Employee Recognition Event

Russell Sage College values its faculty and employees, and the contributions they make to the college community through their dedicated hard work and sharing of ideas. Each May, Sage hosts the Employee Recognition Event, which is an opportunity to honor the year’s retirees, celebrate those who have made special contributions to the institution, and recognize the members of the college community reaching milestone years of service.

The event happens during the work day, and includes a presentation and then a reception immediately following. The event is free of charge for faculty and employees.

Sage celebrates the retirees for that particular year. Retirees may be bring a guest, including family members, if they choose. Retirees receive a certificate as well as a complimentary Sage chair, which the retiree can choose the style of chair.

The President’s Community Award is awarded to an employee in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Russell Sage College community. The recipient of this award displays extraordinary generosity, gives his or her time and abilities beyond general job requirements, and makes a difference in the workplace. Nomination forms are available in March.

The recipients of the Distinguished Service Awards are chosen by a committee of peers, made up of past years’ award winners (generally four people). Considerations for these awards include performance excellence, contribution to the overall quality of life for the Russell Sage College community, and commitment or initiative. There are two awards for each category (Faculty, Administrators, Staff): one for Consistent Outstanding Service, and one for Exemplary Service Over the Past Year. The names of the chosen winners are kept secret and not announced until the Employee Recognition Event. Nomination forms are available in late-March.

Faculty and employees who reach milestone years of service (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 years) are given gifts that have the Russell Sage College seal. The specific gift is based on the number of years of service. For example, those who have reached five years of service by the start of the academic year receive a key chain; those with 10 years will be given a paper weight, and so on.

A reception immediately follows the program, with opportunities to relax, enjoy some food, have photos taken, congratulate award winners and retirees, and mingle with coworkers.

During the reception, the HR staff arranges a raffle table, which includes items such as campus parking passes, dining services meal money, select items from the Athletics department, tickets to a Theatre Institute at Sage performance, office plants, gifts from the campus bookstores, and wellness baskets.