When Dana Roth took a summer job in 1952, bagging corn tassels for Ernest G. Anderson—a professor of genetics at Caltech who studied cytogenetics in corn—he never imagined that Caltech would be the place where he would build his career. But thirteen years and three degrees later, including a master's in chemistry from Caltech, he was hired as a chemistry librarian at the institute. That was in 1965. 

For Bill Lease, stockroom supervisor in the Division of Biology, the road to Caltech was a long one. Born in Indonesia, he came to the United States at the age of 20. With $350 in his pocket, Lease traveled from New York to California, seeking out the palm trees of his youth. Five years after setting up a new life in Pasadena, he began working here. In June, Lease—along with three other members of the Caltech community—will be honored for 45 years of service at the Staff Service Awards.

Caltech's commuter- and environmentally friendly programs haven't gone without notice. Indeed, the university recently was singled out for a corporate Blue Diamond Award by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

At this year's Staff Service Award Ceremony, Caltech honored over 200 staff members with service ranging from 10 to 40 years. The Thomas W. Schmitt Annual Staff Prize was awarded to three staff members this year—Nils Asplund , Dlorah Gonzales, and Mike Walsh. The award recognizes staff members "whose contributions embody the values and spirit that enable the Institute to achieve excellence in research and education."