Sally Mohle Says Goodbye to
Student Centers

Sally Mohle, Student Centers dedicated Business Manager, has decided to throw in the towel after her twenty three years of working at George Mason University. The following are the answers to an interview conducted with the wonderful Mrs. Sally Mohle.

• Can you give us a brief background of yourself?
I am an Army brat who has lived in Kansas, Hawaii, Louisiana and Virginia. I went to high school in Fairfax, VA and then Sweet Briar College in Amherst, VA, where I received a degree in Modern Languages (French, Spanish and Italian, though I’m only fluent in English). I’ve been happily married for 30 years to Pete Mohle, who worked at GMU for over 20 years. Our family consists of two cats, two nieces, two nephews and a great-niece and great-nephew.

• How would you explain your career as a professional?
I had been secretary to the president of a local real estate company in late March 1985 when I came to work for GMU in Accounts Payable. I stayed in Accounts Payable for three years then I began working for John Spaldo, who was then Director of Student Unions in 1988. Six months later, John was promoted to Associate Director of Auxiliary Enterprises, a new department, and I transferred with him and remained there for seven years. In January of 1996, when the Johnson Center (originally called the “University Learning Center”) opened, I transferred with John again, to “University Center Operations”. Before too long the department name changed to “Johnson Center & Student Union Operations”, and recently to “Student Centers”, as you know. I ended up working for David Atkins, who had been a co-worker for many years. So I have been in this department and building for 12 years!

• If there was one thing you could change in your experiences at Mason, what would that be?
The number one thing I would change is—when I first heard someone say, “Ask Sally; she knows everything,” I would have told them to NEVER say that again. It has been a curse for me.

• What are your plans for retirement? (besides the beaches and the sleeping)
My number one plan for retirement is SLEEPING. Number two is meditating every day and exercising (I should have been exercising all along!). I don’t get bored easily so I don’t have a lot of plans and am looking forward to seeing what life brings me!

• What will you miss the most?
I believe what I will miss the most is knowing how all my co-workers are doing, what’s going on with them, personally and professionally, on an ongoing basis. You are probably laughing because I haven’t had much time lately to chat with my co-workers!

• Any words of wisdom? YES!
#1-Invest wisely (and often) so you too can retire
at age 53!!!!!!!
#2-Work hard and play hard
#3-It is normal to change some as you get older, personality-wise, and interest-wise. Be open to new things.
#4-No matter how you see life now, there is a different perspective out there—“there are (at least) two sides to every story”. Everything is not “black or white”—there’s a lot of “grey area”.
#5-A positive, helpful, “can-do” attitude can get you farther in life than most other things, including intelligence, wealth, personality, friends and good looks!

Sally will definitely be missed. Her very cheerful and wise presence would make any work environment easy and enjoyable. Twenty-three years is a long time. One can say that Sally has certainly paid her dues. Though it is her time to leave, everyone in Student Centers knows that the corner of Room 324 in the JC will always be remembered as Sally Mohle’s office.

From Colleagues >>

Nancy Murphy:
“Sally and I go back to 1989, almost twenty years. She was 'the girl next door.' I had never worked in an office before and was full of questions. Fortunately, for me, Sally was full of answers.

I have been lucky to have her as a friend for all these years and just can't get over the fact that she is retiring before me!

I hate to think she won't be here anymore.
I hate to think of "the knowledge" that will leave with her.
And, I hate to think of the void in our lunch bunch conversations.”

Sukey O’Donnel:
“Sally has an amazing memory for names, dates, titles, events - you name it. She also is a very attentive listener who only gives her opinion when asked, and then it is usually well worth asking for.”

John Spaldo:
“I wish her the best for a happy retirement but before
she leaves she has to turn in the "Elvis Magnet."

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Waffle Day 2008

WAFFLES, WAFFLES!!!

That is right folks, the second annual Waffle Day took place on March 3, 2008 from 12:00pm to 1pm in Dewberry Hall. This year it was hosted by Student Centers in conjunction with the Freshman Center, The Office of Alcohol Drug and Health Education and Orientation Family Programs and Services. Waffle Day 2008 was open to the entire University community - faculty, staff, and of course, students. There were give-a-ways, prizes, sing-a-longs, and most of all, waffles with your choice of toppings. This year we were successful with waffles and the toppings of your choice. We had faculty and staff from Student Centers along with University Life serving and interacting with the Waffle Day participants. We also were graced with the presence of Dr. Merten who stopped by to talk with folks and most of all, eat waffles!

If you did not attend, you missed the Waffle Day Song, free t-shirts and back packs. We are grateful for all those who supported and participated in Waffle Day. With your support, it was a huge success. We look forward to the 3rd annual Waffle Day which will be held on March 2, 2009 in Dewberry Hall. There will be a few changes next year but we will keep with the spirit of previous Waffle Days. We look forward to seeing you next year and having more waffles and more fun!!

