The term “years of service” doesn’t quite capture the contributions of long-serving employees, UWindsor president Alan Wildeman told a gathering Wednesday recognizing faculty and staff reaching milestones on campus.

“It’s years of commitment; it’s years of community; it’s years of dealing with challenges,” he said. “Yes, it’s years of service, but it’s years of life.”

The event celebrated employees with 10, 20, 30 or 40 years working for the University. Collectively, they have 2,060 years of dedication to the institution, noted Rita LaCivita, vice-president, human resources: “You have witnessed the growth of the University of Windsor and contributed to the success of our students.”

She said many of the attendees told her they remember their first days on the job.

One who did was Kathy Brennan, secretary to the director of the School of Dramatic Art, who joined the University’s staff in 1975.

“When I started I was in the biology department,” she recalled. “They didn’t have an office for me. I shared a space with the Xerox machine.”

She plans to retire in the next year or so, but said she will miss the place she has spent 40 years.

“It’s the kids,” Brennan said. “The kids in drama are a special bunch. It’s very much like a family there.”

At the other end of the spectrum, political science professor Jamey Essex was recognized for his 10 years at the University of Windsor, which he said “went by faster” than he had thought.

“I remember my new faculty orientation,” Dr. Essex said. “I still know some of the colleagues I met there.”

Find a full list of those honoured on the human resources website.

LaCivita also used the occasion to announce a new way to extend appreciation for the contributions of co-workers and employees through the year. Human Resources has created a recognition e-card to send electronic acknowledgement of a job well done.

“We wanted to encourage the campus community to take the time to informally celebrate the efforts and dedication of colleagues,” LaCivita said. “Sincere and genuine appreciation makes a difference every day.”

Access to the e-card template requires a UWin ID and password. Find it on the Employee Recognition website.