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September 2002 STAR of the Month
 

Karon Menicucci

Karon Menicucci's 30 years at SFSU have been filled with changes. Students and faculty come and go, and constant innovations in technology have allowed her to learn new skills.

Menicucci has been a continual presence in the College of Science and Engineering, starting out in the Biology Department and moving onto the Physics and Astronomy Department, where for the last 10 years she's tackled the job as administrative analyst/specialist. Menicucci is the September STAR of the Month.

"I'm basically the sole contact for the department," she said from behind her desk on the third floor of Thornton Hall, where she deals with everything from scheduling and budgeting to technical support for the department's office equipment.

On a recent Friday afternoon, students and faculty walked in and out of her office looking for help finding mailboxes, getting keys to unlock classrooms, and locating professors lecturing throughout the building. Menicucci knew all the answers.

"An old boss used to say, 'Karon, you put out a lot of fires.' That's pretty much my job," she said.

James Lockhart, chair of the Physics and Astronomy Department and Menicucci's boss for the past two years, called her "the absolute ideal model of perfection" in an academic office coordinator.

"I couldn't imagine how we'd get along without her," he added. "She goes out of her way to help everyone, far beyond the call of duty."

Lockhart said Menicucci's dedication has included late nights and working the occasional weekend.

"She keeps the whole operation running," he said. "She manages schedules, budgets, personnel appointments, graders, student assistants, supplies, purchase orders and more. She advises and counsels students on every sort of problem they might be having, welcomes and advises new faculty and graduate teaching associates, and attends to a huge variety of faculty needs. She combines intelligence, ability, excellent judgment, tact, patience and dedication to do an absolutely wonderful job."

Menicucci, whose background is in business, began her career in Los Angeles, working in an attorney's office.

An avid traveler and outdoors enthusiast, Menicucci named Yosemite and Lake Shasta as her favorite camping spots. Postcards from several of her recent vacations line the bulletin board next to her desk. She and her husband, Arthur, recently returned from a voyage aboard the Queen Elizabeth II and a few days vacation in England. Next year the Daly City residents hope to return to Italy, one of their favorite destinations.

Please join us in congratulating Karon and thank her for making such a difference.

As the STAR of the Month, Menicucci will enjoy four free lunches on campus, a free parking pass or equivalent in one month's public transportation costs, and more. She will also be eligible for the STAR of the Year award.


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Last modified September 13, 2002, by the Office of Public Affairs