Service can be recognized through awards, praise and paychecks. But on Tuesday, April 22, the 75th annual gathering of the Quarter Century Club will recognize service based on longevity — and celebrate the total accumulation of 3,000 years at WSU.
The celebration kicks off with traditional breakfast items at 8 a.m. in Ensminger pavilion. The event recognizes faculty and staff who have worked at WSU for 25 years in benefits-qualifying positions. Once inducted, members are recognized as half-century members after 25 more years, even following retirement.
An impressive 120 new members will be inducted this year. Jennifer Klein, program assistant with Human Resource Services, said this is an exceptionally large year for inductees. The yearly average is usually 80 new members.
Klein said the first banquet was held in 1934. Club activity has varied throughout the years but the club’s objective, “to gather as a university community and recognize service and achievement,” has remained the same, she said.
The longest active member with approximately 60 years of service is John Gorham, with Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology.
Jacqueline Knight, with Facility Operations, is the second-longest member, with 47 years of service this June. She received the Ralph Monroe Longevity Award from President Elson S. Floyd last June.
Knight said she vividly remembers the spectacular events that have happened at WSU throughout her years here, including the eruption of Mount St. Helens and the bombing of Streit-Perham Hall.
Knight said she plans to retire in October.
“What I’ll miss most about leaving WSU are the people,” she said. “There’s always something new to learn every day.”
Maxine Andrews, with the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences, is the third-longest member, with 46 years of service. Andrews said she’s surprised it’s been that long because she doesn’t measure her time at WSU in such terms.
“Oh gosh, there have been so many wonderful experiences, I can’t pinpoint the best,” she said. “I’m just happy to be a part of a progressive college and land-grant university.”
Event attendance is $12 per person. Reservations will be accepted through Human Resource Services until April 16. For more information, contact HRS at 335-4521.
For a list of new members,visit www.employee-recognition.wsu.edu, click on “Quarter Century Club” at the left and then on “2008 Inductees.”
