When I call your name, please come forward: We now turn to the dozen newest members of the college’s Quarter Century Club, observing their 25th anniversary in this academic year. Five have been with the college for more than 25 years, two for more than 30, and one for 35 – Abdul Pathan, professor of economics.Īs I call your name, please come forward: This academic year brings the departure of 37 of our workplace colleagues with nearly 300 years of experience among them. (The following is drawn from remarks by President Gilmour during a May 12 all-college meeting to close the 2021-22 academic year.)Įmployee Recognition Week has been a campus mainstay since 1997, predating my assumption of the presidency … and it will no doubt survive well into the future as noteworthy co-workers will continue to be celebrated for their contributions. Their remarks were preceded by recognition of faculty and staff with a series of end-of-semester honors – including the surprise inauguration of an award with a provenance steeped in campus lore. Reed, who put into perspective Gilmour's 'extraordinary' tenure as Penn College president: 'If someone had visited this campus in May 1998, when you became president, and did not return until today, they would be utterly astounded by the transformation.' She was followed to the lectern by her imminent successor, Michael J. If I had but one small piece of that, then my career has been fulfilled.' 'We have always worked hard, kept students in sharp focus and moved this venture forward – and in the process, we have transformed lives. 'I have made mistakes, but – together – we have accomplished a great deal through extraordinary times – not just recent months, but in 24 years of change and adaptation, feast and famine,' she said, during an emotional mix of candid self-assessment and genuine gratitude. In the final all-college address before her June 30 retirement, Pennsylvania College of Technology President Davie Jane Gilmour found the difficult words to sum up 44 years on campus – the last two-dozen as its leader.

Commuting Wife by Dean McCoy