What better way to celebrate 25 or more years of service to Cornell than to listen to opera, watch a clogger, rock to rock and clap to the sounds of the past 40 years?

Such was the entertainment at this year's Service Recognition Dinner, April 1, in Newman Arena, Bartels Hall. It featured food by Cornell Catering and remarks by President David Skorton, Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy and Vice President for Human Resources Mary Opperman. The event, which hosted nearly 450 people, honored 267 long-serving staff: 109 celebrating 25 years at Cornell, 103 celebrating 30 years; 42 celebrating 35 years; and 16 celebrating 40 years.

Joseph Buttino, Alumni Affairs and Development, was recognized as having the most years of service with his 56 years working at the university; Virginia Freeman, ILR School, and Ann VanDeMark, Department of Asian Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, also attended and were recognized, each with 46 years of service.

"All of you contribute your skills, knowledge and commitment to a complex network whose overarching functions -- education, research and public service -- simply can't happen without you," said Skorton in his after-dinner remarks.

As the Back Talk Band played songs from yesteryears, Murphy recalled events in each of the years that awardees first came to Cornell. The evening program also highlighted performances by the three winners of this year's employee talent show, Cornell's Got Talent, held in January: Mark Fallon and Jeff Corbin (Office of Sponsored Programs), Nicole Belcher (College of Veterinary Medicine), and Mark Lawrence (Cornell Center for a Sustainable Future) and Bill Cowdery (Department of Music).

The evening was not entirely a look to the past, however, as both Opperman and Skorton noted that some of the awardees will be retiring.

"To you I wish the brightest of futures as you embark on this next stage of your lives," said Opperman. Skorton closed his remarks in looking to the future as well: "For those who are continuing at Cornell, I look forward to working with you to make this university not just the best educational institution in the world but also the most rewarding and satisfying workplace for its employees."

For a listing of all those who have reached a five or multiple of five anniversary, visit the Service Recognition Web site, at http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/serviceRecognition.