Employee with 40 Years of Service Among More
than 500 Staff Members Recognized at Award Ceremony

Ioana Patringenaru | November 17, 2008

Darlene Newell (left) was the sole employee to be recognized for 40 years of service Thursday.
(Photo / Kevin A. Walsh)

When Darlene Newell first came to UC San Diego 40 years ago, students used to stage protests at Revelle Plaza and well-known philosopher Herbert Marcuse was on the faculty. Four decades later, the campus has undergone dramatic changes, but Newell has stayed put.

Thursday, she was recognized for her 40 years of service to the university, along with 505 other staff members. Together, they’ve put in 8,770 years at UCSD—or 18.3 million man-hours, as Chancellor Marye Anne Fox pointed out.

“All of you have played a really important role in advancing UCSD’s mission and its standing,” Fox said. She went on to thank staff members for their long years of service.

“That loyalty is worth a whole lot and I am very grateful,” she said. “Without your contribution, this university would be nowhere near where it is.”

Thomas Leet, assistant vice chancellor of Human Resources, echoed Fox’s comments. “There’s a lot of experience in this room and a tremendous amount of excellence,” he told staff members and their families gathered to receive their service awards at the Price Center West Ballroom.

In all, 506 staff members were recognized.

Names of staff members with 10, 15 and 20 years were read from the podium. Employees with 25 years of service or more walked up to the podium to receive their awards. Among this year’s honorees was Mary Walshok, associate vice chancellor for public programs and dean of UCSD Extension, who was recognized for 35 years of service. Earl Edwards, the campus’ athletics director, was recognized for 15 years.

With 40 years of service, Newell was the last to be recognized Thursday. She said she stayed on campus because it always evolves. “It’s an interesting place to work,” she said. “It’s ever-changing.”

Newell’s first job was in the philosophy department, in 1967, during the time of Angela Davis and Herbert Marcuse. Her office was right across from Revelle Plaza and she could see demonstrations right outside her window. “Those were the wild and crazy years,” she said.

UCSD back then had a small-town feeling, she recalls, where everyone knew everyone else. Staff members used to head out to La Jolla for lunch. “Everybody used to work hard,” she said. “But we went out together.”

Assistant Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Tom Leet spoke during the Service Awards ceremony.

Newell went on to work for what has now become Academic Computing Services, then for Facilities Management and finally for Physical Planning. Her favorite job was working as the administrative assistant for the associate vice chancellor of Facilities Management. Newell has been in her current position for two decades and says she really enjoys the people she works with. “They’re a great bunch,” she said.

She particularly enjoys working with young people, she said. “It keeps your mind sharp,” she explained, adding she likes to learn new computer skills. When she doesn’t work, Newell likes to exercise. She used to train as a body-builder, she also said.

An Oceanside native, she was raised in Vista. She worked for the Escondido Union High School District before coming to UCSD. She is now widowed and lives with her Siamese cat, Kona Blue. She said she plans to keep working at UCSD to build up her retirement.

“I’m still doing it all,” she said. “I’m the girl Friday.”