2009 Staff Awards Ceremony
On Wednesday, June 3, Cal State Northridge held its 43rd Annual Staff Service Awards and Excellence Recognition Event. I always look forward to this celebration because it honors the staff of the University: the dedicated employees responsible for the outstanding day-to-day operations of Cal State Northridge who work in support of student learning and of the scholarship and teaching of our faculty.
Regrettably, an important meeting of CSU presidents with the Chancellor related to the state budget situation was called at the last minute that required me to miss this year’s ceremony. Nevertheless, though I could not attend personally, I wish to acknowledge the event and acknowledge the outstanding employees of our University.
The event traditionally honors employees who have reached milestone years of service in five year increments. This year staff who have served at Cal State Northridge for 5 years through 40 years were recognized. (A list of this year’s honored staff may be found here.)
As was mentioned at the event, the cumulative years of service represented by the nearly 300 people honored at the Staff Service Awards ceremony reflects an astounding 4000 years of service. However, it is not the length of service we recognize with these awards, but rather the years of genuine commitment to the mission of the University and to student success. Although each of us has specific tasks and responsibilities at the University, I take great pride in knowing that we are a community that works as a team with a shared focus on student learning and excellence.
The recognition ceremony also honors both individual and team achievement through several Merit Awards, a Team Award, and the Presidential Award, which annually recognizes a single employee for outstanding performance. The Merit Awards are a wonderful reminder of the diversity of important roles that exist at the University. Similarly, the Team Awards—this year’s honorees were the Subtropical Rainforest Team and the Oviatt Library Innovative Millennium Team—serve as wonderful examples of what can be accomplished with teamwork and innovation.
Finally, I am pleased to honor Ms. Estelle Hekkers as the recipient of the 2009 Presidential Award, who also was recognized at the ceremony for 35 years of service. As many people who have worked directly with Ms. Hekkers know (and there are many of us!), she is a “go-to” person at the University with extensive knowledge of University and system policies and a deep reserve of institutional memory. More important than knowing “the rules,” however, she also always knows how to get a job done and always does so with good humor and a positive attitude. She is an outstanding representative of all the men and women who commit themselves every day at the University to the success of students and the advancement of the institution, and well deserving of this award.
While I could not attend this year’s Staff Service Awards and Excellence Recognition Event, I salute everyone who was honored at the event, as well as the continued excellence and commitment of the entire staff at Cal State Northridge. My thanks to Provost Harry Hellenbrand who acted as my stand-in at the ceremony, and to the planning committee that made the celebration another joyous and fun-filled event.
