Mary Anderson to Retire From MSUCOM

By Craig Reed

June 8, 2006

June marks a significant change for the college with the retirement of Mary Anderson, student records officer for MSUCOM.

Born and raised in Lansing, Anderson is the middle child from a family of 14 children.

“I started working for MSU in 1965 in the College of Education as a secretary for the Director of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program,” said Anderson. “I was a young, woman with small children at the time. I had planned on working for the university for just six months, but I’ve been somewhere on campus ever since.”

In 1973, Anderson joined the newly established College of Osteopathic Medicine as an executive secretary. “The college was small in the beginning, but you got to know everyone,” said Anderson “including all the students.”

“I was the only staff member in the Student Affairs Office for several years,” she continued. “The biggest challenge in the beginning was that there were no record keeping systems established, so I had to design a lot of the systems we needed then, and most are still being used in some form today. As the college changed and grew, my role expanded as well,” she said. “What I’ve really enjoyed most about my job is that I’ve been working behind the scenes with every single graduate since the college was established.”

Anderson not only played an important role in making the college what it is today, she has also channeled her energies into helping people off-campus as well. “I’ve been active in missionary work,” she explained. Anderson has so far been on 18 trips, teaching at a women’s Bible college in Romania, visiting orphanages in China and joining doctors on medical trips to the Philippines and South America, and doing construction work through Central and South America. “I feel it is important to assist our fellow life travelers,” she explained. “We all have different gifts to help each other. In my own humble way, I try to do what I can.”

So what does Anderson plan to do in retirement?  “I haven’t quite figured that out yet,” she said. “I will definitely be involved in some kind of compassionate ministry, at home or abroad. I’m also open to living in another country to pursue more missionary work.”

“It’s going to be very hard to leave the college,” said Anderson as she reflected on her upcoming retirement next week. “I know I’m leaving the office in good hands, but I’m leaving 41 years of relationships from all over the university.”

“Mary has always presented a welcoming atmosphere and pleasant nature,” said William Falls Ph.D., associate dean of student services. “She has earned the respect of all who come in contact with her. I appreciate Mary for all she has done for the college and wish her well in well-deserved retirement.”

So as Anderson begins the next chapter of her life, so too does the college as it adjusts to the fact that someone who’s been with the college since the beginning will be moving on.

On Wednesday, June 14^th, there will be a Retirement Party for Mary Anderson from 3:30pm to 5:30pm in C102 Patenge Room in East Fee Hall for anyone who wishes to come and celebrate. You can also send her your well wishes via email by clicking here.