Connie Gross Retires
On January 1, 2007, long-time administrative assistant to the dean, Connie
Gross, will retire after serving nearly 46 years at the School of HPER. No
other faculty or staff employee in HPER’s history, has worked for a longer
time period. Her contributions to the School and to the University have
been truly immeasurable.
Connie was born April 8, 1941 in Bloomington to Lloyd and Ruth Gross. The lone girl in the family, she grew up amongst three brothers: Don, Max (deceased) and Bill. She received her primary education in a two room country school – Knight Ridge School, and later attended the old University High School for grades 7 through 12. After graduating from high school in 1959, she attended Indiana University for 1 ½ years, and took business courses with the objective to obtain a secretarial position at the University. In January, 1961, Connie landed a staff position at the School of HPER as secretary to Assistant Dean John Endwright. She recalls her interviews with Dean Endwright, Dean Arthur Daniels and long-time secretary Marlene Stone, who also served HPER and the University for over 40 years before she retired in 2000.
At the start of Connie’s employment at HPER on January 31, 1961, the School had just moved from Alpha Hall (located in what is presently the south lawn of Jordan Hall along East Third Street next to the greenhouse) into its new building on Seventh Street. From the beginning, Connie was located in the Dean’s Office. She recalls that “her desk was in the records area where there were only two people, the recorder and herself. There was also a long table where the advisors would bring their students and do their advising rather than in their respective offices. There were also filing cabinets all the way around the room.” She also recalls the vast changes that have occurred over the years: “When I first started working, I typed on a manual typewriter, and slowly graduated to an electric typewriter, a typewriter with memory and then the computer!” From 1961 to 1966, she worked for John Endwright until he became Dean in 1966. Later, she worked for Assistant Dean James Belisle (who replaced John Endwright), and then for Dean Tony Mobley in 1976 until his retirement in 2002. She has completed her career under David Gallahue who became dean in 2002. During her career, she also assisted Dr. Ted Deppe who served as Associate Director of Graduate Studies in addition to his chair duties in the Department of Recreation and Park Administration.
Throughout the years, Connie performed a variety of functions as a support staff employee to the School deans: typing and distribution of application materials, admission letters to applicants, completion of the School Bulletin, coordination and assistance with the School’s graduation send-off luncheons, payroll administration, among many, many, functions. One of the most invaluable functions she performed has been in the role as School Scheduling Officer, which she took over the reins following the retirement of Dr. James Belisle. Away from work, Connie’s personal life has been filled with a variety of avocations including church involvements, sorority work, and avid support of Indiana University athletics. She plans to continue these involvements during her years of retirement.
While at IU, Connie received many recognitions and honors including the University Staff Award in 1985 and the School Outstanding Support Staff Award in 1992. However, these many plaques and personal mementos that Connie has received during her career have been overshadowed by more meaningful recognitions that have been bestowed upon her by colleagues and co-workers. These have largely been acts of reciprocity: an outpouring of love and affection towards her by those who have treasured her loyalty, reliability, keen judgment, and friendship (among many other attributes too numerous to mention). Her presence at the School of HPER will truly be missed. But her legacy is also assured. Connie Gross has been an individual that has truly “made a difference” in contributing to the diverse missions of the School of HPER, and to Indiana University.
Happy retirement Connie!
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