A Torch is Passed

Dear Faculty, Students, and Colleagues,

As most of you already you know, Kathy Nolan will be retiring from the University on Friday, June 5th, after giving nearly 45 years of outstanding service to the Program of Mortuary Science. This past January, we began a search process for a person to take over Kathy's work responsibilities. The University received over 60 applications in response to the job posting, of which 54 were referred to the Program as being qualified for consideration. We carefully and thoughtfully reviewed all 54 application files, which included a cover letter, resume, and list of references. We narrowed the list down to five finalists, who were invited to our office for interviews. Following our interviews, which concluded last week, we decided on the one candidate we felt was best qualified to meet the needs of our Program.

?It gives me great pleasure to announce that Ms. Molly Diethelm will be our next Executive Operations & Student Services Specialist. Molly will begin full-time work in the Program on Monday, May 4th. She will help me staff our booth at the MFDA Convention, so that alumni and Program supporters will have the opportunity to meet her. Molly will work alongside Kathy for five weeks, at the end of which time Kathy will retire (June 5th). It is likely you will see Molly here in our office before May 4th, as she begins her transition from another department to our Program. Please take a moment to introduce yourself to her, and welcome her to mortuary science.

Attached is a photo of Kathy and Molly. Indeed, "a torch is passed." At this time of transition, I would ask that we all do our best to support both Kathy and Molly in the work they will be doing for our Program.

Sincerely,

Michael LuBrant
Director