It was 1969, the same year Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, when John Borla, Yolanda Richmond and Fred Sopron started working at the University of Chicago. The three were among eight 40-year employees gathered Wednesday, June 16 at the Staff Service Recognition Reception in the Reynolds Club, where President Zimmer and other University officials congratulated them on their milestones.
Though the program traditionally has focused on staff members reaching 25 and 40 years of service, the University expanded this year’s event to honor employees who reached 10, 15 and 20 years of service in 2009. “I hope to stay another 40 years,” said Borla, a student-housing supervisor.
“Events like this are important to recognize the essential contributions of the staff members of our University, which are invaluable to the ongoing success and advancement of the University of Chicago,” President Robert J. Zimmer said at the reception.
Thomas Rosenbaum, Provost, Nim Chinniah, Vice President for Administration and CFO, and Kimberly Goff Crews, Vice President for Campus and Student Life and Dean of Students in the University, joined Zimmer in expressing their gratitude for the honorees’ years of dedicated service to the University. After a short recognition ceremony, the festivities continued in Hutchinson Courtyard.
“My ideal work home actually exists and is second to none,” said Gerard Mikols, Associate Dean for Medical Education–Administration, Pritzker School of Medicine.. Mikols celebrated 25 years with the University in 2009, and was honored at the event.
For many, the celebration brought fond memories to mind.
“There is something about being employed at a university,” said Sopron, an electronics engineer. “The enthusiasm shown by the young students keeps you energized and campus activities such as Cobb Hall exhibits enrich your experiences.”
Sopron spent his first 26 or so years working at the Laboratory for Astrophysics and Space Research in the Enrico Fermi Institute, helping build scientific instruments that measured cosmic rays on space satellites.
He later switched to physical science, taking a job at the Consortium for Advanced Radiation Sources, where he provides support for users of Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source.
Mikols said he loves working in a place where “people come to talk about ideas and concepts.” He said he often tries to take advantage of visits by guest lecturers. He especially enjoyed hearing talks by the late John Rawls and the late Jacques Derrida, both well-known philosophers, Mikols said.
Yolanda Richmond has had the same job for 40 years as the administrative secretary for Dr. Samuel Refetoff, director of the Endocrinology Laboratory. Richmond said she couldn’t be happier. “I won’t leave until [Refetoff] leaves,” she said. “I love my job.”
For Richmond, the University has provided more than career fulfillment. A few months after she started, a co-worker set her up with her nephew. The pair, who first met on Valentine’s Day 1969, have been married 40 years.
Borla, the student housing supervisor, said the University has provided a sense of security he didn’t have growing up in government housing at 26th Street and California Avenue. His mother had been widowed when he was only 3 years old.
“I feel honored to work here,” said Borla, a self-described “poor little kid from the projects” who went on to supervise engineering operations for all four dining halls.
His only complaint: “I couldn’t find a place to park then, and I can’t now,” he joked.
Joining Borla, Richmond and Sopron in celebrating 40 years of service are:
- James H. Hamaguchi, preparations assistant, preservation, Special Collections Research Center
- Keith Madderom, associate dean of administration, School of Social Service Administration
- Rene Rodriguez, computer operator, Information Technology Services
- Pearline Thigpen, secretary IV, SSA
- Rebecca Weir, system analyst, Alumni Relations and Development
Employees celebrating 25 years of service are:
- Barbara Backe, senior communications news writer, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
- Michael Allen Beckett, clinical research data manager, Radiation/Oncology
- Roberta B. Carden, secretary V, General Surgery
- Clara Carlin, administrative assistant, Vice President for Development
- Dora Davis, library supervisor II, Law Technical Services
- Mary Esquivel, administrative coordinator and budget manager, Office of the Provost
- William Harms, associate news director, University News and Information
- Stephen Heimsath, mechanical design engineer II, Physical Sciences Division Technical Center
- Gretchen Hendrie, secretary IV, Neurology
- Charles Hill, housekeeping assistant, International House
- Nancy Jackson, research project manager, Pulmonary & Critical Care
- Gerard Jendraszkiewicz, electronics Engineer, James Franck Institute
- Gweneth G. Jessen, senior director, College Development
- Denise M. Jorgens, director of programs and external relations, International House
- Elisabeth M. Karl, IT contract administrator, General Administration
- Romella Lee, department administrator I, General Surgery
- John Lukens, senior research technician, Pathology
- Linda McClarnan, publications specialist II, Office of the President
- Gerard Mikols, Associate Dean for Medical Education-Administration, Pritzker School of Medicine
- Gail Parks, interlibrary loan-lending assistant, Joseph Regenstein Library
- Elizabeth F. Pod, research engineer, PSD Technical Center
- Ella M. Reed, subfill operations administrator, Press, Journals
- Barbara Sellers, acquisitions assistant, Joseph Regenstein Library
- James Skish, financial manager, Biological Sciences Division, Shared Research Facilities
- Vujasin Srecko, housekeeping assistant, Facilities Services
—Prof. Kunle Odunsi
