Sept. 21 , 2004 issue

I have been at Eastern Michigan University for five years and always recommend it to my friends. I came to campus as a temp and was hired as a secretary in the department of health, physical education, recreation and dance. Two years later, I was hired in the department of geography and geology.

Initially, I was nervous and unfamiliar with the department and the different personalities of the staff and faculty. I soon discovered the department's family atmosphere and felt right at home.

I assist the faculty with various projects and help students when I can with registration, class schedules or classes themselves.

At times, students can get very upset, so I try to calm them down before looking into their situation. They may have problems with a certain class and want to drop it, or they discover they are short requirements for graduation. I try to make suggestions or steer them in the right direction for help. They like my suggestions and sometimes go out of their way to bring me small thank-you gifts such as cookies.

I'm also a student working on my bachelor's degree, so EMU is definitely the best place to be. I have the opportunity to attend class with tuition reimbursement while working in this professional environment. That is a real motivation to graduate.

My son, Dennis, is only 12 years old and I would like to graduate before he starts college in five years. That's my goal.

 

---