University Celebrates Distinguished Service Milestones

11/08/2017

More than 350 SLU employees who reached milestones of 10, 15, and 20 years of service were honored at a recognition breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the annual Distinguished Service Awards Breakfast. This year's group of recipients represents 4,850 years of combined service.

The Distinguished Service Award is given each year to employees celebrating the three service year milestone anniversaries. Honorees also receive a recognition package during the month of their anniversary.

Three honorees also spoke, reflecting on their careers with the University. Martha Allen, professor, research librarian, and chair of Research and instruction, Toby Benis, Ph.D., chair of the Department of English, and Matthew Krob, director of design services with University Marketing and Communications, were this year’s speakers. Allen and Benis have been at SLU for 20 years and Krob has 15 years of service.

The three shared reflections about their time at SLU, recalling the role of colleagues in supporting them through the years.

“The individuals I work with here at SLU truly feel like a family to me,” Allen said. “The friendships I have made have positively impacted my life in many ways.”

Benis noted during her speech that the collaboration she enjoyed as a faculty member was one of SLU’s greatest attributes.

“What I value most about my role as a faculty member here is the collaborative nature of learning,” Benis said. “At SLU, I have been allowed to branch out in what I teach, and how I teach it, which has sent my research in exciting and unexpected directions.”

Krob, the third speaker, shared stories about one of his favorite SLU projects and told those gathered about his passion for his work for the University, and its magazine, Universitas.

“You just can’t help but get sucked into some of the stories about all of the transformational work that this university and its alumni produce,” Krob explained. “It is a constant reminder of what a grand place this is to work.”

Mickey Luna, vice president for human resources, congratulated the honorees and Christopher Collins, S.J., delivered the event's invocation.

This year’s award recipients include: