As a child, Florence Jandreau remembers peeking through the woods and trees to see the new university in town. At the time, she could have never imagined the impact USF would have on her life or that she would one day retire as the university鈥檚 longest-serving non-faculty staff member.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really just incredible to think back on my career and remember all of the milestones and changes I鈥檝e seen here,鈥� Jandreau said. 鈥淯SF has certainly become a big part of my life and I will forever be grateful to all the directors, deans and fellow staff members that have made these years so wonderful.鈥�
Jandreau retires July 22 after more than 50 years of service to USF. Her career began in 1971, when she was just 17 years old, working part time in the Registrar鈥檚 Office. In those days, USF鈥檚 first president, John Allen, was approaching the end of his tenure and the school鈥檚 mascot was still in its original form, the Golden Brahman. The university, and its surrounding areas, looked quite different as well. In fact, Jandreau remembers portions of Fowler Avenue that were still unpaved at the time.
After graduating from high school, Jandreau got her first full-time opportunity as a 鈥淐lerk 1鈥� in the USF Tampa campus library, which, back then, was housed in what is now the Student Services Building (SVC). It鈥檚 in the library that Jandreau would end up finding a whole new world of possibilities.
鈥淚 had always considered myself to be a bit of a country girl,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut when I came to USF and started working in the library, I was able to meet and work with so many different faculty members that I really was exposed to all kinds of research and ideas. I鈥檝e always felt like I was getting my second level of education just by being around all of it.鈥�
Over the years, Jandreau would end up working in a variety of departments, including InterLibrary Loan and Circulation Reserve, but always remained committed to . She remembers the big move to the current Tampa campus library and was a charter member and former president of the USF chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. She鈥檚 worked under six USF presidents and has watched the university transform into the national research powerhouse it is today. Eventually, Jandreau would work her way up to the library鈥檚 administrative unit. Today, she serves as the senior assistant to the dean, providing critical support to nearly every aspect of library operations, and accomplishing one of her longheld goals.
鈥淔lorence has inspired many of us to be better people and better Bulls,鈥� said USF Libraries Dean Todd Chavez. 鈥淗er optimism and commitment to USF have made a difference for all of us and the impact of her work will always remain. She has been a friend and valued colleague for my entire time at USF and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with her. We will miss her greatly.鈥�
Retirement is bittersweet, Jandreau says. While she鈥檚 looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, volunteering at local animal shelters and cheering on her Tampa Bay Lightning, she says she鈥檚 going to dearly miss the people and relationships she鈥檚 built at USF.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been the people that have kept me here for so many years and have made it so hard to retire. It鈥檚 truly been a great ride,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I can鈥檛 wait to see all the things this incredible university accomplishes next.鈥