Glendale Community College hosted its annual Retiree/Recognition Luncheon Thursday sponsored by the Foundation at the student center to honor both retiring and continuing employees of the college for their years of excellent work.

The members are honored every spring at the end of the semester. This year there were eight retiring members and more than 50 members being honored for 15 or more years of service at the college.
“Every year we come together to celebrate employees retiring from school and also to honor continuing employees for years of service,” said Robert Holmes, Board of Trustee member. “It’s nice to honor longtime and valued employees.”

Among notable retirees was Judy Gorham, ASGCC business Office/Bookstore employee. Gorham has been an employee at GCC for 40 years.
“It’s been fun, but I’m getting old,” said Gorham.

Also retiring with Gorham was Frances Shaw, director and professor of fashion design, merchandising and cosmetology, who also has been at GCC for 40 years.

The luncheon also honored employees for their continuing service at GCC. The employees were honored in five-year increments starting at 15 years of service all the way to 40 years of service.
The numbers slowly began to decrease as the years added; however, there were a few employees in the high numbers. Among the notable was John Craven of the Language Arts Division. Craven has been a GCC employee 40 years now and is continuing his work here.

For the first time ever, this year the faculty and staff members were presented with the John Davitt Award for classified service. This award honored anyone who doesn’t teach or counsel students. This would include a secretary’s lab technician, facility workers and many others.

There were many people nominated for the award. However, the award went to Karen Warten. Six different people had nominated Warten. In addition to the award, Warten received a check for $250.
“It’s a way of thanking all the employees and rewarding those who stay with us at the college,” said Davitt.
All in all, the retired members of GCC represent more than 175 years of service at the college. The honorees for their continued service represent more than 805 years of work devoted to the college.