Twenty years ago, the late Jennie T. Farley '54, M.S.'69, Ph.D.'70, a determined champion of women's rights, co-founder of Cornell's Women's Studies Program and professor of industrial and labor relations, founded Cornell's Office Professionals Symposium to recognize National Secretaries Day. A brown-bag lunch, the symposium drew about 50 people.

This year, the annual event, which in 2003 was renamed the Jennie T. Farley Office Professionals Day, drew more than 1,000 people to a complimentary luncheon in Barton Hall, April 23.

Speaking before the crowd, Jennifer Tiffany Wright, Farley's granddaughter and a high school freshman in Phoenix, shared her memories of her grandmother, who encouraged young people to reach for their potential; she also recognized the work of the university's office professionals.

Other members of Farley's family also attended, and President David Skorton thanked Cornell's office professionals for being the "front lines" that make Cornell's working environment as optimal as possible. He noted that the office professionals are "the reason that our atmosphere is so good. ... you have a never-ending hunger and thirst to do better ... with professional excellence and caring for each other." He cited some of Cornell's recent workplace awards and achievements as indicators that "we are on the right track, not that the journey is over."

Skorton also recognized several staff members -- Craig Beaver, Ray Dalton and Terri Whitaker (who had saved a student's life this past January using CPR and a defibrillator) -- who had come to his attention this past year. They exemplify, he said, the caring that office professionals and other staff members bring to their jobs every day.

Attendees were entertained by the a cappella groups After Eight and the Class Notes, and by Cornell's only student juggling group, the Jugglenauts. More than 85 prizes and 18 grand prizes were awarded by random drawing.

The annual celebration to recognize office professionals is organized by a planning committee, co-chaired this year by Traci Morse, Kathleen Snyder and Marilyn Willkens with members Paula Euvrard, Angela Hartman, Kenna Morehouse, Sandra Redfield, Sheila Robideau and Amy Sindone.

Farley -- a former member of Cornell's Board of Trustees and widely known for her work advancing the status of women managers, academics and clerical staff -- would have been proud.