Saying Thank You to Emorys Essential Staff

Events honor employees who worked on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic

Emory President Gregory L. Fenves poses with employees in an event tent on the Emory Quad
Employees holding Emory water bottles sit at an outdoor table near Emory's White Hall
Employees fill a large event tent on the Quad. Blue and gold balloons are decorations
Employees holding boxed lunches pose in the event tent
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Emory President Gregory L. Fenves poses with employees in an event tent on the Emory Quad
Employees holding Emory water bottles sit at an outdoor table near Emory's White Hall
Employees fill a large event tent on the Quad. Blue and gold balloons are decorations
Employees holding boxed lunches pose in the event tent

As Emory prepares for a full return to campus in the fall, the university hosted two events Monday, July 19, to thank essential staff for their commitment and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hundreds of staff members shared a meal and mingled with Emory President Gregory L. Fenves and other university leaders during the two celebrations — one at noon on the Emory Quad and the other at 10 p.m. in the Emory Student Center — scheduled to accommodate employees on different shifts.

“The fact that we can be here, right now, is a direct result of you,” Fenves told staff at both events. “You made this possible, and you did it by selflessly stepping up during a time of great uncertainty to do the work that you do so well — to keep our campus, the very heart of Emory, running every day under circumstances that were more challenging than ever before.”

The events honored employees across all functions and schools who were required to work onsite during the pandemic.

For information about the campus response to COVID-19, please visit Emory Forward.


Photos by Ted Pio Roda.

Employees wearing Facilities Management uniforms eat at a table in the Student Center
Employees wearing face masks hold up Emory water bottles with "Thank You" printed on them
Emory water bottles given to employees show the Emory shiled and the words "Thank you for your dedication and commitment"
Emory President Gregory L. Fenves poses with Emory Police Department officers in the outdoor event tent
Chris Augostini, Emory's executive vice president for business affairs, poses with employees at the Student Center event. All are wearing face coverings.
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Employees wearing Facilities Management uniforms eat at a table in the Student Center
Employees wearing face masks hold up Emory water bottles with "Thank You" printed on them
Emory water bottles given to employees show the Emory shiled and the words "Thank you for your dedication and commitment"
Emory President Gregory L. Fenves poses with Emory Police Department officers in the outdoor event tent
Chris Augostini, Emory's executive vice president for business affairs, poses with employees at the Student Center event. All are wearing face coverings.

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