My life has been full and happy since graduating from Beyer. I went from Beyer to UC Davis, where I majored in Physical Education (sports psychology and cardiac physiology concentrations). I enjoyed my time at UCD very much! I was in a sorority (Phi Mu) and made many great friends. It was also during that time that my father died unexpectedly at age 47. My sister had just started a year as an exchange student in Austria. My mom was determined that Pam and I would continue our lives as before, so I went back to Davis and Pam returned to Austria. My dad’s death taught me at an early age to appreciate every day, as we don’t know what lies ahead.After graduating from UCD in 1982, I went on to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo for my master’s degree in Physical Education/Employee Wellness. I was able to complete the master’s in a year, and was fortunate to be hired by the Cal Poly Foundation the week following graduation as a Safety, Health and Fitness and Training program Supervisor. A long title for someone who got to have fun at work! And 25 + years later I’m still at Cal Poly, and love it! I am now the Associate Human Resources Director for the Cal Poly Corporation (same organization, just a name change). We oversee the food services, bookstore, research and grants and other auxiliary services on campus. I still oversee the employee training and development, plus conflict resolution, motivation, safety and health. It’s an ideal job and I’m so happy to be here.
In addition to my full time job, I’m also an adjunct faculty member for both the Kinesiology department and the College of Business, Management area. It was these positions that lead me to my decision to pursue my doctorate degree. I was Cal Poly’s first employee to participate (and graduate!) in the new Joint Doctorate Program in Educational leadership. The program is a collaborative partnership between Cal Poly and UCSB. It was a three-year program; the first year at UCSB, the second at Cal Poly, and the third spent writing a dissertation. My research centers around the relationship between employee job satisfaction and workers’ compensation costs. It is a very practical research piece, and I’m working on getting published in the next few months. Achieving the doctorate was a lifetime dream.
I’ve enjoyed many volunteer opportunities here on the Central Coast as well. I was Board President of the American Heart Association for several years and continue to chair the annual Women and Heart Disease luncheon. I recently concluded a six year term on the Red Cross Board as well. I’ve been a CPR instructor since my early days at UCD and am glad to support such worthwhile organizations.
My husband Randy and I have been married for over 21 years. We met on virtually his first day on the job at Cal Poly! We were married in May, 1987. Randy’s two sons were just six and eight years old when I met them, and we spent many years enjoying soccer games and cheering their success. Nathan (now 32) finished his Ph.D. about the same time as I did, and is now an Assistant Professor in Sports Administration at the University of Memphis. Barrett (now 29 and recently married) graduated from San Diego state in Graphics Communication and is now a craftsman specializing in customized woodwork. Barrett and his wife Niki live nearby in Morro Bay.
Our lives are happy and full. We enjoy travel (spent a month in France last fall to celebrate our 20th anniversary and my graduation), sports (we’re avid fans of Cal Poly baseball and football) plus the SF Giants. Randy retired from the Cal Poly Foundation a couple of years ago and is now working in the local wine industry, currently at Edna Valley Vineyard. We love living in San Luis Obispo, and are delighted when we see friends’ children now attending Cal Poly. Please let us know when you are in the area!
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