Trudy Dirks

Trudy Dirks worked in the student academic services unit in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (formerly Sciences and Humanities) from 1975 until she took early retirement in 1996. Trudy's primary responsibilities included management of the College's student records and scheduling area. She was "the voice and the fact" for the College to literally thousands of Iowa State Students and their families. Her success in this area is regularly exhibited by the students who continue to stop by when they are back in Ames or who send cards and notes about their activities new families and current personal accomplishments. They knew that Trudy always cared and they won't forget. Colleagues always mention when discussing Trudy's contributions her acute patience and friendliness. She was consistently calm under fire. She never raised her voice even when orientation families tried to blame her for 4 p.m. algebra/trigonometry sections! Her dedication to girls' softball during orientation is legendary as are her Friday date for pizza with Kermit and her "never mind" response. She was always ready for a joke and remembered most of them for later retelling.

Trudy's contributions to the College span a wide range of activities. She worked out schedule problems for thousands of students called departments hundreds of times about space needs processed the mountains of paperwork to change course offerings represented the College at classification committee meetings coordinated the College's United Way campaign managed orientation scheduling for several years and participated on many office committees and teams. She was always willing to let someone take credit for her idea; she was focused upon doing the right thing for the students the College and the University.

Outside the office Trudy enjoyed church and family activities, travel, being a grandparent and Friday after-work date night. Trudy's retirement will be filled with fun; she may even find time to coach a softball team. We hope she will stop by to say hello on the last day to drop classes; the last day of orientation and other memorable student academic services dates. She is welcome every day! She cannot be replaced but we will all have the opportunity to remember her as a member of our Plaza of Heroines.