A Day of Thanks (Not Thanksgiving)

On Nov. 14, President Sara Jayne Steen invited students, staff members, and faculty to Heritage Commons to honor employees of the University who are celebrating their retirement or landmark years of service to PSU.

At least 150 diverse community members ranging from university police officers to cooks at Prospect Dining Hall, came together and honored one another, with a short reception beforehand featuring members of the Plymouth State Jazz Ensemble.

The ceremony started with a short speech from President Steen, giving high regards to all those who have dedicated their careers to making Plymouth State a wonderful place to live, work and go to school. "You create an environment that offers our students the opportunity to excel," stated Steen.

The first part of the ceremony was dedicated to retirees, many of whom were alumni of Plymouth State themselves. Kathi Weeks Patterson, an employee of Student Account Services has worked at PSU for 23 years.

"It was great to get to know so many students, a lot of them who have graduated still keep in touch!" Patterson is a familiar face to many at the University, so much so that former students have sent their children to Patterson with help in paying tuition.

The second part of the ceremony was dedicated to employees celebrating landmark years at Plymouth State. Beverly Wilkins, a building service worker, is a familiar face around the Hartman Union Building. Wilkins is celebrating her 10 year anniversary at Plymouth State. Wilkins's family attended the recognition ceremony and watched as she proudly took a picture with President Steen. "It's so great to get to know the students in the HUB, they are always so welcoming to me!"

Stacey Curdie-Meade, a member of the information technology team is celebrating her fifteenth year with Plymouth State. "I am actually an alum of PSU, and was recently hired on to full time! I love it here, it really is a great place to work." Curdie-Meade is currently working to create an online program for the Childhood Studies Department at PSU.

Other familiar faces passed through the ceremony, such as Dean of Students Timothy Keefe, who has been with the university for 35 years, Residential Life Director Frank Cocchiarella, who has been with the university for 25 years, and Professor Scott Coykendall, who has been with the university for 10 years.

Although the annual recognition ceremony has come and gone, organizers hope that every day is a "Recognition Day."