In the summer of 1983, Monica Partsch packed up her car and drove from Starkville, Mississippi, to Washington, D.C., which at the time she just knew as a city “up there.”
When she finally arrived at her destination—the George Washington University, where she was set to be a member of the swim team, Partsch put the car in park and leaned her seat back to settle in for a night of sleep. While the Charles E. Smith Center parking lot, where townhouses now stand in its place, may not have been the most luxurious place to spend her first night in D.C., Partsch recalls the memory with fondness as it marked the official beginning of her GW journey that has now spanned four decades.
Partsch, B.A. ’90, M.A. ’99, currently the assistant dean for faculty affairs and program development at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, was among those recognized Tuesday for reaching 40 years of service to the university at the annual Career Milestones lunches honoring GW staff members who hit 20-plus year landmarks. Staff members who celebrated five, 10 or 15-year anniversaries were recognized on Wednesday. Both events took place in the Elliott School of International Affairs’ City View Room.
Working her way from Smith Center lifeguard to her current role, Partsch has long been energized by the people who make up GW’s diverse community, which has been her own for her entire working life.
“My first impressions of GW were that it was very different from the southern campuses that are very green, but it was really the people and the variety of people from all over the world,” Partsch said. “I mean, it was really incredible, really incredible.”
Prior to joining the Milken Institute SPH Office of Faculty Affairs, Partsch served as director of faculty affairs and program development for the GW Medical Center, director of graduate medical education in the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences as well as other positions since her employment in 1983, which include senior secretary to the Smith Center director and a stint in the GW Law Alumni Office.
Partsch took advantage of the staff tuition remission benefits to become a double alumna of the institution, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1990 and a Master of Arts in human resource development in 1999.
Through her variety of roles, she has created strong bonds and built community with a wide range of GW community members, which has allowed her to grow with the university through the years.
“I think I’ve made it a point to get to know people to create my own network and fabric community within the university, just as all the staff creates their own network to keep the university going,” Partsch said.
That’s the exact message GW President Ellen M. Granberg had while speaking at her first Career Milestone lunches Tuesday and Wednesday, which included toasts to those honored.
Joking Tuesday that she may have the least amount of GW experience in the room, Granberg shared how she has valued every opportunity to get to know and recognize GW’s staff and that it’s clear the university is a “world-class institution” thanks in large part to its “world-class staff.”
“Each of you brings a unique experience and knowledge to your work—and the importance of your contributions to this institution really cannot be understated,” Granberg said. “You bring expertise, you bring perspective and you bring dedication that keep us moving forward.
“While I know there is variation in the kinds of things we all do, we are all united in making GW a great place to live, to learn and to work. People are proud to be a part of GW, and they’re proud of the work that we do and the mission that we have.”
It’s easy to see that pride on the face of Peter Clarke, a crew leader in Facilities, Planning, Construction and Management who also celebrated 40 years of service. He feels a sense of duty to share that pride with others, including prospective students. Over the years, Clarke has been one of the first faces students and families see at the start of their GW journeys. A crew member who has worked in the University Student Center and residence halls during his time at GW, Clarke, a self-described “lover of meeting new people,” has frequently delivered his best sales pitch to high school and transfer students touring a university that feels like home to him.
“When parents come and bring their children here, I try to welcome them and tell them how the environment here is nice and that the people here are great,” Clarke said.
And people remember his warm personality, capped off by a signature smile. Oftentimes when students come back as alumni, they make a point to say hi to Clarke.
“I have met a lot of students who have graduated, and they come back and say, ‘you’re still here!’ and I say ‘Yeah!’” Clarke said. “Because of the people, GW is really a remarkable place to work.”
Granberg gave pins to staff members recognized for 40-plus years of service, which included Partsch, Clarke, Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement Helen Cannaday Saulny; and School of Medicine and Health Sciences Library Manager Catherine Sluder. Facilities, Planning, Construction and Management Senior Service Worker Calvin Williams, who was not in attendance at the Career Milestone luncheon, was recognized for 50 years of service.
Vice President of Human Resource Management and Development and Chief People Officer Sabrina Minor, who herself was celebrating 10 years at GW, introduced Granberg and noted how many examples there are of how staff members have impacted the lives of students, faculty and fellow staff.
“This is why we are here to celebrate,” Minor said. “(Today) is about looking back on the work that each of you have done over the years and celebrating how you have shaped the university.”
