Service milestones from five to 35 years were recognized at the Staff Recognition Luncheon held May 30 in the Natali Performance Center.
President Geraldine Jones; Fawn Petrosky, recognized for 30 years of service; and Vice President for Administration and Finance Robert Thorn.
“I want you to know that the vice presidents and I appreciate your dedication and commitment to serving this wonderful institution and most importantly our students,” said University President Geraldine M. Jones.
“We have a wonderful staff here at Cal U, and I understand all that you do on a daily basis in order to make this University run efficiently and effectively.”
Alumna Mary Paula Birkinsha, an assistant in Manderino Library, was the 35-year honoree.
She has served several positions in the circulation/reserve area, and part of her current role includes hiring and coordinating 55 student workers and two graduate assistants each academic year.
“I really enjoy the students day-to-day and have an open-door policy with them so they can come in and get me anytime they need anything,” she said. “When they stay with us four years you see such a big difference in them from when they were freshmen.
“They’re great kids, I work with great people and I like my job a lot.”
Thirty-year award recipient Bob Wadsworth, an electrician and president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees local union, could not attend the luncheon but spoke earlier about what longevity says about a workplace.
“A long time ago an older gentleman told me you can always tell how good a place is when you have people stay there 30-plus years,” he said. “I love my job, am grateful for it, and am definitely a Cal U guy.
"Like many, I want to see us progress, move forward and do well.”
Julie Kingsley, clerical supervisor for University Printing Services, was another 30-year honoree.
Shortly after starting at Cal U she raised two boys as a single parent.
“I have always felt that getting my job at Cal U came at the right time in my life,” said Kingsley, who last summer received a Rose Day Award for Volunteerism from the Zonta Club of Washington County. “Working at Cal U has helped to educate me about diversity and be very accepting of people.”
The other 30-year recipients included Bridgette Law, a clerk in Academic Records; Fawn Petrosky, associate vice president for Administration and Finance; and Nancy Pinardi, vice president for Student Affairs.
In addition to recognizing staff service, two special awards have been created. Nominations for the fall 2019 Vulcan Staff Awards will be accepted through Aug. 1.