Christopher Heath, a sophomore marketing major from Wildersville studying at the University of Tennessee at Martin Parsons Center, was the recipient of the spring 2026 Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award.
Heath is a student worker in the UT Martin Parsons Center front office, supervised by Kelli Deere, director of the UT Martin Parsons Center. The award was presented to him April 15 by Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. at the UT Martin Parsons Center.
“(Christopher) is the very first person you meet when you walk through the door,” Deere stated in her letter of nomination. “That first impression matters, and Christopher represents our center with professionalism, warmth and maturity well beyond his years. He dresses professionally, greets every visitor with respect, and creates a welcoming environment for students, faculty and community members alike.
“In addition to his front-office responsibilities, Christopher was one of our very first PEP (Peer-Enabling Program) leaders for the Parsons Center. As a PEP leader, he helped set the tone and standard for student leadership within our program. He has been instrumental in building a positive student culture and modeling involvement, responsibility, and school pride for others to follow.”
Deere spoke of a time when the center’s maintenance person was out for a medical procedure and Heath stepped up.
“Without being asked, he came to me and said, ‘What do you need done? I will help,’” she stated. “Since that time, he has replaced more than 100 damaged ceiling tiles due to the ice storm, changed numerous light bulbs throughout the building, assisted with recruitment during Preview Days, and willingly taken on tasks well outside his job description. He never complains and never seeks recognition; he simply sees a need and fills it.
“Christopher is highly self-motivated and genuinely invested in making our center the best it can be for students and staff. He does not wait to be told what to do; he anticipates needs, takes ownership and follows through. His work ethic, dependability, leadership, and servant-hearted attitude make him an invaluable member of our team.”
The Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award is named for the late Beth Parsons Maloan (1951-2001), longtime UT Martin director of budgeting and payroll, who was a strong advocate of student employment. It recognizes exemplary work ethic and commitment to the university.
The award was established by the university in May 2001 soon after Maloan died following a long bout with cancer. Malone worked at UT Martin from 1976 to 2001 and served as the director of finance and budgeting from 1988 to 2001. She also taught classes in the College of Business and Public Affairs.
The award is given each semester to a student nominated by his or her supervising office or department. The award includes a $1,000 cash award and an engraved plaque.
To be eligible for this award, the student must have been employed on campus for a minimum of one year, be a full-time undergraduate and carry a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5.
The recipient is selected based on problem-solving and decision-making skills, dependability, interpersonal skills and communication, teamwork, customer service, productivity, self-motivation and on- and off-campus working relationships.
For more information about UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861).
PHOTO: UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. (left) is shown presenting the spring 2026 Beth Maloan Outstanding Student Employee Award to Christopher Heath on April 15 at the UT Martin Parsons Center.
