Chris Virgin and Darren Ray were selected as recipients of the spring 2026 Outstanding Employee Awards, which were presented April 23 at the Spring Clerical and Support Staff Coffee at the Boling University Center.
Virgin, who is a landscaping manager on the grounds team in the Physical Plant, received the award for exempt employees and staff. He was nominated for his exemplary work for the beautification of the campus as well as for his positive and professional attitude.
“His cool-headed approach to leadership and intelligent planning helps his employees better understand the scope of their jobs and how their work impacts the whole campus community,” said Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. in presenting the award.
“Always caring and optimistic, Chris takes great care to ensure his team has what it needs to perform their jobs well to make the campus safe for our students, faculty and staff. Grounds work is often done behind the scenes, yet it’s the first thing people notice when they come to campus.”
Virgin also received the MVP Award for his work following the winter snow event in late January.
“He worked on campus every day and many extra hours, even on weekends, while experiencing difficulties with the snow equipment – and amid personal sickness and cold and difficult work conditions – to clear the ice and snow,” Freeman said. “He used his personal vehicle to pick up employees at their homes who weren’t able to drive and brought them to work and took them back home at the end of the day. He even pulled one of his employees out of an icy driveway.”
Ray, a custodian supervisor in the Physical Plant, received the award for non-exempt employees and staff. He was nominated for his outstanding work in maintaining the UT Martin sports venues for more than 180 sports events throughout the academic year.
“Darren Ray is the consistent, dependable worker who is behind the successes of all those events,” Freeman said in presenting Ray with the award. “Darren is responsible for ensuring all locker rooms are cleaned, public restrooms are stocked with supplies, benches are set and organized, and courts are cleaned.
“In addition to athletics events, Darren also manages custodial duties of special events such as commencement, concerts, the Harlem Globetrotters basketball game, Preview Day, Freshman Welcome Weekend, Homecoming events like Pyramid and NPC Step Show, and Greek Week activities like Line Dance and IFC Step Show.”
The UT Martin Outstanding Employee Awards program was instituted on Oct. 27, 1987, by then-Chancellor Margaret Perry. The first recipients of the award in fall 1987 were Steve Rogers of the Paul Meek Library (exempt) and Linda Keene of the Department of Biological Sciences (non-exempt).
The program, now in its 39th year, is intended to recognize and express appreciation to employees who daily demonstrate outstanding human relations skills and a commitment to the “Campus That Cares” philosophy.
The selection process is based not only on outstanding job performance but also on attitude, relationships with various university constituents, initiative and dedication to the university. Recipients are nominated by their coworkers and chosen by a selection committee.
