More than 450 Ohio University faculty and staff gathered Tuesday in Baker University Center Ballroom for this year's holiday reception, hosted by President Roderick J. McDavis and First Lady Deborah McDavis.

President McDavis, who along with his wife greeted all attendees at the door, thanked university employees for all their work.

"Every good thing that has happened here is because of you, and every bad thing that has happened here is because of me," McDavis said with a laugh during his brief remarks. "In this room is Ohio University. You are the folks who make the university all it is and all it will become in the future. This is one small way of saying 'thank you.'"

Michelle Schall, an equipment inventory specialist in Plant Accounting and Equipment Inventory under Finance and Administration, said she appreciated the reception.

"It is a wonderful celebration," she said.

Dawn Walter-Gagliano, senior library assistant who works at the Library Annex, said the event was a nice way to acknowledge faculty and staff.

"This is very nice that he does this for people," she said.

The McDavises try to hold a faculty and staff appreciation twice a year. McDavis said he would like to hold the next gathering around Memorial Day.