Employees recognized for length of service

'Let Your Light Shine recipients include, from left, Brooke Fitzpatrick, Meredith Lopez, Paula Wallace, Marlinda Hines-Sloan and Kerrie Bathje. Also in the photo are, starting fifth from left, Danny Felipe-Morales, chair of the Exempt Professional Assembly; Deserae Frisk, chair of the Staff Council; Don Elliman, chancellor; Lilly Marks, vice president for health affairs and executive vice chancellor for the Anschutz Medical Campus; and Kevin Jacobs, assistant vice chancellor for human resources

University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus employees who have reached milestone years of service were applauded May 31 for their uncommon loyalty, energetic spirit and dedication to students.

The annual awards ceremony recognizes employees who have completed five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service, or even longer. It also honors Employees of the Month (Staff Council) and Let Your Light Shine (Exempt Professional Assembly) award recipients.

The luncheon recognized 230 employees at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver. Vice President for Health Affairs and Executive Vice Chancellor for the Anschutz Medical Campus Lilly Marks and Chancellor Don Elliman spoke to the large crowd before Kevin Jacobs, assistant vice chancellor for human resources, announced the long-term employees.

"For the past five years or the past 40 years -- and I have to say I know some of you from almost back that far -- this institution has excelled in your capable hands," Marks said. "This gathering today represents literally thousands of years of collective experience, and we thank you, our honorees, for the professionalism that you have provided and the commitment and loyalty to our institution. You are truly the backbone of our institution. We are fortunate to call you colleagues."

Marks said the university's employees continually rise to the challenge, particularly in these times of shrinking resources and demands to do more with less. Employees have responded with creativity, flexibility and hard work. "You have been so vital to the growth and improvement of the university over a significant number of years," Marks said. "This is a celebration of your impressive record of service and a sincere expression of appreciation by the university for all that you've made possible."

Elliman echoed remarks made by Marks, and noted that the people in the room impact students' lives "as much or maybe more than any of us do." He added, "It means more to this enterprise, and most importantly to the students, who are the key to this enterprise, than we can possibly ever express to you."

Four employees reached the 35-year plateau and one, Susan Hom, a library technician at the Auraria Library, reached 40 years.

Each honoree received a certificate of service and they will also receive a gift card.

The full list of honorees can be viewed at http://www.ucdenver.edu/about/newsroom/newsreleases/Documents/PDF/2013EmpRecForPubPDF.pdf.