THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1999

Workers honored

By Troy Fresch

On-Line Forty-Niner

In 1964, Lyndon Johnson was president and Peggy Douglas started a new job Cal State Long Beach.

Thirty-five years later, President Robert Maxson honored Douglas and other long-term employees Tuesday afternoon at the 1999 Service Awards, held at The Pointe banquet facilities in The Pyramid.

Douglas began her career as a keypunch operator in the administrative annex on Seventh Street. She has since made her way to Information Technology Services in Brotman Hall, where she is responsible for all administrative information resources.

"We only honor 35-year employees once in a while," said Vicki Hamilton of staff personnel. "We are proud to recognize Peggy."

"The event takes about five to six months to plan," Hamilton said. "We recognize those employees who have worked here for at least ten years and then every five years after."

Certificates were awarded to each employee, along with watches, pens, clocks, and flowers. Honorees enjoyed refreshments and time to socialize in the lobby of The Pointe before the ceremony began.

Once inside, the honorees filled every seat and lined the back wall of the banquet room. This year's ceremony honored about 250 employees with a combined total of 2,400 years of service to CSULB, said Robyn Rae Mack, budget and human resources management director.

The event resembled a graduation ceremony in that the employees were met with applause and a handshake from the president as they received their award. The recipients were grouped by service time, with Douglas as the last person announced. She received a standing ovation.

"I have enjoyed watching the campus grow for the benefit of the students," Douglas said.

"It's wonderful to be recognized," said Marilee Samuelson, Academic Advising Center director.

Samuelson and colleague Suzanne Wurzer, each recognized for 15 years of service, said they have watched five different general education patterns come and go and plan on seeing a few more in the future.

After the ceremony, the recipients were grouped and photographed according to years of service. Robert Huizar, a ten-year recipient from University Extension Services, said he looks forward to being honored for 15 and 20 years.

Said Maxson: "I have such great admiration for the men and women who have been here all of these years and who have been responsible for building this great university."