Page 4 - CEMS Newsletter Fall 2023

DEPARTMENT NEWS
A letter of thanks from Julie Prince
Julie Prince retired from her position as graduate program coordinator after 39 years in the department and expresses her gratitude for a wonderful career.
“Can’t you stay until you hit 40 years?” This is what I have heard from many in CEMS, but my heart was telling me that it was time to step down and join my husband, Will, and many family and friends in retirement. In 1985, if you had asked the 27-year-old Julie where she saw herself 39 years from now, she would have probably said; traveling the world, sitting on a beach reading a good book while sipping a nice glass of wine or a margarita, and visiting with friends that I would make along the way. I’m not sure how much traveling or sipping I will initially do, as I adjust to retirement, but I am truly looking forward to the next chapter of my life and seeing where it takes me.
A Bit of History
I’ve been asked, ‘What do you remember from your earliest days in CEMS?’ My first Mac computer had the smallest of screens and learning how to type equations (oh my, was this from Dahler, Aris, Cussler?) was memorable, to say the least. My first emails, many from international students, arriving in my inbox day and night (due to the difference in time zones). Emails, like most electronic applications now, are something we just take for granted these days, but were amazing to me back then.
When I started working with the graduate program, around 1990, I would receive stacks and stacks of mail containing paper applications for admission to the program, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and piles of other supporting documents, from all over the world. My dad was an avid stamp collector and absolutely loved when I would bring him bags of international stamps; I even kept a few for myself. Almost all of this ‘snail mail’ was received the Monday after the four-day Thanksgiving holiday break. I would spend days opening, sorting, filing, putting together completed applications
for each individual, then work with the faculty admission teams to send offer letters, followed by constructing visit schedules and planning everything that went along with a prospective student visit. I was so happy when the applications submission process changed from paper to online.
A department reception was held to honor Julie Prince’s retirement. Opposite page: Former staff member Teresa Bredahl toasted Julie at a department Round Table on Julie’s final day of work in CEMS.
One of the best parts of my job has always been the interactions I’ve had with all the students, faculty and staff, especially during events like the Welcome Fest (a.k.a., Pig and Veggie Roast), Round Table, and who could forget the annual Wine & Cheese Party, mostly held at Betsy & Ed Cussler’s home, but also at many other faculty homes over the years; Ann and Jeff Derby having hosted the
last four years, up until 2020 (the pandemic). I can still envision the high pile of shoes at the front door entry and the fun and crazy socks some would wear. One student even came in a light blue suit with snowflakes and little did he know, it would match the pattern of the cups and plates we would use that night! I never did get the brand of that suit, if anyone knows, let me know! I hope these traditions will continue, and if the Wine & Cheese does return, Teresa Bredahl and I will be invited to attend and enjoy without us having to do much of the work (select and purchase the wine/beer/cheese/crackers/etc., set-up and clean-up at the end of the night). The AIChE Annual Alumni & Friends Reception has always been exciting to
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