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Facility Improvements

Facilities Projects and Updates:
Student Centers has been working on several improvements to the facilities over the past few months. Many of the projects involve building systems and behind-the-scenes equipment so they may not be immediately noticeable. We have made some more apparent changes that we hope will improve the appearance and function of some spaces.

Recently Completed Projects:
• There is new signage in SUB II that is intended to help direct visitors who use the building. The vinyl lettering was applied directly to the columns and bulkheads to achieve a clean look and maximize visibility. Keep in mind that there are also online directories for all of the Student Centers buildings at studentcenters.gmu.edu.

• In the Johnson Center the countertops in the 3rd floor meeting rooms have been replaced. The new countertops are wall anchored with steel reinforcement and central supports. Corian was used to create an attractive, consistent and durable surface for the meeting rooms.

• The trash receptacles have been replaced in the outdoor space by the middle level of SUB II and five tables (and umbrellas weather permitting) have been added to make this a more user friendly area.

Upcoming projects:
• Doors with Omnilocks throughout the student centers will have one new code programmed into the lock. This code will be used strictly by Student Centers’ staff for emergencies and urgent situations.
• The space in the Corner Pocket game room in Shenandoah Hall is being renovated to accommodate a storage closet. This is a minor renovation and should not affect service.
• The pay phone bank on the ground floor of the Johnson Center has been removed to create a lactation room. Workplace lactation programs are a growing trend as they reduce the cost of health care and improve the health of infants and mothers.

Student Centers welcomes any comments about past, present or future projects. Please direct any feedback to scfm@gmu.edu.

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Leadership Throughout Mason
in Student Centers!

Leadership is all around us at George Mason University and particularly within Student Centers. We have over 60 student employees that work for us as Building Managers, Office Assistants, Venue Assistants, Event Technicians and Recreation Assistants. Let’s not forget our student managers: the Operations Managers and Assistant Operations Managers.

These students contribute to Mason through Student Centers but they are also student leaders. A whopping 81% of our student employees are involved in a campus club or organization.

After surveying our students using the Student Activities umbrella structure, over 69% of our student employees are involved in clubs and organizations that are volunteer based.

At 36%, the two second highest involvement rates of our student employees within a club or organization fell underneath Special Interest Organizations and Greek Organizations.

Lastly, 21.2% of student employees held executive positions within their clubs or organizations.

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Data Performance Information

Below are the 2007 statistics reporting the volume of activity associated with selective services or monitored activity in or around Student Centers.

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Student Centers Website: Redesign

A new look and feel for the Student Centers website is soon to come. It is a project that will take much reorganization and conceptualization for branding. The site is something to look forward to as it will represent George Mason Student Centers.

Any neat ideas? Please contact Uri Bombasi at mbombasi@gmu.edu to share your thoughts.

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Recognizing
Our Stars

Think big, believe big, act big, and the results will be big. -Anonymous

This quote summarizes our student staff within our department. It is that time of year again, April showers bring May flowers and the end of the semester is within sight. It is also time for the “Shoot for the Stars” Awards Luncheon. Student Centers will be hosting the 18th Annual Awards Luncheon on May 2nd from 12pm to 1:30pm in the Meese Room in Mason Hall. This is an opportunity to show our student staff our appreciation for their hard work over the year. In addition to the awards that we have awarded previously, we have added two more awards: Customer Service and Rookie of the Year.

The following awards will be presented:
• Teamwork
• Volunteerism
• Professionalism
• Initiative
• Mentoring
• Customer Service
• Rookie of the Year
• Exemplary Management Skills
• Student Employee of the Year

Thanks for a great year!

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Anniversaries

Congratulations to the Student Centers staff whose anniversaries are in the months of April and May:

Sally Mohle (Retired):
23 Years

Morgan Vandergrift:
24 years

Kevin Bowers:
1 year

Joan Hickey:
19 years

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Web Information

To learn more about services associated with our department, consider visiting these websites:

• Apple Credit Union
http://www.gmu.edu/univserv/
apple.html

• Bookstore
http://gmu.bkstore.com

• Campus Link
http://www.campuslnk.com/
schools/gmu/index.cfm

• Dining Services
http://www.gmu.edu/univ_ctr/
services/dining/

• Events Management
http://www.gmu.edu/departments
/ur/events

• Events Production
http://www.gmu.edu/ep

• Student Centers
http://studentcenters.gmu.edu

• Chevy Chase Bank
http://www.gmu.edu/univserv/ chevychasebank.htm

• Game Rooms
http://gamerooms.gmu.edu

• University Services
http://www.gmu.edu/univserv

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Listservs

We have just created new listservs for our department so that we can keep you informed on announcements, closings, upgrades and improvements. If you know someone who is not on the listserv or if you have hired a new staff member, please bring this to their attention.

If you are receiving this
e-newsletter, you are on the listserv.

You can subscribe to the listservs by using the links below:

• JC Occupants Listserv

• JCSU Student Staff Listserv

• SUB I Occupants Listserv

• SUB II Occupants Listserv

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Hours of Operation

For the Student Centers Spring Exam/ Commencement hours, please click here.

For Summer hours, please click here.

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