Meet Irene Janos, administrative assistant at the Office of Alumni and Constituency Engagement.
Janos has been a staff member at Lawrence since 1973 – a little over 37 years. When she began her career here, Janos was mainly responsible for grant writing as a secretary in Sampson House. Since then, she has made the move from Sampson House to Sage Cottage – now the International House – and then to Landis Peabody.
In 1998, Janos transitioned to the alumni office, located near the Conservatory West offices. Today, she remains an integral part of the alumni offices, which is now located in the Landis Peabody building.
Janos plays a crucial and extensive role in the Office of Alumni and Constituency Engagement as an administrative assistant. She is the office’s principal receptionist, and contributes to the class secretary program through data entry, class letters and class newsletters.
Janos also helps to coordinate alumni reunions for Milwaukee-Downer college alums and is currently working to organize the June 2011 Lawrence reunion through mailings and data entry.
Janos’ additional responsibilities include organizing Welcome Week, coordinating monthly luncheons and assisting Linda Fuerst with the annual senior dinner. Furthermore, Janos helps to set up the annual Blue and White Dinner for Fall Festival every October, and works alongside staff in the alumni office to put on the Viking Bench Golf Outing event in the spring.
As a secretary who has been at Lawrence for a number of years, Janos has been able to witness the changes that have taken place on campus.
“In my years of being here,” states Janos, “I have seen the development of the Wriston Art Center and the Buchannan Kiewit center. There was also an expansion of the library. I was also on board when we renovated Alexander Gym and built Hiett Hall.”
“There was a smaller scale of operation when I started compared to what we have now in annual giving,” said Janos. During her time at Lawrence, Janos has been here for the Lawrence Leadership Fund during the 1970s, the Lawrence Ahead campaign for the ’80s, Lawrence 150 throughout the mid-’90s and today’s More Light campaign, which will conclude Oct. 2011.
“This has been my whole working environment,” said Janos. “It really is a big part of my life. People I’ve met over the course of my employment, I’ve enjoyed. I have formulated many friendships among the faculty and staff.”
Outside of working at Lawrence, Janos loves to relax by reading books. Some of her favorite things to do also include going on walks, playing golf and swimming. She is also keen on taking road trips with her husband during the summer.
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