Name:  Joan Hert         Position:  Assistant Director, Special Events Hometown:  St. Louis, Oklahoma Where were you employed before joining the OSUF?  At the OSU Sigma Nu fraternity house while I was a full time student at OSU working on my undergraduate degree. I graduated in December 1993 and started working at the OSU Foundation in May 1994. Why did you choose to join the Foundation? The work interested me as I had been a housewife for 26 years and other than working part-time when I started college the first time and a couple full-time jobs after marriage, the only other “jobs” I did were mostly volunteer or community work through church or school.  The OSU Foundation seemed a good fit for someone who was used to working with people.  My Sigma Nu house mom job had provided me experiences working with college students and that seemed a good fit with the Foundation especially since that was the part OSUF liked best about me - I wasn’t afraid of working with college kids!

What does your typical day look like? 
My work days vary to the extreme. I may be in Bartlesville for an evening event or be setting up tables at the Foundation for a day event.  Some days I meet with caterers, buy paper goods, talk to vendors, meet with florists; anything to get an event planned.  So every day is different and that is what makes my job so enjoyable and fun.  When people ask me what I do for the OSU Foundation, I say, “plan a party!” Everyday is pretty different.

What are some of the joys and challenges you face in your position? 
Joys – working with different types of people on and off campus and meeting new people while fitting the right event to the right location and menu.  Being creative is a joy and sometimes can be a challenge. 

Challenges – when the right location is unavailable or working long distance and not knowing how the event will turn out because everything was done over the phone, or when a caterer does not show up.  Just kidding; that has never happened!  I do have nightmares about it and my plan is to always run across the street to McDonalds for happy meals.  After all, we are all just kids at heart!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?  Going to OSU sporting events, cooking, watching movies (rented or in the theater) playing with my dogs (two labs), going on trips with my husband and having my grandchildren spend the weekend.

What do you recommend visitors or newcomers do in Stillwater?  I moved here from Oklahoma City and at first it was a change, but my mission was to finish my degree, so the first thing I did was enroll at OSU and buy a season football ticket.  I was always meeting new parents and new students in my job at the Sigma Nu house and being in school kept me busy the first two years.  By the time I graduated and was hired by the OSU Foundation, I bought another season ticket to men’s basketball and wrestling.  Those events kept me involved in the OSU community.  I would also recommend joining a church and any other community projects or services that interest you.  Stillwater and the surrounding towns offer a lot for the antique shopper and plenty of parks for jogging and cycling. 

What’s the best part about living in Stillwater? Being able to get around town is a plus compared to the larger cities.  I love shopping in Stillwater, but the best is building relationships with the town’s people.  Planning events at the OSU Foundation I find myself needing help in a lot of areas, and Stillwater businesses are all about helping you out.  I just have to ask.  The shop owners are the greatest.  For example: when I first came to Stillwater and needed to make coffee at the Sigma Nu house for a meeting on a Sunday morning, I realized the only coffee pot was locked in the kitchen and the manager of the house was gone with the keys.  So, I went to the friendly Consumers IGA store (that was before a supercenter was in town) and asked if I could borrow their coffee pot in their break room for a couple of hours. I explained why and they let me borrow it.  What a town! I knew then we were a fit.

What projects/campaigns/etc are you most excited about in the coming year? Our board of governors meetings, staff retreat, staff picnic, trustee meetings, and our scholarship dinners.  Every fall I look forward to hosting our donors in the suites and clubs during football season  I’m also excited about working on the 2009 Big 12 Development Conference we are hosting in Oklahoma City and a potential OSU campaign. 

What’s the number one reason you would recommend joining the OSU Foundation?  The work environment is very friendly, and our benefits are a great plus along with our yearly bonus and vacation time.  I guess the number one reason for me is the benefits and I really appreciate our building with plenty of parking space. 

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