Each February, Baylor continues its tradition of honoring the service of faculty and staff with the annual service awards ceremony.
The awards represent the recipient's years of loyal service and contributions to the life of the University. Pins are presented in 5-year increments, beginning with year 5. (The awards are for service through the preceding year.)
In February 2013, five people received 45-year recognition: Robert Baird, Darlene Kyser, Janya Martin, David Pennington, and Robert Ray. One person received 55-year recognition: Rufus Spain.
Baylor University President Ken Starr, with assistance from Associate Vice President for Human Resources John Whelan, recognized recipients during the ceremony.
The annual ceremony was established in April 1972. Prior to that time, the University had held service awards ceremonies on an irregular basis. A 1957 program was the first to honor a 50-year-pin recipient, Mrs. Lily M. Russell. Since then, Baylor has recognized three other 50-year-pin recipients: Dr. Rufus Spain, Dr. Roger Kirk, and Dr. Bob Patterson.
