She's been the beating heart of the College of Music for 24 years. Now, Gayle Boethling (pictured here with student Craig Robertson) is retiring.
Odds are if you're a听staff member, a faculty member, a student or a wayward passerby in Imig Music Building, you鈥檝e probably interacted with Gayle Boethling. She鈥檚 the friendly, helpful smile just outside the dean鈥檚 office, her desk covered in the many files and papers that indicate the breadth of her ever-evolving role at the College of Music. And now, for the first time since the mid-90s, the college has to navigate a slew of logistics without her.
After a long career in school administration,听including the past 24 years at the college, Boethling enters her well-earned retirement this summer. Her position鈥攚hich started off as administrative assistant for Dean Daniel Sher on May 23, 1994鈥攅bbed and flowed with the needs of the college through听the years.
"Over time听my responsibilities grew to paying guest artists, faculty travel, faculty affairs administration, reimbursements, student award payments and lodging and arrangements for student group travel. I was promoted to office manager and supervised staff, organized meetings for the staff and supervised work study students.鈥�
So basically ... everything. Sher, in fact, said it best in his speech honoring Boethling at a retirement celebration this spring:
"Gayle,听with your remarkable dedication, with your special blend of good cheer and spicy lightheartedness, you played an invaluable role on all these levels to keep this college moving forward, and you did much more than your fair share for 24 years.鈥�
But听you don鈥檛 become a fixture at a place for a quarter-century without forming enduring friendships with colleagues. And that鈥檚 what Boethling says she鈥檒l remember most fondly.
"I have so many great memories," Boethling says. 鈥淥ne of my fondest memories is the incredible trip that some staff and faculty took to Italy to celebrate [Professor Emerita] Judith Glyde鈥檚 house-warming party. That was the trip of a lifetime. I also cherish the many friendships I have made with our students. They never cease to amaze me with their dedication, hard work and talent.
"I will miss the staff, faculty and students. They have all become part of my family, and I will truly miss working with them.鈥�
For those who know how integral her work is to the functioning of the college, it should come as no surprise (and something of a relief) that the tireless Boethling鈥檚 talents won鈥檛 go unused once she retires.
"I will be doing adminstrative support for Race Across America and traveling to support our bike races. I will also be traveling for fun鈥擨 can鈥檛 wait to travel off season! I will spend more time with family in Minnesota and here and enjoying friends, reading books and exercising when it is still light outside.鈥�
