A celebration today in honor of Nellie Ayala-Reyes, retiring after - what? - 39 years as the Office Manager for English. It's impossible to imagine the department without her ... the tributes were heartfelt and moving, and spoke volumes about her friendships and help that extended way beyond the standard path of duty. The huge departmental turnout spoke for itself, too - as did the presence of administrative staff elsewhere on campus. She and her husband have bought a camping van, and off she'll head on her travels ... Happy Trails, Nellie, indeed! (the University Club outdid itself on the cake).
And (in addition to a check), there were written tributes gathered together and placed in a mock tenure file (she's had plenty of skilled practice in assembling these), and a huge card signed by us all. Special thanks to Tania Modleski, Aimee Bender, David St John and indeed everyone involved in pulling this all together.
I do have an uncomfortable feel that some of these images approach academic satire - but hey, yes, this is our department at play ...
No comments:
Post a Comment