Laurie Harding, the Graduate Student Society (GSS) executive assistant, has retired after 23 years of service.
Harding held the title of executive assistant, but students she worked with confirm she wore many hats throughout her tenure – everything from a confidant for the members to the GSS's institutional handbook.
Sathish Pichika, past president, says Harding was like a mother figure to the GSS.
“She guided us through difficult times, questioned us when we made mistakes and praised us for our accomplishments,” Pichika says, noting she encouraged him to run for president. “I can still recall the morning when I dropped by the GSS office to pick up the yearly calendar, and she motivated me to run for president as she saw leadership potential in me.”
Harding’s ability to connect with members of the GSS was proven at her retirement Zoom party, with former executives from the 1990s joining to celebrate her.
The GSS has created a Kudoboard for anyone interested in sharing a memory or sending well wishes to Harding on her retirement.