Assistant registrars Patricia Lee and Pat Yancey celebrated more than 80 years of combined service for the University on Thursday at their retirement reception in the University Suite Stadium Club.
Lee has worked for the University for 49 years, and Yancey has worked for the University for 33 years. The two became close friends during their time in the Registrar office, where they would not only work, but also hang out and eat lunch together.
“I’ll always remember the good parties we’ve had in the office. We work hard and we party hard too,” Lee said.
Senior Associate Registrar Patti Beste said the two women would sit down to eat lunch in the break room of the office and share a bowl of popcorn together every day.
“You could always count on them to be in the lunch room with their popcorn, and sometimes we would join them,” Beste said. “They are a huge part of the history of the office.”
As an assistant registrar, Lee worked for the University for 49 years and determined residency for in- and out-of-state students while running co-op programs with other universities.
“I’m the go-to person if you’re lost and you can’t find your way at LSU. You find yourself in my office,” Lee said.
She said she started working in the office as a receptionist and moved to work in registration.
Lee first met Yancey when they worked registration together and hired her for a full time position afterward, Lee said.
She said since then, they have shared many good times in the office together.
Yancey, University alumna and assistant registrar, spent 33 years scheduling and moving classes.
“It’s quite the work load, but after 33 years I have it down to a science,” Yancey said.
Beste noted that Lee and Yancey have seen several transitions in the University registration system.
“They were there from the days of paper and pencil and…put everything in place,” Beste said. “Even as their supervision, they have taught me more than I was teaching them.”
She said replacements have not been found and a search is still going on.
“Even as their supervision, they have taught me more than I was teaching them.”
