Ruth Retires Laura Begins
After fourteen years of dedicated service to the Department , and thirty years of service at the University , our Business Manager , Ruth Hyde , retired on November 17th . During her time with us , she managed one of the most complex units in the University . Ruth was always the calm epicenter in all of our activities , and handled her heavy workload with courtesy and professionalism , never failing to recognize and convey that our human resources are the most important assets in our unit .
Ruth served the department with distinction and was a valued member of the leadership team for seven , yes seven , Department Chairs , which has to be a record . She directed the administrative operations of the department with a high level of skill and efficiency , implementing many improvements that will have long-time positive impact on Chemistry operations .
We wish a warm welcome to Laura Yurco , MBA , as the Department ’ s new Associate Chair for Business Administration . Laura is an accomplished business professional with over thirteen years of University and academic accounting experience . She comes to the Department from the College of Arts & Sciences , where she was the Senior Director of Budget Management . She has also held various accounting and management roles within central offices and departments , including Budget Analyst in the College , Accounting Manager for the Department of Psychology , the Department of Otolaryngology , and as an Accounting Technician in the School of Public Health Dean ’ s Office .
“ The stability in the departmental administration and staff is especially noteworthy and is a great testament to the environment Ruth helped foster ,” says current Chair , Professor Jeff Johnson . He continues , “ she was a tireless advocate for staff behind the scenes ; all of us in the Chair ’ s position have appreciated her counsel , and we will miss her expertise in navigating many byzantine University policies .”
Laura has formed many strong relationships with Managers , Faculty , and Central Campus constituents from her time in the College and within departments ; her experience and skills will be very beneficial for our Department . She has also managed a wide range of fund types including state , facilities and administration , contract and grants , clinical , discretionary trusts , endowments , and expendable funds . Laura also brings experience in the management of contracts and grants from pre to post-award , for a variety of federal and private agencies .
Laura is a highly motivated and successful individual , and we look forward to working with her as we build on past successes and continue to implement the Department ’ s strategic plan .
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