Why do people keep working at the George Washington University for five years? Or 10? Or 40? A big part of the answer is the quality of the people the university attracts, as Zephra Coles, currently celebrating 45 years at GW, told GW Today.
Longtime employees were honored at two celebrations Wednesday, culminating in a toast led by President Ellen M. Granberg. She was joined by Sabrina Minor, vice president and chief people officer, in presiding over the salutes, both at the City View Room.
At the morning gathering, people marking five, 10 or 15 years of service were recognized. Granberg remarked on some of the historical events that would have been in the news when people joined the university 15 years ago.
“They started around 2011, the year the second Harry Potter movie was released, ‘Game of Thrones’ premiered on HBO and the final mission of NASA’s Space Shuttle program was launched,” Granberg said. “Here at GW, then-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg served as our Commencement speaker on the National Mall.”
Staff members honored at the afternoon luncheon were celebrating 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service. Granberg spoke briefly about the current events around the time Coles joined the university 45 years ago.
“MTV was launched, the first IBM personal computer went on sale, the space shuttle Columbia made its inaugural flight, the average price of a dozen eggs was less than a dollar and a postage stamp was 18 cents,” Granberg said. “But even with everything that has changed, Zephra has remained a part of GW’s story through decades of growth and discovery.”
To remain on the staff of an institution for decades is impressive under any circumstances, Granberg said, but is even more significant when people stay through periods of change and uncertainty like GW, as well as higher education in general, has seen.
Both Granberg and Minor said the career milestone celebrations are among their favorite events each year.
“What really makes GW special is not just where we are or what we do,” Minor said. “It’s the people who make it happen every single day. Today is our time to recognize the people who make the university feel like a community. Today is about the people who make GW feel special.”
The work of GW staff members makes them interconnected parts of something bigger than themselves, Granberg said.
“I don't think we should take that sense of connection for granted because it's really something that gets built over many years of commitment to a place and to the people that make up the place,” she added. “It gets created through shared experiences, through everyday acts of generosity and the willingness to keep going together, even at those times when the path forward's not necessarily crystal clear.”
Granberg lauded employees for making a positive difference in the lives of the people around them, thereby making the university a better place for everyone.
“Your work may not always be fully visible to the broader community. Many, many people keep this place going, and a student may not ever have the benefit of getting to meet you. But I want you to know the ways in which you have shaped the experiences that our students carry with them. Every one of you has created the environment in which these amazing young people get an extraordinary education and get the foundation to go on and do the amazing things that they do,” Granberg said.
Shanna Roth, M.A. ’01, is an operations manager in the chemistry department. Now celebrating her 25th year at GW, she started out in the department of romance languages before eventually moving to chemistry. The people there, she said, are what has kept her at GW for a quarter century.
“It isn’t often that you really like the people you work with,” Roth said. “I’d be afraid to leave, because the people might not be so great at my next job.”
Sunil Patil has worked in Information Technology (IT) at GW for 25 years as of last March. Prior to joining the university, he had taught at an engineering college in Nagpur, in his native India.
“I love doing IT work, and I like working in higher education,” Patil said. “I get to learn new things all the time. I can help make students’ lives easier, and also help with the administration. I’m really happy with leadership here for creating an environment where we can be creative."
Minor and Granberg thanked employees for choosing to dedicate their time and talent to GW.
“Thank you for your professionalism, your kindness and your dedication to the GW community,” Minor said. “We are extremely grateful for you, and we are so proud to celebrate this milestone with you.”
“I appreciate so much the people who have really made this place their career,” Granberg said, “because you made it the place that I wanted to come. And I am happier today that I came than the day I signed my contract.”
Lifting her glass in a toast, Granberg ended her remarks by reiterating her main points, concluding, “Thank you again for everything, and Raise High.”
