After celebrating 34 years of service to the Castleton University community, Director of Library Services Sandy Duling has set her sights on retirement at the culmination of the 2015-16 academic year. Having served as a valued member of the Calvin Coolidge Library team since 1982, her warm, welcoming and familiar smile will be missed by many.
“Not only is Sandy a leader and a well respected member of the Castleton community, she is also a mentor and friend. For many years she has dedicated herself to Castleton, guiding the library through rapid shifts in technology and educational practices. In doing so, she has continually positioned the library as the academic heart of campus. Her retirement will leave a big empty space in the library and on campus. Not only will the library staff miss her, but so will the students that she has taught and mentored over the years. We wish her all the best in this next chapter of her life.”
- Librarian Lauren Olewnik
“Sandy is pretty much the very first person I met at Castleton, she was on the committee that hired me 25 years ago. She is unfailingly kind, helpful, patient, and community-minded. She has guided the library steadily into the 21st Century, despite serious budgetary restrictions, making it as accessible and useful as possible to everyone. People who don't even know her very well are going to find out that they really miss her!”
- Professor of Geology and Chemistry Helen Mango
“Sandy is an incredible boss! Very supportive and always willing to help out in any way. She will be missed!”
- Coordinator of the Educational Technology Services Karen Sanborn
“I first met Sandy as my fifth grade teacher. Although it was brief, since she took a position at Castleton soon after, our paths would cross again when I became an employee here. Working with her has been always a pleasure. Her affable manner always made things so easy when tech problems arose. At some point I began running sound for the band she formed with Pat Max, that being Extra Stout. Things led to another and over the course of 10 years I was somehow integrated into the band. Sandy always downplays her ability as a musician, but she can sight-read music in a way that is amazing to me – especially at the tempo at which Irish tunes are often played. She does it with such ease and humility. I feel a huge hole in the music when she can’t make a gig and even find myself performing poorly when I don’t have her to follow.”
- Information Technology Systems Advisor Jonathan Czar
Also retiring from the Castleton community this year are the following staff members:
Gordon Austin, Maintenance Technician, 26 years or service
Faye Colm Alsop, Administrative Assistant of Public Safety, 27 years of service
Monique Densmore, Operations Assistant of the University Store, 20 years of service
Maryanne Heilig, Operations Assistant of the University Store, 16 years of service
Virginia Johnston, Access Services Librarian, 20 years of service
Nancy Luzer, Librarian, 17 years of service
Vy Swenson, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, 25 years