In 1988, the first Secretaries Day Symposium and brown bag lunch was organized by ILR Professors Alice Cook and Jennie Farley. Farley had recently been elected to serve on the Cornell Board of Trustees. This year, nearly 500 administrative professionals from across campus attended the 21st Annual Jennie T. Farley Office Professionals Celebration April 22 in Bailey Hall. Members of Farley's family were present to commemorate her lifetime of work on behalf of women and administrative staff. Farley passed away in 2002 and Cook in 1998.

Vice President for Human Resources Mary Opperman and President David Skorton commended the participants for their hard work, flexibility and dedication.

"I'm constantly impressed by the dedication and skills of Cornell's office professionals," said Skorton. "You have a hand in Cornell's success."

Entertainment included performances by Bonzo and the Wedge, dancer Donia (Denise) Robinson and the a cappella campus group The Hangovers.

This year's program was organized by Paula Euvrard, Center for the Environment; Angela Hartman, Alumni Affairs and Development; Sandra Redfield, Budget Office; Sheila Robideau, Project Design and Construction; Amy Sindone, Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Traci Morse, ILR School; and Marilyn Willkens, Human Resources.