Women’s Center/Re-entry Center director to retire
On April 14, Patricia Stevens, director of the Women’s and Re-entry Centers, publicly announced her pending retirement during the Women’s Center’s Spring Awards Event.
Susan Crosbie, one of Steven’s assistants in the Women’s and Re-entry Centers, said working with Stevens has been hectic because the centers are always busy, but Stevens has been a lot of fun, too.
“She’ll be greatly missed. She’s done a lot to promote women’s issues in the community and on campus,” Crosbie said.
Stevens said she would characterize her time as director as satisfying and humbling.
“When I took the job, I decided the only way they were going to get me out of here was with me kicking and screaming, feet first. Leaving the center is very sad for me and very difficult. … One moment I’m really excited about the change and the next I’m tearing up, but I will keep my finger in the center as much as I can,” she said.
Having served as director since 2006, Stevens steps down for a greater cause. Her husband, John Peregoy, suffers from a degenerative spine disease that has no cure. Eventually it will extremely limit his future mobility.
“I think it’s more important for me to be with John while he’s mobile. We are going to go while we still can go,” she said.
Stevens and Peregoy plan to make a wide loop through and around the United States with their trailer to visit friends, family and children.
A new director has not yet been announced. Stevens said they are looking for someone to continue to help the Women’s Center blossom as it did under the direction of Janet Osborne, originator of the Women’s Center, for 27 years and as it has continued to do so.
–jennifer.whiteley@aggiemail.usu.edu