[Speaker is Shari Conroy, administrative assistant, National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory]
Conroy: There’s two main faculty groups in the cyclotron; there’s the experimental group and the theory group, and I work for the theoretical physicists, and I provide administrative support to them, help with conferences, help with visitors, arranging seminars, things like that.
I just celebrated my 31st anniversary on Sept. 18, and I’m retiring on Dec. 11.
I remember, I believe it was 1978, when the superconducting cyclotron was commissioned and Henry Blosser was director of the lab then, and he compared it to the commitment that people used to have to building a great cathedral. People might not be here for the entire project, but they were all betting their careers and other things that it would work, and it did. I just remember that analogy. I thought it was very apt.
It’s very satisfying to have been here long enough to see them get the (FRIB) project because I’m sure you’re aware that we were a long shot when the competition started. I think that will be one of the memories I have that you always remember the morning that we knew we had it. I heard a “whoop” from downstairs and I thought, “Well, somebody’s either fallen down the stairs, or we got it.” That’s how I knew before it was officially announced over the public address system.
One of the things that I’ve liked is like many people’s jobs these days, it has evolved. So, I’ve been here 31 years, but I certainly haven’t been doing the same job for 31 years and that’s made it very enjoyable, but probably also a bit of a challenge. Various professors that I’ve worked with have been editors of journals and that’s added sometimes an interesting side to the job.
I think the most rewarding part has been the people. Especially the faculty members of the group have been here a long time. We have visitors from all over the world and all over the country, and I really enjoy working with the graduate students and the undergraduate students. I’m going to miss that. The people have been great.
[Produced by Brian Vernellis. Media Communications. University Relations. Michigan State University]