"I came here with the building," says Shirley Fryer, staff secretary in the Education, Organization and Leadership Department. Then she corrects it, "Actually, I came here before the building." About six years before the building, actually, in 1958. Now, 30 years of "active duty" later, (she doesn't count the 14 years she left to raise a family and only worked part time) Fryer retired at the end of May.

Staff secretary doesn't really do justice to her responsibilities over the years. By all accounts, heart of the department might be a better description. She is a vocal and eloquent fan of the College, her department, her faculty and her students. Her departure really is the end of an era, and the loss of a walking history of the College.

"She has just an incredible knowledge of this place, of the department and the College," says Richard Hunter, EOL department head. "She is just so well-respected by our students and our faculty. You just can't replace someone like Shirley."

And, students, past and present agree. Sue Knight (Ed.D. 1994), the Superintendent of Giles and Leigh Public Schools in Norridge, Illinois, recalls Shirley as the first person she met in the department and, as she went through the program, as the person to turn to for just about anything. "She just really did know it all."

If 30 years in the same College seems unusual, in Fryer's case it seems like it was predetermined. Her first apartment after her marriage was at 51 Armory. It was an apartment she had to leave when the University bought the building to house the College of Education. "I was evicted by the College," she jokes. Now she's retiring from it. Obviously, Fryer isn't one to hold grudges.

In fact, far from it. Her retirement plans are still a bit unclear. "I have so much to finish, I'm not sure I can get it all done before I leave. I expect I'll have to come back for a while to wrap it all up."

And, even beyond that service, Fryer says she will be available when the department needs her.

"I told them, I'm just ten minutes and a phone call away."

"We're going to try not to bother her too much," says Hunter.  Then, a moment later, he adds, "But I know we're going to call her."