2008 Woodie Awards
Miami, Oxford to recognize former employee's death
Katie Henry
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Campus
Miami University and the Oxford community will honor longtime employee and beloved friend Suzanne "Sue" Holmes Summers Saturday. Summers passed away March 21 at the age of 64.
Summers earned her bachelor's degree in English education from Miami in 1966. She taught English at North Olmsted Junior High and Fairview Park High School in Cleveland before receiving her master's degree from Miami in 1971.
Summers first worked at the university in student affairs from 1970-79. Six of those years she spent as director of first-year programs.
"She was a powerful, moral center of the university," said Vice President of Student Affairs Richard Nault. "She was a person who thought in wonderful ways about how we could be a caring community. She was everyone's friend on this campus."
Summers then worked for the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland but returned to the university as director of personnel in 1981. She later became an administrator in the Miami's department of finance and business services and retired from the university in 1998.
Throughout the years, Summers served the Oxford and university communities in various ways. Those who knew her, such as her longtime friend and former Miami co-worker Pat Baugher, said she was a woman who touched many lives through her work with organizations on and off campus and through her compassionate, energetic spirit.
Laughter was very much a part of Summers' life. According to Baugher she had a great sense of humor and possessed the unique ability to use her humor to relieve tension in any situation.
"What was most important was who she was as a human being," Baugher said. "She was extraordinarily bright and funny, but her humor was never at anyone's expense."
Former co-worker and Director of the Women's Center Jane Goettsch, emphasized how deeply Summers cared about the well-being of others. Goettsch said she had a kind heart and it showed through her respect toward those around her.
Summers earned her bachelor's degree in English education from Miami in 1966. She taught English at North Olmsted Junior High and Fairview Park High School in Cleveland before receiving her master's degree from Miami in 1971.
Summers first worked at the university in student affairs from 1970-79. Six of those years she spent as director of first-year programs.
"She was a powerful, moral center of the university," said Vice President of Student Affairs Richard Nault. "She was a person who thought in wonderful ways about how we could be a caring community. She was everyone's friend on this campus."
Summers then worked for the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland but returned to the university as director of personnel in 1981. She later became an administrator in the Miami's department of finance and business services and retired from the university in 1998.
Throughout the years, Summers served the Oxford and university communities in various ways. Those who knew her, such as her longtime friend and former Miami co-worker Pat Baugher, said she was a woman who touched many lives through her work with organizations on and off campus and through her compassionate, energetic spirit.
Laughter was very much a part of Summers' life. According to Baugher she had a great sense of humor and possessed the unique ability to use her humor to relieve tension in any situation.
"What was most important was who she was as a human being," Baugher said. "She was extraordinarily bright and funny, but her humor was never at anyone's expense."
Former co-worker and Director of the Women's Center Jane Goettsch, emphasized how deeply Summers cared about the well-being of others. Goettsch said she had a kind heart and it showed through her respect toward those around her.
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