On Friday, NYU Shanghai honored colleagues who reached service milestones by the end of 2025, recognizing their long-standing dedication and contributions to the university community. A total of 36 colleagues marked their 10-year anniversaries, while 50 colleagues celebrated five years of service.
The annual Service Award Ceremony brings together full-time faculty and staff to celebrate years of commitment and collaboration, and to express appreciation for those who have helped shape NYU Shanghai’s development over the years.
Chancellor Tong Shijun, who himself was marking his fifth year at NYU Shanghai, reflected on the meaning of a good life and a good job. “For adults, having a good job is important for having a good life. But ‘good job’ doesn’t only mean working well, but also means a good working environment. The NYU Shanghai community works together to take care of both sides.”
Vice Chancellor Jeff Lehman highlighted the role long-serving colleagues play in sustaining the university’s mission and values. He expressed profound gratitude to all who have contributed to making NYU Shanghai a supportive workplace: “These special individuals have sustained our resilience when we have faced some challenges and they have fueled our ingenuity when we have been given special opportunities.”
Provost Bei Wu noted that the sheer number of employees who have worked for five and 10 years at NYU Shanghai, a young school of only 14 years old, already testifies to its sense of community: “It’s important we not only recruit the best faculty and staff, but it’s equally important to retain the best faculty and staff. When we talk about the unique place of NYU Shanghai in the world, we are also talking about the people who make the university a great place to work in.”
Representing the faculty awardees, Area Head and Professor of Interactive Media and Business Alex Ruthmann described NYU Shanghai not only as a workplace, but also as a “long term academic home.” “For me, the greatest thrill of being a faculty member is planting seeds together, and helping create conditions for growth that we may not personally get to witness.”
Speaking on behalf of the staff awardees, Assistant Director of Office of Research Wang Xi looked back on her time at NYU Shanghai as a “journey worthwhile.” “I'm very grateful for that environment because it allows me to grow professionally while the university itself continues to grow.”
Following the recognition of the 5-year and 10-year service awardees, University leadership also acknowledged faculty and staff members who volunteered their time and talents to support a wide range of university events and activities over the past year. Angela Wang, Senior Manager of Digital Learning at NYU Shanghai Library, was invited to share her experience and reflections. She said she cherished the experience as an opportunity to connect with more colleagues university-wide. “Volunteering is a passport to the rest of the university. I’ve made friends with people that I never would have met, and I have learned so much from colleagues from vastly different backgrounds,” she said. “These experiences transformed this university from a single workplace into a true community that we all truly love.”
Executive Director of Human Resources Guo Wei expressed gratitude to the honored staff and faculty. “We sincerely thank all of you for your dedication and the many contributions you have made to our community,” she said. “We look forward to your continued journey and achievements with NYU Shanghai.”