LInday France/University Photography

Carleton Potter '40, possibly the oldest volunteer for Employee Celebration, servers dinners to participants.

Lindsay France/University Photography

Crossroad Clown autographs Ricky Bixby's arm.

Lindsay France/University Photography

Mary Opperman, Gloria Busse and Tom Primerano serve up dinner at Employee Celebration.

About 2,400 faculty, staff, retirees and their families took advantage of a brief break in recent cold weather to cheer on Cornell athletes and attend the winter Employee Celebration dinner in the Ramin Room at Bartels Hall, Jan. 25.

In his mid-90s and possibly the oldest volunteer in the event’s history, Carleton Potter ’40 joined senior administrators, students and staff members in serving chicken parmesan and pasta dinners to participants.

McGruff the Crime Dog, canine patrol Chase and handler patrol officer Justin Haines, and Crossroad Clown provided entertainment, while displays and giveaways by such groups as the United Way of Tompkins County, the Cornell University Police and Master Composters of Tompkins County were an additional draw.

The Cornell wrestling team beat Rutgers 29-9 while raising funds for Hospicare of Ithaca; Columbia won over Cornell in men’s basketball, 74-58; and Cornell women’s basketball dominated Columbia, 76-51.

“We have a great team of volunteers,” said Cheryl McGraw, human resources and safety services event manager. “Students from Cornell Traditions and the Women’s Lacrosse Team provided much needed support, and I want to give special thanks to Nancy Pagliaro, May Lovelace and Kelly Chan, who helped coordinate the day.”

The Employee Celebration event is sponsored by the Division of Human Resources and Safety Services, Cornell Catering, the Department of Athletics and Physical Education, and Facilities Management.