Newsletter Detail

Mary Jo arrived at SUNY Cortland in 2003 and began her career in the Human Resources Office, transferring to the Center for Environmental and Outdoor Education in February of 2006. With her knowledge of the Miller Building staff, she made the transition very quickly. She says the most difficult thing to learn was the billing system, which is coordinated through Auxiliary Services Corporation. The best part of the job is the variety of tasks and the challenges it presents, making the time go quickly during work hours.

Alumni, students, faculty and staff who have worked with Mary Jo on the phone or in person will miss her warm personality and ability to solve almost any problem. Coordinators bringing their groups to Raquette Lake would often get a call or email from Mary Jo with a helpful reminder that this form or that arrangement hasn’t been completed. Many have told me they would be lost without her consistent support and willingness to go the extra mile with them.

And Mary Jo treats all of our constituents as family. During her occasional visits to Raquette Lake, she has had the chance to meet many of the people she had known for years over the phone, and she remembers little things about their group or families. Her personal touch with groups prior to their arrival sets the tone for building a community that quickly grows while they are here.

In retirement, Mary Jo looks forward to life slowing down, traveling with her husband, Dan, when he retires, and kayaking at their lake house. She also loves to spend time baking and cooking in her new kitchen. With two daughters now residing in Charlotte, N.C., we expect she’ll be taking some long vacations in the South to visit. We thank Mary Jo for 10 great years with the center and wish her all the best in retirement. We hope she’ll return often to visit both SUNY Cortland and Raquette Lake to say hello to her many friends and colleagues.