Elon staff retirees recognized at 2024 Staff Appreciation Day

Barry Bradberry

Associate Dean of Admissions and Special Assistant to the President

Barry Bradberry joined Elon University as a staff member in 1975 and has served in a variety of roles, including admissions counselor, assistant director, associate director, associate dean of admissions and financial aid, associate dean of admissions/special assistant to the vice president and finally associate dean of admissions/special assistant to the president.

“My favorite memory was talking with students and their families, watch them grow and mature while at Elon and seeing them as productive and successful adults,” said Bradberry, who retired from Elon at the end of May 2024.

After retirement, Bradberry looks forward to working as a volunteer at First Presbyterian Furniture Ministry with his former boss Nan Perkins and also volunteering with the Burlington Police Department’s Motorist Assistance Program BMAP.

“I’ve learned more about working with people from him than from anyone in my life,” said Vice President for Enrollment Greg Zaiser, during staff appreciation day. “Students love him, parents appreciate him and everyone respects him.”

Barbara “Barb” Carlton

Assistant Director of Moseley Center

Barb Carlton joined Elon University in 1990 after a friend encouraged her to apply. She retired from the university in April 2024. She has served as area director for Residence Life, director of student activities, assistant director of dining engagement and assistant director of Moseley Center.

“Working with student employees really made coming to work every day a joy,” says Carlton.

After a long career at Elon, Carlton has joined James Madison University as the associate director of operations and event services.

Melanie Truitt

Database Assistant at Belk Library

Melanie Truitt ’74 joined Elon in 2006 to work at her alma mater and share a place of employment with her husband. She retired in February of2024.

Truitt says that she misses seeing her friends and coworkers and looks forward to playing in various music groups with her husband after retirement.

Paul Holt

Maintenance Engineer

In 1981, Paul Holt sought a better life for his family and joined Elon University as an electrical maintenance supervisor. His father-in-law did electrical work as a contractor for Elon and Holt felt confident Elon would be a good place to work. He has held the titles of electrical maintenance supervisor; utilities maintenance manager of plumbing, electrical & HVACR; maintenance control manager; and maintenance engineer. He retired in December 2023.

“My favorite memory at Elon was hands-down the people I worked with along the way,” Holt said. “Many of them taught me and I was hungry for improvement. In time, I was able to return some gained knowledge to them and others.”

Holt says after retirement he looks forward to having more time to invest in his relationship with God, family and friends. Additionally, he would like to visit Florence, Italy with his wife as soon as they are able.

Anthony Totten

Sanitation/Recycling worker

Anthony Totten was recognized by coworker Nicki Elliot, distribution services associate, by video during staff appreciation day. Elliot described Totten as the type of person who will stop what he is doing to help someone even if his plate is full.

“He took on the vision of making Elon one of the best-looking campuses around, both inside and out,” added Elliot. She says his coworkers are to see him leave and will miss him but hope he enjoys his retirement to the fullest.

Once the video concluded, Totten, sitting in the front row, hugged Elliot and recognized his family who joined him, as well as former coworkers.

Kyle Wills

Senior Associate Athletic Director

Former athletics director Dave Blank offered a dedication to Kyle Wills during staff appreciation day. He shared that Wills arrived at Elon at the age of 12 when his father was appointed as the first athletic trainer in the athletic department. Wills would grow up in the facilities and eventually graduate from Elon in 1981, when he assumed the role of business manager in Athletics. After several promotions within the department, Wills became the senior associate athletic director for business operations.

“He was an integral part of the Elon rise to NCAA Division I,” said Blank. “He’s a true friend and always tries to assist others. There was no task too small for Kyle.”

“[For] 53 years, I’ve walked on this campus. And I realized when I retired, I wasn’t leaving the job, I was leaving a way of life,” said Wills.

Geneva Weatherford

Environmental Services

Geneva Weatherford, who is retiring from Elon, offers remarks at Staff Appreciation Day in Schar Center on Friday, May 31, 2024.Geneva Weatherford was recognized by Michael Williams, director of the Moseley Center, during staff appreciation day. Williams thanked Weatherford for the service she provided Elon and specifically Moseley Center.

“You treated Moseley like your home and you took pride in keeping it clean,” said Williams, he added that he will miss the spirit of fun Weatherford brought to the job.

Other staff retiring this year include:

• Steven House, executive vice president and provost emeritus
  
• René Jackson, associate director of career services for graduate school programs and director of PACE Program
  
• Patty Rooney, program assistant, the biology, chemistry and physics Departments
  
• Melanie Truitt, library database assistant
  
• Amy Vaughn, program assistant, Residence Life
  
• Gerald Whittington, senior vice president emeritus and special assistant to the president

Thank you for your service to Elon and please enjoy a happy retirement.