The year was 1970, and UofL was a small municipal school that had just entered the state system of higher education. In many ways, UofL then was a completely different university from what it is now. One of the most obvious of those differences was its physical appearance. Both Belknap Campus and the Health Sciences Center had completely different looks. Many of the buildings considered now to be campus anchors didn’t even exist.

Carolyn Ann Stevens, a unit business manager for Housing and Residence Life, said the physical environment is the change that stands out most to her in the time she has worked at UofL. Like Howe, she started working at the university in 1970.

Howe; Stevens; Jane Goldstein, assistant dean, College of Business; Jean McCabe, assistant dean for finance, College of Arts and Sciences; Lynne McKnight, administrative assistant, general surgery; and Andrew Williams, coordinator, Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Center, were honored for 40 years of distinguished service to UofL at the Oct. 8 staff recognition lunch. Rex Minks, electrician, Belknap Electrical Operations, was honored for 45 years of distinguished service.

Each year, administration recognizes staff members who have served at least 10 years with lunch at the Brown and Williamson Club. Staff are invited to attend starting in their 10th year and every five years after that. They receive a gift of their own choosing, a certificate noting the number of years they have served and the afternoon off following the luncheon.

This without question is one of my favorite events and one I don’t want to miss, said President James Ramsey.

Ramsey shakes everyone’s hand as vice presidents read the names of the people in their units who are being recognized.

It is important for me to say thank you to everyone for all they do for the University of Louisville, Ramsey said at the Oct. 8 event. We realize what you’re up against – wind storms, ice storms, floods, three years of not being able to compensate you in the way you deserve to be compensated.

Ramsey noted that without staff members, the university would not be able to fulfill its academic and research missions.

Besides those who have worked 40 or more years at UofL, this year 26 staff members commemorated 35 years, and 40 marked 30 years at the university. In all, 363 staff members were recognized for a combined 6,790 years of service.