On the first day of final exams in fall 2024, the smell of warm soup and chili filled the halls of Cornell’s Law School – not from a nearby café, but from the hands and hard work of the Law School’s building care team who took the time to serve up a comforting meal to help students fuel and recharge before exams.

This simple act reflects the broader, often overlooked contributions of staff across the university. In recognition of such efforts, Cornell is honoring nearly 200 employees this year as “Cornell Heroes” – a universitywide honor that celebrates the extraordinary dedication of staff whose work may go unseen but remains essential to upholding Cornell’s mission. The initiative encourages staff to celebrate one another and reflect on the behind-the-scenes impact of their work across the university.

Credit: Jason Koski/Cornell University

“Recognition doesn’t always need to be a large, formal gesture,” said Vail Eubanks, employee recognition program manager in the Division of Human Resources. “It can be a small thank you, a break in the day or a shared moment of truly seeing a team or individual and their contributions. It’s all about bringing the ‘thank you’ to their doorstep and meeting our staff where they are.”

Launched in 2022, the Cornell Heroes campaign is led by the Division of the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, in collaboration with human resources departments in colleges and units.

This year’s honorees include:

• Cornell Building and Grounds crew
• Cornell Colleague Network Groups (CNGs) leadership
• eCornell Human Resources team
• Facilities Contracts team in Facilities and Campus Services
• Interlibrary Services Department
• Law School Building Care team
• Office of Sponsored Programs in Research and Innovation
• Office of University Treasurer and Bursar

Among them, the Office of Sponsored Programs in Research and Innovation stands out for their work supporting every stage of the research process, from identifying funding opportunities to guiding projects through completion, said Gary Koretzky, interim vice provost for research.

“This year has brought unprecedented challenges to researchers at universities across the nation, and Cornell’s Office of Sponsored Programs has demonstrated exemplary dedication to helping our researchers respond to sudden and unexpected grant terminations and stop-work orders,” Koretzky said. “They have worked tirelessly, case by case, to provide guidance for researchers as they navigate these challenges. I cannot thank them enough for their contributions.”

Through August, departments and units across campus will host events to honor their Cornell Heroes. Each honoree will receive a Cornell Hero T-shirt and a personalized thank-you card from Christine Lovely, vice president and chief human resources officer, who plans to attend several celebrations to personally express her appreciation.

“It means a lot to see our colleagues recognized because their work truly changes lives – not always in loud or obvious ways, but in quiet, powerful moments,” said Toral Patel, senior consultant in the Department of Inclusion and Belonging, who nominated the leaders of Cornell’s six CNGs for their dedication to providing spaces for employees with shared interests, identities and life experiences to connect and build relationships.

“These are the kind of people who never ask for thanks; they do the work because they care deeply about others and this community,” Patel said. “Whether it’s helping someone feel less alone, giving a colleague the tools to grow in their career or simply reminding someone that they belong, the ripple effect is real.

“Celebrating them reminds us that this kind of care, leadership and community-building really does matter.”

Grace DePaull is communications assistant in the Department of Inclusion and Belonging in the Division of Human Resources.