Last May, TTUHSC began an effort to establish a sustainable values-based culture centered around five core tenets: we will work as “One Team” united and inclusive of diverse perspectives to achieve our mission; we will be “Kindhearted” by going beyond expectations to provide a helping hand and a positive attitude; we will display “Integrity” in all we do by acting honorable and trustworthy, even when no one is looking; we will be “Visionary” by nurturing innovative ideas, bold explorations and a pioneering spirit; and we will go “Beyond Service” by creating and delivering positive and defining moments.

To weave these new values-based ideals into its own cultural tapestry, TTUHSC’s Abilene campus recently organized the One Team Fun Team, a new committee established with a commitment to advancing the university’s culture and supporting its values, while making the TTUHSC campus a preferred employer in Abilene.

Abilene campus employees, Michael Gutierrez and Shona Huffstutler, co-founded the committee. Other current members include Ruth Austin (finance specialist), William Barr (safety specialist), Bill Davis (IT specialist), Nancy Cook (committee coordinator), Michelle Sperbeck (research specialist) and Dipongkor Saha, D.V.M., Ph.D. (community interest specialist).

Huffstutler said committee members are excited about hosting events that will unite all TTUHSC schools on the Abilene campus and build upon the university’s new values-based initiative.

“We are working to have events that will be all inclusive of the diversity of all the employees of our campus, which will build on the One Team value,” Huffstutler said. “By being inclusive, we believe we will also will help to advance the Kindhearted value. And by joining this committee, our members have shown themselves to be Visionary and willing to go Beyond Service, which we hope sets a good example for the rest of our campus.”

To introduce themselves to the rest of the Abilene campus, Huffstutler said the committee will organize small events to get more people on board. Their goal is to eventually host a large event, such as a campus-wide picnic lunch, that will include live entertainment. The committee kicked off its efforts Feb. 1 by hosting a Hawaiian Flowered-Shirt Day.

“The event was very lighthearted and we had a lot of participation,” Huffstutler said. “People wore their fun shirts and everyone was given a Hawaiian lei to get into the spirit. Events like this help the committee and the Abilene campus demonstrate our commitment to the university’s value-based initiatives.”