Staff member invests in community, many reap benefits

Whether bowling strikes, judging essay contests, selling Girl Scout cookies or lending a listening ear, Brad Medlock cheerfully participates in local events that enhance the community and the lives of those who live in the area.

Medlock, a press operator in the printing services department, received the Staff Community Service Award Jan. 11 because he is one of many employees who exemplify
the university’s public affairs mission.

“Brad’s family is young and he leads them by the example of his service-driven life,” said Pamela Mayer, one of Medlock’s colleagues.

Family is one of Medlock’s most valuable investments. He volunteers as a co-director and guitarist for his church’s children’s choir; he is active in his son’s Boy Scout
troop as well as his daughter’s Girl Scout activities, to the point of being named cookie chairman; and every January he involves his entire family in the Knights Striking Out for Hunger Bowl-a-Thon sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

He especially takes pride in volunteering for the Special Olympics. Last year Medlock and fellow volunteers of the Knights of Columbus council donated $10,000 so the
Special Olympics could hold the regional bowling tournament in Joplin.

“There is no greater joy than to see 3,000 to 4,000 Special Olympians marching into the arena with the Knights to take their oath,” said Medlock of serving as an usher and color/honor guard at the event.

As the chancellor of the Knights of Columbus St. Anne Council 698, Medlock spends much of his time raising money for organizations such as the Special Olympics, ARC of the Ozarks, Children’s Hospitals and many others. In addition, Medlock donates his time to the Stephen Ministry, for which he is a trained listener. He listens to weary community members who have suffered a tragedy or can’t cope with daily life. He makes himself available to people who are emotionally exhausted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Brad increases awareness of the value of public service and creates an interest and ability in public service by living it, big as life and natural as breathing,” said Mayer.

by Erin Zoumaras, university communications graduate assistant