Serving a Purpose
Service Award Recipients Embody Campus Community

By Colleen DeLory | October 25, 2004

Bobbie Gray, pictured above, receives an Exemplary Employee of the Year Award earlier this year from David Miller, acting senior vice chancellor of Academic Affairs.

In 1968, John McCleary's vision of long-term employment was five or more years. However, the Revelle graduate found that explosive growth in technology and computing provided endless reasons to continue his work at the university. On Tuesday, Oct. 26, he and 13 other staff members will be honored for 35 years of service to UCSD.

In total, 529 staff members will be recognized for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service at the 37th Annual Service Awards ceremony. Combined, it totals a whopping 9,285 years.

"It's been my pleasure to preside over the Service Awards ceremony for more than ten years," said Rogers Davis, assistant vice chancellor of Human Resources. "It never ceases to impress me - the loyalty, knowledge and abilities these people have brought to the university. I think it attests to the opportunities and challenges fostered here.

" Bobbie Gray, who will also be recognized for 35 years of service at this year's ceremony, couldn't agree more. From her roots as "a black woman from Texas who got married at an early age and pulled cotton for a living," Gray moved to San Diego, got a job at UCSD, finished her education, and followed a path to her current position as an advisor in Career Services. "I feel it has been a dream. I feel extremely blessed," said Gray.

The upcoming ceremony, to be held in the Price Center Ballroom, is one of the ways in which the university publicly acknowledges the dedication of its staff members. Each honoree receives a ribbon and certificate of appreciation, while those with 25 or more years of service receive UCSD paperweights and other engraved tokens of appreciation. The latter group will also have their pictures taken with David Miller, acting senior vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, who will represent the chancellor at the ceremony. The festive mood is enhanced by the music of pianist Gail Gipson and a buffet of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres.

For many, it's a rare opportunity to take a breather from a busy schedule and reflect on the changes they've seen over the years. Thirty-five year honoree Carol DeJohnette, a finance specialist in Career Services, reflects on former offices she occupied in a marine barrack - even one with a urinal! Additions like the Faculty Club, Price Center and RIMAC were important factors in creating a cohesive and mainstream university environment notes McCleary, director of business process initiatives in Administrative Computing and Telecommunications.

"Our capital projects over the last 20 years have transformed a sleepy campus into a thriving community," said McCleary.

Asked what's the best thing about working at UCSD, honorees are quick to respond. "Besides Dr. Watson, well let me see. For me, it's all of these people here helping to educate our children in one way or another," said DeJohnette.

McCleary concurs, "The university is really about the people - students, faculty and staff - the people that I have worked and interacted with have been exceptional.

Quick to acknowledge the impact others have had on their lives, these honorees will have the spotlight reversed come Tuesday.

"We can't thank them enough for what they have helped the university achieve," said Davis. "It's one of the real highlights of my year to present these awards."