Join us in wishing a hearty congratulations to Jean Hall on her retirement this month! Jean is nothing short of an institution at DUL and Technical Services, and is retiring after a career of 45 years. Take it away, Jean:
“I started on January 27, 1977. I had just graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration in December 1976. I worked all of my 45 years in the Acquisitions department.
I started out as a clerk typist in Acquisitions. I typed up all of the purchase orders from the professors. Somewhere down the line my position was upgraded to a library assistant. I was in the accounting unit at one time. I even learned how to write computer programs for accounting. I was upgraded to a library assistant senior at one point. Over the years, I have processed approval book and firm order books. I really enjoyed working with the Weinberg approval books. I couldn’t speak Hebrew, but I had fun matching up some of the Hebrew books to the Hebrew characters on the invoice.
I was one of the first group of library workers to organize the Ergonomic Committee in the library.
I also bowled in the Duke Blue Devils Bowling League. I was given the nickname Mean Jean the Bowling Machine.
As I start this new chapter in my life, the first thing that I will do on Monday morning, is to sleep past 5:00am. I will have to remember to turn off my alarm clock.”
An impressive list of roles and experiences for sure, Jean will be missed (though if there’s ever a bowling league again we are bringing her back as coach)!
One of Jean’s colleagues over these many years has been Antha Marshall, who shared a few words about Jean:
“Jean was born at Duke Hospital and continues to live in Durham. She is a graduate of Durham High School and played in the band. Jean remembers how downtown Durham was from the late 50’s through the early 70’s before there were many malls. Most of the department stores were located in downtown. She and I frequently reminisce about Belks, Amos & Andy’s hotdogs, Five Points, and the sweet fragrance of cured tobacco in downtown.
Jean belonged to a bowling league that included her parents. She and her family would often travel to bowling competitions in other states. It was always interesting to hear her describe different parts of the United States that she had traveled to and also a variety of musical groups, such as Alabama, that she got to hear. When Jean first heard the group Alabama, at Myrtle Beach, SC, they had not yet become famous.
Jean is an expert at processing Hebrew materials. She would lend her expertise to anyone that had a question regarding an invoice, a vendor of Hebrew material, or a book.
I wish Jean much happiness in her retirement!”
We wish you all the best Jean, enjoy retirement and don’t forget to turn that alarm off!