A longtime faculty member in the College of Agriculture, who many say has always gone out of her way to make students feel special, will say goodbye after 36 years at the University.
Charlotte Robertson has held various positions during her career at the University.
“I’m retiring because the time has come,” Robertson said. “A favorite quote of a dear friend of mine is, ‘There is a time to go and a time to come; my time to go has come.'”
Jackie Mallet, an assistant dean in the College of Agriculture, said over the years, Robertson has held positions as the secretary to the alumni office, the secretary to the assistant registrar, secretary to the Degree Candidate Counselor, Office of the Registrar and academic counselor for the College of Agriculture.
Robertson said her first positions at the University did not deal a lot with the students.
“Once I came to agriculture and began my complete involvement with the academic end of this University,” Robertson said, “I knew I had found my final place.”
Robertson said her greatest accomplishment at the University has been to see students enter as freshmen and watch them mature throughout their college experience.
Mallet said Robertson is known for her ability to make students feel like “somebody,” not just a number.
Tom Duckless, a vocational studies junior and Robertson’s student worker for the past three years, said Robertson offered advice to students, and if she could not help them, she would refer them to someone who could.
Duckless said although Robertson never has taught a class, she would visit Agriculture 1001 classes to show freshmen how to read their degree audits.
Robertson said she will keep in touch with co-workers and students after she retires.
“I have already marked my calender for the next couple graduation dates so I can see some of my current students go across the stage and get their diploma,” Robertson said.
Robertson said there is one family in particular, where she has graduated three of the four siblings.
Robertson said she forsees a very bright future for the University, but until the new chancellor is chosen, the future is yet to be known.
There will be a reception today in the Ag Administraton building from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. to honor Robertson before her departure.