Faculty and staff gathered in the Gerlinger Lounge on Tuesday afternoon to honor 176 of the University’s classified employees. They’re the people who make the University work.
The responsibilities of the University’s classified staff are too many and too varied to put into a few paragraphs, said co-chair of the Classified Staff Training and Development Advisory Committee Mandy Chong, but their responsibilities include maintenance of buildings, printing, selling books, serving food, helping students register for classes, admissions, groundskeeping and secretary work.
“The classified staff are the backbone of this campus,” Chong said.
The reception, which is in its seventh year, recognized 176 employees who had collected five to 30 years of service for the University.
“I’m all for the University taking a time out to recognize the service of our employees,” said Kathy Cooks, a special programs coordinator in Human Resources who was in charge of organizing the event. “We are here to celebrate the years of service of our colleagues.”
Classified employees here are at the University are support employees who do not serve in an instructional or educational administrative capacity. Nevertheless, as University President Dave Frohnmayer said in his speech to the group, they are crucial in helping the University run. These employees have been there to “crunch the numbers” and “install the water and heating systems,” Frohnmayer said.
The event originated out of one of the CSTDAC’s bi-annual discussions. The group, which advises the University administration on classified staff issues, decided that it was important to acknowledge and honor these employees of the University who may not get recognized for their work.
“We come out here every year to say thank you for all of the work you do,” Chong said. “We appreciate everything you do for us and everyone on campus.”
Janet Naylor was one of three employees to be recognized for 30 or more years of service at the event. Naylor, who currently works as a clerical specialist in the English Department, said she has had a variety of jobs on campus during her 30-year career.
“This University is really aware of the dynamic of people,” Naylor said. “This is somewhere special. That’s why I’m still here.”
Naylor said that while she has seen changes on campus since she first started working, there is a culture at the University that doesn’t really change.
“It just gets richer,” she said.
President Frohnmayer also spoke about the crucial role employees like Naylor have played over the last 30 years.
“During the last 30 years the University has surmounted great obstacles,” he said. “Each one of you has played an essential role in that accomplishment. Without you, it would not have happened, so I say, most sincerely, thank you.”
Kat Kordon, the associate director of student financial services, came to the event to honor a few of her staff members from the Business Affairs office.
“It’s important to recognize employees for all their hard work and dedication and show they’re appreciated,” she said.