In a week characterized by Commencement preparations, 33 Cornell staff graduates were recognized at the 15th annual staff graduate reception at Friends Hall, May 24, held to celebrate the completion of their degrees through the Cornell Employee Degree Program or the Tuition Aid Program. Joining the staff graduates were their family members and friends, President David Skorton, Vice President for Human Resources and Safety Services Mary Opperman, Employee Assembly Chair Tanya Grove and employee-elected trustee Beth McKinney. Pianist Jeff Cox '13 opened the program.

Thirteen of the graduates received Cornell degrees (one bachelor's, 10 master's and two Ph.D.s) from the ILR School, Johnson School and the Colleges of Engineering; Agriculture and Life Sciences; and Architecture, Art and Planning. Others had pursued studies in such areas as business, management, economics, information technologies, liberal arts, military history, finance and human resources to earn degrees at Cayuga Community College, Corning Community College, Elmira College, Norwich University, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Empire State College and Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Opperman noted that the staff graduate reception is an opportunity to honor the significant achievement of staff who have persevered and completed degrees while also fulfilling work responsibilities that have become even more substantial in the last few years. "To have the foresight and courage and strength and stamina to do this on top of work is amazing," she said.

Skorton asked the new graduates to think about doing two things: to share whatever knowledge they gain that may be of use with their coworkers, with him and with anyone else they have a chance to share it, and by their example, to encourage other staff members to take advantage of these programs.

"Nothing would make Mary and me happier than if we had this event in an even bigger room next time," he said.

Following remarks from the president and vice president, McKinney called each graduate to the podium to receive congratulations from Skorton and Opperman, as well as a small gift presented by Grove on behalf of the university.