The George Washington University held the 2013 Career Milestone Awards last Thursday and Friday to honor staff for their years of service. More than 440 employees were recognized for milestones ranging from five to 45 years at GW.
The annual ceremony is a chance for the university to extend its gratitude to longtime employees. “We’re building a culture of recognition around GW,” said Colonial Community Employee Program Coordinator Brenda Jones. “This type of formal recognition shows employees, ‘We recognize your hard work, and we appreciate you.’”
Honorees with five to 15 years of experience at the university attended a ceremony and reception in the Marvin Center on Thursday. A luncheon was held Friday for those who have worked at GW for 20 or more years.
President Steven Knapp—who himself celebrated a five-year employment milestone—thanked employees through a video introduced by Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Forrest Maltzman.
His message was followed by video footage of students, staff and faculty from all over campus praising the event attendees.
Vice President for University Human Resources Sabrina Ellis provided opening remarks, commending employees for their dedication and exemplary work. “GW would not be what it is if it weren’t for you. On behalf of all the senior administration at GW, I say congratulations and, most importantly, I say thank you.”
Her remarks on Friday included a special thanks to Joyce Dozier, a crew leader celebrating her 35th year working at GW. Ms. Dozier began working at the university as a housekeeper and became one of the first employees to enroll in GW’s adult literacy program. Ms. Ellis lauded her for overcoming obstacles and embodying the university’s values.
Three staff and faculty members were honored for 45 years of service: vehicle mechanic Jesse Henderson; Truman Chambers, a tech specialist in the Himmelfarb Library; and Charlene Bickford, director and co-editor of the First Federal Congress Project.
An alumna, Ms. Bickford came to GW as a graduate student in 1966 and began working at the university shortly after as a typist in the Department of History. “When I came here, this was a pretty small operation compared to what it is now,” she said, recalling the university decades ago.
She looks back at her 45 years at the university fondly, saying, “GW’s a wonderful institution to work for and a stimulating environment. I’ve been very lucky to work here and see this project from beginning to end.”