On the surface, the number 762 doesn’t mean a whole lot to most people.
It could be the number of home runs Barry Bonds finishes his career with; it could be the Cardinals’ winning percentage in the postseason; it could even be the number of construction projects going on around campus at any given time.
But one thing we know for sure is that 762 is the combined years of service the University’s most recent retirees accumulated.
Thirty-five retirees, many of whom were in attendance, were recognized for their tenures at a luncheon hosted by Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton Sept. 14 at Whittemore House.
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University retirees Retirees and their years of service are: Dianne Aleto (20), Richard Anderson (35), Alice Becker (29), Shaaron Benjamin (25), Charlotte Castillo (23), Margaret Daues (13), Yvonne Davis (20), Jacquelyn Farrell (42), Beverly Fogelman (31), Margaretta Fontaine (15). Wilbert Fritz (26), Elizabeth Fyfe (22), Mary Gilley (10), Edna Harden (16), Wanda Harry (15), Melvin Ingram (21), Stanley Isadore (23), Robert Keeney (20), James King (28), Bettie Martin (15), Truong Nguyen (10), James Payne (29), Mary Poe-Smith (11), Patrick Reed (16), Barbara Reichert (13), Virginia Roberts (18), Henry Robinson Jr. (28), Thomas Rucinsky (28), Sammy Ruwitch (12), Benjamin Sandler (38), Robert Schaefer (14). A. Catherine Schmitt (30), Mary Tueth (37), Judith Wicklund (13), Geraldine Wynne (16). All retirees were given walnut plaques, presented by Wrighton; Larry J. Shapiro, M.D., executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine; Barbara A. Feiner, vice chancellor for finance; Bill Smith, associate vice chancellor for computing and information systems; and Edward S. Macias, Ph.D., executive vice chancellor, dean of Arts & Sciences and the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences. |
Although not in attendance, leading the way with most years served was Jacquelyn Farrell, who put in 42 years at the School of Medicine, first starting in 1962.
“Dr. Lee Robbins was the person who hired me,” Farrell said. “I promised her I would stay for only one year because I wanted to return to college. However, the promised one year became a total of 42 years and eight months, in 2005.
“Annually we have had a laugh about adding yet another year to the promised one.”
Farrell served the entire time in the Department of Psychiatry, working in most of its areas for many faculty members.
“I really enjoyed my job,” Farrell said. “Over the years I worked with many outstanding individuals, faculty and staff, in a research-oriented department known throughout the world.
“For me, as a secretary, journal manuscripts were exciting to type, and the typing and proofreading of book manuscripts, grant applications and forensic reports brought additional excitement and responsibility to the job. Every day was a new challenge.
“Perhaps the many requested trips to the library define my thoughts regarding the years at Washington University being portrayed not only in published results, but the thrill, and yet seriousness, of being privileged to witness diligent work and to handle ongoing research material containing the knowledge of so many professionals.
“In retrospect, I consider myself fortunate to have been challenged daily as an employee of Washington University.”
Traditionally, special recognition is afforded to those retirees in attendance at the luncheon who have the greatest number of years of service with the University. This year, Benjamin Sandler (38 years), Beverly Fogelman (31) and Alice Becker (29) were given baskets of flowers.
“Washington University can boast about more than 150 years of success because of the wonderful people who came here to work with our students and help run the infrastructure of the University,” Wrighton said. “These recent retirees have my and everyone’s gratitude for the important work they have done here and for the success they have helped bring to the University.
“I am, as always, grateful to those who have dedicated their careers to advancing Washington University.”