Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The annual reception recognized faculty and staff who have dedicated 20 or more years of service, as well as those who celebrated milestone years ending in “5” or “0” years.
by Meaghan Haugh
The end of each academic year marks a time of achievement and celebration for Rider University students, who are recognized during awards banquets, baccalaureate honors presentations, induction ceremonies and Commencement. It’s also a time when a select group of faculty and staff, who have contributed to Rider’s reputation for excellence and success, are also commended for their service to the University.
On May 4, the annual Longtimers Reception, hosted by President Mordechai Rozanski, recognized Rider and Westminster Choir College community members who have dedicated 20 or more years of service, as well as those celebrating milestone years ending in “5” or “0” years.
“This year we have a record-setting 62 honorees who have compiled an amazing 1,695 years of service to the University. That’s an average of 27 years of wonderful service to our University,” Rozanski said. “Their life at Rider began as early as 1966 and as late as 1991.”
Rozanski also gave special recognition to Kathy Burd, administrative specialist in the Office of University Communications, for her 45 years of service to Rider. Upon receiving her associate degree in Secretarial Science from Rider in 1966, Burd began working in a dentist office in Princeton, but soon returned to her alma mater — on October 17, 1966, to be exact — to take a full-time administrative position in the Office of Public Information and Sports Information, the forerunner to today’s University Communications.
“Here I am, 45 years later, working for the University,” said Burd with a smile. “I have been fortunate to have an immediate family and a Rider University family. It just amazes me how the two blended. Friendships developed over the years and they became part of my extended family.”
Burd recalled how her father’s birthday once fell on a Rider home basketball game, so he wanted to celebrate his big day at the game. During halftime, 30 members of Burd’s immediate and Rider family sang Happy Birthday with a cake in the boiler room of Alumni Gym.
Not only did her family expand, but Burd found that Rider gave her the opportunity to explore her interests in the arts and gardening, and increase her knowledge in various areas. For example, she has gained artistic insight from Harry I. Naar, professor of Fine Arts, and photography tips from Peter Borg, University photographer.
“Rider gave me a chance to learn from others,” Burd said. “Sit back and see all that Rider has to offer. Take a long hard look and if it works for you, take advantage of it.”
The 2011 Longtimers honorees included:
45 Years
Kathy Burd — University Communications
40 Years
Barry Ashmen — Marketing, Advertising and Legal Studies
Thomas Callahan — History
Russell Fager — Athletics
Joseph Gowaskie — History
Robert Winter — Foreign Languages and Literatures
35 Years
Ava Baron — Sociology
Richard Butsch — Sociology
James Dailey — Information Systems/Supply Chain Management
Kenneth Fields — Mathematics
Marvin Keenze — Westminster Choir College Piano and Voice
Fred Lasser — English
Ilhan Meric — Finance and Economics
Alan Wiman — Marketing, Advertising and Legal Studies
30 Years
Karen Crowell — College of Continuing Studies
Anthony “Bud” Focht — Athletics
Ralph Gallay — Marketing, Advertising and Legal Studies
Susie Geraci — Registrar’s Office
Myra Gutin — Communication/Journalism
Joe Kim — Marketing, Advertising and Legal Studies
Marianne Kollar — Admission Office
Roderick McDonald — History
Thomas Ruble — Management
Barry Truchil — Sociology
Deborah Venello — Educational Opportunity Program
Phillip Voorhees — Facilities
Cheryl Walter — Student Success Center
25 Years
Mary Ann Azzaro — University Communications
Coleen Carr — Moore Library
Anne Carroll — College of Business Administration Dean’s Office
Radharao Chaganti — Management
Mary Ann Conboy — Mail Services
Ilene Goldberg — Marketing, Advertising and Legal Studies
Ann Keith — Aramark
Steven Klein — Information Systems/Supply Chain Management
Anne Osborne — History
Carl Rizzo — Moore Library
Anne Sears — Westminster College of the Arts External Affairs
Susan Skwara — Registrar’s Office
Leonore Taga — Finance and Economics
Lawrence Toth — Facilities
Vickie Weaver — Public Safety
Lydia Woods — Aramark
20 Years
Peter Borg — University Communications
Feng Chen — Chemistry/Biochemistry and Physics
Claire Cocuzza — Athletics
Michael Curran — Teacher Education
Christine De Frehn — College of Continuing Studies
Ann Hickey — Moore Library
James Jordan — Westminster Choir College Conducting/Organ/Sacred Music
Judy Kirschenbaum — Westminster College of the Arts Dean’s Office
Charmen Loh — Finance and Economics
E. Graham McKinley — Communication/Journalism
Dorothy McMullen — Accounting
Jonathan Millen — College of Liberal Arts, Education, and Sciences Dean’s Office
Alison Neely — Westminster Choir College Conservatory
Doris O'Donovan — Moore Library
Obeua Persons — Accounting
Mary Poteau-Tralie — Foreign Languages and Literatures
James Riggs — Biology
Ronald Walker — Institutional Analysis
Minmin Wang — Communication/Journalism