Ray, Sweezey honored by staff

President Elizabeth Davis honors Emily Sweezey (left) and Linda Ray (right) during an April 17 ceremony.

Ray, an administrative assistant in Modern Languages and Literatures, has worked at Furman for 35 years and will retire this spring. Those nominating Ray praised her attention to detail and skills as a long-range planner. But they said it is her enduring devotion to students that sets her apart.

“Her real talent and her real passion has been her work with students,” said one colleague. “Everyone who enters our door – and there are many each day – are greeted with her smile, her easy conversational approach, her unpretentious grace, and her inimitable sense of humor.”

Sweezey has worked at the University for eight years. Before joining the Music Department as administrative assistant she served in the same role for the Art Department. Those authoring nominating letters consistently praised Sweezey for her quiet competence and good nature.

“She is punctual, loyal beyond measure to the institution and the department, reliable, trustworthy and confidential,” wrote one of her colleagues. “Her work is always done in a timely manner, most often ahead of schedule, and is incredibly accurate. This amazes all of us because we are a very large department with many programs, events and activities.”

Ray and Sweezey were selected by members of the Staff Advisory Committee.