Human resources honors longest-serving employees

The Office of Human Resources welcomed employees with 25-plus years of state service to a breakfast Oct. 9 to thank them for their commitment to Carolina. The 324 honorees — celebrating a combined 7,190 years of service — included some who began work the same year Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have this opportunity to thank you in this small way and delighted to celebrate and thank you for the dedication and service you provide to the University,” said Becci Menghini, vice chancellor of human resources and equal opportunity and compliance. “You are Carolina, and we are better because of you.”

Chancellor Lee H. Roberts welcomed and recognized employees with 25-plus years of service to a breakfast hosted by the Office of Human Resources. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Chancellor Lee H. Roberts reflected on employees’ impact across the University and beyond.

“Early on when I started, somebody who had been here a long time said to me, ‘Carolina runs on love.’ A lot of people here say that and believe it, and we believe it because it’s true. It’s true because of long-term, committed employees who have dedicated their careers to this institution, and by extension, the state of North Carolina,” Roberts said. “Thank you for your commitment to Carolina, to our students and for your dedication to higher education overall.”

The Well asked four honorees with 50 or more years of service to the state the same question: What have you loved most about your Carolina journey?

Gail Moriarty, business services coordinator, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy (55 years)

My entire Carolina career has been spent at the School of Pharmacy in various administrative support positions, and I love interacting with the faculty, students and fellow employees. Feeling like I am contributing, even in a small way, to the future successful endeavors of the people with whom I work has kept me here.

Charlie Carter, professor, biochemistry and biophysics department, UNC School of Medicine (50 years)

I’ve thought a lot about why I’ve remained at UNC for 50 years, and I can explain it via this metaphor: Bacteria exhibit a behavior known as chemotaxis — they sense the directions in which the concentration of nutrients is increasing. After I came to UNC in 1974, I began to recognize that the scientific environment here was steadily improving, and when I had the chance to compete for another job, I found the possibilities elsewhere didn’t measure up to what I had here in Chapel Hill. Thus, like a bacterium, I sensed the steeply improving gradient and decided to remain here.

Ron Strauss, Adams Distinguished Professor, UNC Adams School of Dentistry (50 years)

With doctorates in dentistry and sociology, I enjoy faculty roles in pediatric dentistry and dental public health (Adams School of Dentistry), social medicine (School of Medicine) and epidemiology (Gillings School of Global Public Health). After 14 years as the executive vice provost and a decade as UNC’s chief global officer, I am convinced that few U.S. universities promote interdisciplinary work better than Carolina. Now as a full-time faculty member again, I serve on the UNC Craniofacial Center’s interdisciplinary craniofacial team taking care of families and their children with facial differences. I have loved the opportunity to take on an array of roles at Carolina and to meet wonderful students, colleagues and community members through my work. I stay at Carolina because I admire its interdisciplinary and global mission and enjoy the people.

Ray White, Dalton L. McMichael Distinguished Professor, UNC Adams School of Dentistry (50 years)

I came to UNC in 1974 as dentistry dean, and I’ve been fortunate to have multiple academic roles and experiences at UNC, which is usually not possible without changing location. I love teaching dental students and oral and maxillofacial surgery residents, and working with the best remains a pleasant challenge.

Ethan Quinn contributed to this story.