SOU’s student government has partnered with President Rick Bailey and the Dean of Students office to demonstrate the power of a sucker. The collaboration – called “Lollipop Moments” – offers students an opportunity to acknowledge the good work and thoughtful deeds of SOU faculty and staff members.

The program is part of President Bailey’s Project Architect initiative to increase enrollment and retention at SOU by encouraging employees to cultivate helpful and caring relationships with students. The actions of faculty and staff members can be recognized by students with the presentation of a lollipop – which can be found at the housing, library or Stevenson Union welcome desks, or at the offices of the Associated Students of SOU or the Dean of Students.

“Lollipop Moments” can be recorded by going online or scanning a QR code found on the backs of the specially-made suckers. Students who are unable to deliver a lollipop in person can fill out a form to have an ASSOU member make the presentation.

The project was launched on February 2, and in just its first week a total of six students made their own Lollipop Moment presentations and another 38 sent their lollipops via ASSOU. Student leaders said that “countless other” lollipops were given but not logged.

Robert Gretta, an assistant professor in SOU’s Theatre Department, scored three lollipops in just the first week of the program.

“Robert helped me gain confidence in my abilities and skills as a stage manager, and as a student in general,” one student said on the online submission form. “I’ve faced a lot of difficulties this year, deciding if theatre was the right path for me or not, but I’ve been able to keep chasing my dream thanks to his help.”

Another student had nothing but praise for Liz DeFranco, an advisor in the Success at Southern TRIO Student Support Services program.

“If I come to Liz with a problem, she will immediately get on to how to answer my questions and get me to the right resources,” said the student – one of two who awarded lollipops to DeFranco. “She’s someone I can talk to and just have listen to whatever is going on. Liz recommended that I apply for a scholarship I would not have heard of otherwise, and I won it. Thanks to Liz, I am able to afford my tuition.”

William Greene, a professor in the School of Education, was credited with helping his students cope with school – and with life.

“His commitment to his craft, students and faculty has genuinely saved lives,” a student said on the submission form. “I speak for multiple people when I say that Dr. Greene has showed up for us when we need it most. As an advisor, professor and mentor, he has continued to provide us with quality support and genuine love.”

And others have been celebrated for more general reasons.

“Tom is a cool dude,” a student said in recognizing Tom Fagerholm, an assistant professor in the Theatre Department.

SOU’s “Lollipop Moments” initiative was inspired by the “Everyday Leadership: The Lollipop Moment” Ted Talk by Canadian speaker, author and educator Drew Dudley, who suggests that leadership can take the form of everyday behaviors that have positive impacts on others. Dudley’s Ted Talk has been viewed more than 6.5 million times.