AE Says 'Happy Retirement' to Kirts

4/2/2013 Written by Susan Mumm

AE at Illinois wishes hearty congratulations to Undergraduate Student Coordinator Barb Kirts on her retirement from the University of Illinois!

Written by Written by Susan Mumm

Barb Kirts with her family during her retirement party.
Barb Kirts with her family during her retirement party.
Barb Kirts with her family during her retirement party.
AE at Illinois wishes hearty congratulations to Undergraduate Student Coordinator Barb Kirts on her retirement from the University of Illinois!

Kirts worked 35 years and 8 months for the university, starting in 1976 in the Admissions and Records Office, then moving to the former Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (TAM) Department in the College of Engineering in 1977, and finally to AE in 2006.

 

“I started out in (TAM) in the typing pool, typing thesis and papers for grad students and faculty member on manual type writers,” Kirts said. The machines required users to change keys when typing symbols. “We did two or three carbon copies, so when you had to correct something it took a lot.”

 

Kirts worked for 12 department heads throughout her time in the College of Engineering, with duties including serving as department head secretary, carrying out administrative activities such as course scheduling, making appointments and supervising other secretaries, and, finally working with students. Kirts worked with both graduate and undergraduate students in TAM. She served as Undergraduate Student Coordinator in AE, having helped about 1,100 students in her six years in the department.

She was recognized for her good work. In 2000 Kirts was honored with the campus’ Robert B. Larsen Human Development Award for her contributions to the enhancement of Students Development. In 2009, she received the Aerospace Engineering Outstanding Staff Award.

Kirts looks forward to spending more time babysitting her new grandson, but those at AE expect to see her visit quite often! (See photos of Kirts’ retirement celebration at Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois on Facebook!)


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This story was published April 2, 2013.