On April 13, 2026, Olivet Nazarene University recognized sophomore Maddie Luft as the Student Employee of the Year and Charles Carrigan ’96, Ph.D. as the Student Employment Supervisor of the Year. The Office of Human Resources coordinated surprise celebrations for both Maddie and Dr. Carrigan, and the departments in which they work.
Student employees add immense value to the workflow at Olivet. Every year, the University employs hundreds of student workers in almost every department across campus — providing administrative work; assisting professors with lab setup and/or grading as teaching assistants; working in food service; welcoming guests to campus on tours; helping to plan and host events; and more. Students benefit not only from wages earned in their job, but also from building relationships within the campus community.
Every spring, students, staff and faculty members nominate outstanding student employees and student employee supervisors in honor of the positive contributions they make within their respective department or office.
Maddie Luft is a sophomore, studying music education from Momence, Illinois. She is nominated for her work as a circulation student assistant in the Circulation Department in Benner Library.
“Maddie leads by example,” says her supervisor, Kent Kinnersley. “She is very hard-working and focused on the job. She has a great sense of humor and a way of keeping the workplace in good spirits. She shows compassion to other student employees who may be having a difficult time and can walk through the Circulation procedures with the other student employees when they need clarification.
“Maddie’s leadership is on display during shifts in which there is no supervisor,” Kent added. “She runs the desk as well then as when there are supervisors to back up the students. Her proficiency in departmental tasks allows her to keep the Circulation desk up to par even without supervisory assistance, which is very valuable to the department.
“Maddie is a wonderful Circulation student employee,” the nomination letter concluded. “She is reliable, responsible, highly professional, and among the best when it comes to her work ethic and quality of work. When she is on shift, we know that the Circulation department will be run efficiently, effectively and to its pinnacle of productivity. These traits, combined with her attention to detail and her calm and compassionate personality when working with patrons at the main desk, make her an easy nomination for student employee of the year.”
Charles Carrigan is a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences. He was nominated by his teaching assistant (TA) employees Hayley O’Vell, Esther Lam, Kate Peeken, Katie Kunzer and Aanelyse Dascenzo.
Their nomination letter of Dr. Carrigan emphasized his commitment to departmental excellence with a focus on relational leadership.
“Dr. Carrigan is really motivated to make the geology department better and better every year and encourages his TAs to have the same mindset. He is very willing to listen TAs who have ideas about how to improve a lab, quiz, or assignment. It is clear he truly respects and values the perspectives of his TAs.”
“Dr. Carrigan is very intentional in investing in his students and employees,” the nomination form continued. “In his courses, he devotes time not only to course material, but also to growing his students as people. In Dynamic Earth, he opens each class with a discussion of what it means to be a Christian, and the virtues and vices we should be aware of in our own lives. In upper level courses he will open with a devotional related to course material or read a passage from a book written by a Christian author. He is dedicated to helping bridge the worlds of science and faith, and is very willing to have faithful discussions with students and TAs who have questions about what it means to be a Christian and a scientist.
“He frequently helps TAs network with professionals in fields they are interested, even organizing guest speaking events and dinners,” the women concluded in their nomination form. “He works incredibly hard to make geology field trips and fun and memorable time for everyone, including student employees working during the trip. He helps create a fun atmosphere even when doing more tedious work with geology-themed playlists which he makes himself. Dr. Carrigan devotes an incredible amount of time and energy to the department, and he always makes sure to recognize and value the efforts of his TAs as well.”
To learn more about student life on campus, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
