Longtime Administrative Assistant bids English Department adieu
By Allison Stevens
Jackie Kearns has spent 33 years welcoming new faculty, students and staff to Miami University. But now it’s time to say goodbye.
After 24 of those years as administrative assistant in the English Department, Jackie has more than paid her dues. She’s decided it’s time to retire, but not for lack of enjoyment in her position.
“The university has always been wonderful to me, I’ve never had a bad moment,” she says. “The English Department especially is the best place to work on the whole campus…we have a wonderful, wonderful faculty and I can’t emphasize that enough. They make the staff— not just me—feel so appreciated.”
And appreciated she should be. Her job was two-in-one: it combined the responsibilities of an office manager, ensuring smooth day-to-day workings of the department, with those of secretary to the English Department chair. The first chair she worked with, Barry Chabot, held the position for 13 years; three others have filled that role since.
“Jackie has been a welcoming and friendly presence in the front office all this time, the face of the English Department and a wonderful resource and friend to all of us,” says the current chair, Kerry Powell. “It is hard to imagine the English Department without her, and she leaves with the fond best wishes of everyone.”
The relationships Jackie formed with graduate students and student workers are among her fondest memories. She has stayed involved in many of their lives over the years.
“They challenge me and my intellect. I’ve always wanted to learn new things and they keep me going.”
Retirement has more challenges in store. The self-proclaimed animal lover and “people person” plans to spend much of her time volunteering at the Animal Adoption Foundation on State Route 27 in Hamilton and at hospitals. Jackie says eventually she might find a part-time job.
“I’m not a person to stay home and twiddle my thumbs,” she says. “I’ve been told to rewind and settle into the whole retirement thing, and then try to get out there in the world again and see what I can do.”
Whatever she ends up doing, Jackie is sure to form more lasting friendships along the way.
“Every day was a memorable experience because of the way this office ran, and the way people treated me, and the friendships I made that I hope continue after I leave this building,” she says. “I work on friendship.”
Want to continue your friendship with Jackie? Send her a message.