Retirees Honored

McMicken College is losing two of its most valued employees with the retirements of staff members Sue Curtis from the mathematics department and Frank Mendralski from the department of chemistry.

Acting head of the chemistry department, Joe Caruso, wrote of Mendralski, “Following his release from active duty as a naval officer, Frank received his MS in chemistry from UC. After that he spent time at Armco Steel before joining the department of chemistry as

lecturer/demonstrator. Through the years he progressed to senior administrative assistant. However, he was able to remain active with the Naval Reserve during these many years.

In his time with us he had many responsibilities from office management to fiscal matters, but to focus on just one, we will remember his yeoman efforts in keeping our physical facilities and operations humming along at their best. We will miss and remember those efforts as well as others. We offer our many thanks for his services. On behalf of the department, I wish Frank and his wife, Shirley, the very best. I know that this transition is just another step toward a rich, rewarding, and fulfilling retirement. We wish them the best of luck always.”

Joanna Mitro, assistant head of the mathematical science department, commented on Sue Curtis’ retirement, “Official records list Sue’s hire date as September 15, 1974, but she actually began work as a student employee in Facilities Management in 1971. In 1974, she became a full-time employee in the stockroom and later moved to the

personnel division where she handled payroll for more than 500 employees. This was ‘before computers,’ she reminds us. In late 1987, Sue joined the department of mathematical sciences as office manager and was eventually promoted to administrative assistant.

Prior to Sue’s arrival, the department had been running adequately (we thought), but in fact the office was organized quite informally. Sue quickly instituted vastly improved filing, record-keeping, and storage systems. Her capable supervision of office staff and her reorganization of office space and procedures raised department operation to a new level of efficiency and effectiveness. Her intimate knowledge of facilities management made her a valuable manager of the department’s physical maintenance as well. On a personal level, Sue added many decorative and design touches to enhance the department’s appearance. She also took an active role in all social gatherings. One of her favorite activities was planning the department’s annual picnic, where she presided virtually from dawn to dusk, even handing out door prizes to attendees.

Sue and her husband, Ed, have retired to their new home in Georgetown, Ohio, where she continues to indulge her creative flair by decorating the house and enhancing the landscaping. We wish them a happy and productive retirement.”