More than 200 SUNY Old Westbury employees attended the 2023 Staff Appreciation Barbecue and Service Awards held on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
“The dedication of our staff is a driving force behind our greatest achievements,” said University President Timothy E. Sams. “I am grateful that the University community is able to come together to recognize the professionalism and spirit with which we serve our students — together.”
The afternoon program, organized by the campus’ Office of Human Resources and the volunteers of the staff forum, included a lunch for all campus employees, the presentation of new awards honoring staff excellence, and the recognition of employees surpassing significant annual milestones in service to the campus.
Four new awards were presented to exemplary members of the campus’ team. Two were selected by the Office of the President with another two determined through a campus nomination process and review by the staff forum, a volunteer group that serves as a medium for administrators and staff to discuss pertinent University issues and serves as a liaison for staff members with senior administration of the campus.
The awards presented by President Timothy E. Sams were:
- President’s Excellence in Leadership Award: Danielle Collins Groner, director of communications and signature events, Office of Communications and University Relations
- President’s Excellence in Service Award: Penny Chin, director of alumni affairs, Office of Institutional Advancement
The awards presented through the Staff Forum were:
- Facilities Service Award: Claudia Lugo, cleaner, Maintenance and Facilities Department
- Cause for Applause Award: Adele Guitierrez, nurse, Student Health Services
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the campus also recognized those team members who, over the past four years, surpassed significant annual milestones as employees of SUNY Old Westbury.
More than 100 employees were honored for having surpassed 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,35,40,45, and 50 years of service.