Except for public schoolteachers and farmers, it is the rare individual who spends her whole working life at the same organization. Rarer still for one to remain at the same institution for 45 years. So at a recent annual President's Dinner at Bluffton University, there was true cause for celebration.

There were the usual 5-10-15-20-25-30 year honors, but only one employee had reached 45 years. Ironically, she is the only person on campus who knew what previous employees had been there for more than 45 years. As she walked to the podium, President Jim Harder made the comment that she is the person he always calls to answer questions about the university that no one else can answer. Not even the history books can top her.

Sue Hardwick began working at Bluffton University soon after her graduation from business school. She's moved from department to department, serving several academic deans and presidents. Over the years, she's seen the movement from manual to electric typewriters, dial phones to the current (complicated) phone system, to today's computer system. Through it all, she's cheerfully learned the new skills that accompany each advancement in technology.

But watch her take notes. I guarantee you won't be able to read them.

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