Dedicated Concordians honoured

For almost 50 years, Concordia has been paying tribute to employees who celebrate important service anniversaries and retirements. This year’s banquet event will fete 267 faculty and staff members who are celebrating between 20 and 50 years of service.

The event was created in 1963 to recognize Sir George Williams University faculty and staff who were celebrating 20 or more years of service, as a tribute to their loyalty and contributions. Thirty people were initially honoured and presented with scrolls documenting their tenure.

With the merger of Loyola College and Sir George Williams University in 1974, the long service event grew to include members of Loyola faculty and staff.

Celebrated in various venues, the event has always been elegant and understated, with a menu suitable for dignitaries. Formalities throughout the years included a “toast to the queen” which became a “toast to the university” in 1970 and will continue to be a time-honoured tradition.

Rewards for celebrants have included scrolls, certificates, corsages, boutonnieres and pens. Today’s celebrants are provided with a catalogue to select their gifts and receive a commemorative booklet highlighting the event, the menu and a list of all the honourees for the year.

With the exception of the omission of three ceremonies in 1969, 1971 and 1973, the long service event has been held annually for 47 years.

This year’s event will be held at the Nouvel Hotel in early December, and will feature an exquisite menu, entertaining guests and a celebration that will not soon be forgotten.

Related link:
•    "Decades of dedicated service" – NOW, December 5, 2011