Employees of the Month

Jo-Ellen Goodale has served in the Office of Spiritual Development (OSD) for seven years, playing a number of different roles over the years, both within LU Send and LU Shepherd. But this past summer, with the formation of the newly-organized department, Liberty Pastoral Counseling and Care (LPCC), she took on a new role of providing twin directorial oversight of both LPCC and LU Shepherd, assisting both areas in their operations and administration. In that role, she’s played an invaluable part in helping both areas navigate how they function and operate both with one another and with the University at large. Simply put, she’s one of the most dependable people in OSD. There are a lot of obvious and tangible things I could point to that would demonstrate the value she brings, but when I think about her and the kind of person and employee she is, I’m especially grateful for the myriad of unseen things she does. We wouldn’t be who we are as a team today without her.

-Josh Rutledge, Vice President of Spiritual Development

Emma has been part of the LUOA Transfer team for over two years, and during that time, she has continually demonstrated a high degree of character and care for her teammates. We truly appreciate her rising to the challenge and doing as good of a job as she has in her role. Whether it be managing new responsibilities, working on LUOA evaluations, or assisting with other Transfer-related projects, she always strives to serve our LUOA and LU students to the best of her abilities. Her presence on our team has been a real blessing, and we are grateful for her efforts. Emma, thank you for everything that you do and for being such an integral member of the LUOA team. We are lucky to have you!

Wynn Bailey has been an incredible part of Marketing’s video team for the past two and a half years, consistently delivering outstanding work. You may have even seen his creativity in action on the Liberty Football intro video this year. Wynn brings a positive, energetic attitude to every project and inspires those around him. Outside of work, he serves as a youth pastor at his church and truly exemplifies what it means to be a Champion for Christ. Congrats, Wynn!

We are proud to recognize Kris Becraft as our Employee of the Month. Kris consistently goes above and beyond, dedicating long hours to delivering high-quality work that strengthens our team and supports our operations. This recognition is especially meaningful as he has shown exceptional professionalism and focus while navigating the sudden loss of his brother. Kris, your resilience and dedication are truly appreciated, and our full support is with you and your family. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Becraft on a job well done and wishing him continued success.

Richard Martin plays a key role in university financial planning and analysis. Recently, he has worked on a variety of complex projects that involve budgeting, reforecasting, valuation, and ROI. Richard has a wealth of institutional knowledge and has worked on many projects involving housing, dining, transportation, and maintenance. Richard is an extremely hard worker and an invaluable member of the finance team. Thank you for all your hard work!

Over the past 17 years, Sarah has faithfully served LU—first as a student caller, then a data specialist, work leader, supervisor, and now as the Asst. Dir. of CODE. Through hard work and dedication, she has earned the respect and admiration of all who work with her. She is a wealth of knowledge, always approaching challenges with a “can-do” attitude. She doesn’t allow obstacles to stand in her way; she evaluates each task and determines the best path to success. Sarah isn’t just a good employee—she is a living example of how God calls us to serve His people in the workplace. She encourages our team, leads with grace, and serves God, her family, and her colleagues with all her heart.

Becca has been part of the Student Financial Services training team for more than 3 years, working primarily with Financial Aid new hires and providing feedback for FACC Agents. Her natural ability to connect with others creates a welcoming and encouraging environment for everyone she works with. She consistently looks for opportunities to support others, particularly the agents she coaches, ensuring they are equipped with the resources necessary for success. Her attention to detail is truly remarkable and shines through in both the quality of her work and the support she provides. Becca’s positivity, dedication, and collaborative spirit make her a joy to work with. We’re grateful to have her on the team!

Jim has been a dedicated member of the university community since June 2007. He and his wife, Sandy, have been happily married for 40 years and are proud parents of two wonderful daughters. Jim consistently goes above and beyond, always willing to step in wherever he is needed to support the university. Beyond his work, he is actively involved in volunteering at his church and enjoys cooking, visiting Disney, and cherishing time with his family. His positive attitude, reliability, and strong work ethic make him an invaluable member of the maintenance department, and he truly exemplifies the spirit of our community.