EMO
Director Staying Put This Time
After
21 years of moving around campus, packing up and changing
offices every year and a half on average, Peg Pitzer, director
of events management in the Office of College Relations,
thinks she’s
finally landed in the place she’ll remain for the rest of
her Smith career.
 Her office, located on the second
floor of 51 College Lane, the annex (formerly known as the
Little House) to the Smith College Conference Center (formerly
the Smith College Club) has its benefits. Natural light streams
in most the day, and it’s located conveniently near the center
of campus. Her view from the window looks out on trees lining
the Mill River and spreads across the athletic fields, where
cheers and sports whoops often provide background accompaniment.
“Fifty-one College Lane has allowed me to feel connected to why we’re here,” says
Pitzer, noting the daily exposure to students and activity around her office.
Still, having occupied 13 offices
(likely the unofficial record holder for the most Smith spaces)
has had its advantages, Pitzer notes. It’s difficult for her
to attend a meeting or walk across campus for lunch without encountering someone
with whom she has worked alongside.
“There’s still a dotted line to each of the departments and the people in those
offices that I’ve worked with over the years,” she says.
Pitzer came to Smith
in 1989 as director of the Alumnae House, continuing an early
career in customer service. Prior to Smith, she spent time
in local restaurant management and helped open the popular
downtown eatery Eastside Grill. She moved offices six times
within the Alumnae House before transferring to College Relations
in Garrison Hall, then to Advancement in 76 Elm St., where
she occupied three different offices, back to the Alumnae
Association and then a return to Advancement. Pitzer returned
to College Relations as director of special events, then
moved into 30 Belmont St. as the first director of the new
Events Management Office in 2005, and occupied two spaces
there. Last summer, the Events Management Office moved to
51 College Lane.
“Each position I’ve held has been a natural segue to the next, leading to where
I am now,” she says. “And each office relocation has made sense along the way.”
She admits there are occasional
mornings, after so many office moves, that she passes by
the parking lot she currently uses and instinctively heads
for one nearer her prior offices at 30 Belmont. And she’s heard her share of joking suggestions
that she should have her office in a trailer that she could simply roll from
place to place on campus when necessary.
But looking back on her campus
experiences, Pitzer says she recalls all her offices fondly,
and prizes the many friendships she has forged because of
her frequent moves.
“I’ve had the opportunity to know so many people at Smith,” she says. “I would
recommend moving around campus because of the relationships you build.” |
