Tucked into an unassuming office on the third floor of the Student Union is a woman who has dedicated herself to the University for more than 37 years.
Mary James arrived to work at the University in March 1970. She has seen numerous administrations and campus developments come and go.
She began as an accountant for the Union and later moved to the School of Music. Her most recent role – which she has held for the past 14 years – is as an adviser and manager to Student Government.
“I have enjoyed every minute,” James said. “I’ve gotten so much out of it.”
Her office walls are covered in pictures – family, previous students, present administrators. In many of them, James can be seen surrounded by students, every face smiling. And behind every photograph, there are a dozen stories.
Student Senate Speaker Colorado Robertson said James has been the most consistent part of SG. He said she worked as a stabilizing factor to oppose the high turnover threatening the continuity of the student public body.
“She’s definitely been a key part of Student Government,” Robertson said. “She keeps the Student Government office running efficiently.”
But James did more than merely manage the SG offices in the Union.
“I was able to give advice to the kids and treat them like humans,” she said. “The kids are just what I’m here for.”
Today is James’ last day at the University. She said her plans include spending more time with her family, enjoying the upcoming holiday season and possibly a trip to Hawaii.
James also plans to continue maintaining her Web site, www.insight2020.com. Begun in 1995, the site provides numberscopes – predictions similar to horoscopes that use numbers instead of astrological signs.
James said maintaining the site is a hobby of hers.
“I don’t do it for money,” she said. “I don’t let anybody advertise because I don’t want to be painted with a broad brush.”
After leaving the University, James said she will continue to keep in touch with students, many of whom call her their “SG mom.” James remains in contact with many previous students, including some who have come full circle and returned to the University to work as administrators.
“You get to know them and stay close to them,” she said. “I can depend on a lot of these kids.”
Despite leaving the place she’s worked for nearly 40 years, James is nothing but positive about the future. By learning from the past and maintaining a wealth of relationships, she said she is ready to experience new things.
“The further you look back into the past, the further you can go into the future,” she said.
—-Contact Daniel McBride at [email protected]