Eagle Welcome celebrated the vital role of faculty and staff in advancing the university’s mission, kicking off the 2026–27 academic year with food, fun, and community.

Hosted by Interim President Dave Marchick, the August 20 celebration in the Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance honored the dedication of AU employees across campus. 

“You change lives,” Marchick said. “If you’re teaching a student, you help them to write. If you’re serving students food, you smile at them. If you’re student affairs staff and you tell a kid you believe in them, 30 years from now, they’re going to be talking about you.” 

Marchick illustrated that lifelong impact by reflecting on his own undergraduate days at the University of California, San Diego. He credited student affairs staff members Tom Tucker and Vince Manson, along with history professor Robert Edelman, with helping him find his path.  

“The most important thing they instilled in me is confidence,” Marchick said. “They believed in me before I believed in myself.” 

Academic Priorities and Campus Milestones

Earlier this summer, Vicky Wilkins, provost and chief academic officer, asked AU faculty and staff to share songs that capture the spirit of AU. 

The call for walk-out music generated a 75-song playlist, which Wilkins referenced throughout her remarks. The most recommended track: Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten.”

“That feels exactly right at the beginning of the academic year,” Wilkins said. “‘Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten.’”

Wilkins highlighted several major university developments and priorities, including: 

• The launch of the AU Ready Internship Pledge
• New deans taking the helm at the School of Public Affairs, Baker School of Education, and the Washington College of Law
• The transition of the Division of Student Affairs under the Office of the Provost
• The latest graduation outcomes census showing that 90 percent of bachelor’s and 91 percent of master’s graduates were employed, enrolled in graduate or professional school, or participating in a fellowship within six months of graduation
• An upcoming evidence-based review of all 80 bachelor’s degree programs this fall, incorporating self-studies, institutional data, Faculty Senate committee reviews, and community dialogue 
• Ongoing progress to reduce barriers to degree completion and establish an undergraduate skills framework following a 90-day AU Core skills sprint with more than 70 colleagues, with faculty learning communities piloting assignment integration over the summer

Honoring Service, Building Community

During the Staff Awards presentation, Lisa Arakaki, special assistant in the Office of the President, received the Maria Bueno Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of her 30 years of exemplary service.

“In that time, Lisa has been at the forefront of AU’s most important events, including commencement…” Bronté Burleigh-Jones, Kogod/BS ’91, MBA ’93, CFO, vice president, and treasurer, said. “Lisa is the best of what AU has to offer.” 

In total, the university presented eight staff awards.

Following the formal program, faculty and staff gathered outside of the Meltzer Center for lunch and connection. Among the crowd was Tameika Scott, senior director of employee and labor relations in human resources, who snapped selfies with colleagues—Jeff Brown, Ash Boltrushek, Azmi Kazzi, Briona Arrington, Gretchen Nester, Gina Arevalo, and David Jones. 

The Faculty and Staff Fall Kickoff festivities continue with the Convocation Welcome Wall on Friday, August 28, and Celebrate AU on Monday, August 31.