says. “Science study is about the how, while Christianity is more about the why – but both questions are valid and should be explored.”
Staff member of the year was awarded to Brian Utter ’91, Executive Director of the Olivet Media Group and associate professor in the Department of Communication.
“When you turn on a microphone, you have six seconds to connect before the audience disengages, so make sure you always have something to say that matters,” Brian said. “People desire authenticity and transparency in the media today. Radio is just the platform we use to point people to Christ.”
Following the traditional faculty and staff awards, Dennis Seymour ’82 was recognized for his 42 years of leadership at the University with the naming of the new Seymour IT Suite.
In the President’s address, Dr. Chenoweth called the Olivet community to be used by “El Roi”, The God who sees me (Genesis 16:13) – to help students and colleagues feel truly seen.
In his message, he highlighted specific faculty and staff members already intentionally building this type of “I see you” relationships, inspiring others to do the same.
“What if you and I crafted an intention? What if you became more sensitive to the prompt of God to help a student feel truly seen, the effect of which is El-Roi becomes clearer to them?”, he asked. “Remember that at Olivet, people are not an interruption to our work. People are our work! The ultimate goal in really seeing another is not their improvement, but your accompaniment.”
Alyssa Phelps, Associate Director of University Relations and Engagement, closed out the night with an invitation to a new initiative to pause and acknowledge individuals 
around campus who make Olivet a seeing place.
“Community is not merely proximity. It is built through intentional efforts. Our Olivet community is not accidental or coincidental. It is intentional efforts every day, the greatness of small acts over time, that compounds into this beautiful thing,” Alyssa says.
The special President’s Dinner Program Book (including achievements and recognitions) can be found here.
