Georgia Tech Celebrates Long-Serving Employees with Inaugural Dinner Event
Atlanta’s Biltmore Ballrooms were abuzz with fellowship and the toasting of champagne as more than 200 faculty, staff, and researchers recently celebrated their decades of dedication to Georgia Tech at the inaugural Long Service Dinner.
The first annual Long Service Dinner is part of Georgia Tech’s refresh to the Service Milestones program, announced in October. The night of celebration included a musical performance by the Georgia Tech Glee Club, cocktails and conversation, photo opportunities, and recognitions of attendees who’d reached their respective milestones.
President Ángel Cabrera joined Institute executives and Georgia Tech Human Resources leaders in congratulating this year’s milestone earners, each of whom have worked at Tech for at least two decades, and one who had for 60 years.
“This group has seen Georgia Tech through an entire generation, and some of you have witnessed more than one generation go by,” Cabrera told the crowd. “Thank you for your longstanding commitment to our Institute and our motto of Progress and Service.”
Skye Duckett, vice president and chief human resources officer at Georgia Tech, echoed Cabrera’s sentiments, and thanked the employees for their longevity and commitment to the Institute community.
“That’s the reason we are able to strive toward our mission of developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition,” Duckett said. “We are very appreciative of the service you have given the Institute, particularly in the last few years.”
In her closing remarks, Duckett quoted 20-year honoree Iesha Jones, who shared a message for the crowd. Jones said that, among her fondest memories of working at Tech, is having watched the lives and families of those she’s worked with grow and evolve.
“It’s in those moments that the passage of time really hits me, and I realize how deeply rooted I’ve become here. Being in one place for so long has meant more than just building a career — it’s meant building a community,” Jones wrote. “Over the years, colleagues have become like family, and the connections we’ve shared through milestones, challenges, and celebrations have made my time at Tech truly special.”
Georgia Tech Recognition will host a 10- and 15-year reception, also a new event from the refreshed Service Milestones program, on April 29. The new milestones program recognizes all full-time, benefits-eligible employees at their 1-year and 5-year anniversaries, as well as at every 5-year increment of continuous service going forward.
For more information on the Service Milestones program, click here.