Roxanne Merle Retires After 40 Years at ISU

Roxanne came to ISU in 1983 as a Numerical Record Clerk for the Pond Student Union (PSUB) Business Office.  She spent twelve years in a few different capacities in the Business Office with ever-increasing responsibilities, eventually working her way up to Office Manager.  Roxanne remembers fondly the many friends and colleagues she worked with during her tenure in the Business Office. One particular comical memory stands out for Roxanne from this time period. She was working at the Information Desk in the PSUB and ISU’s newly appointed president Richard Bowen happened by to request something and Roxanne proceeded to quiz him about who he was before she would grant his request, and he was a bit put out and asked her “Don’t you know who I am?”  Of course, she was embarrassed once she found out who he was and her supervisor Greg Anderson helped with some reparations to President Bowen.

The next stop in Roxanne’s ISU journey was an Administrative Assistant I position in the Scholarship Office in 1995, and she returned to school to finish a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management in 1997 while working full-time.  Roxanne served in this role for 10 years, assisting in all facets of scholarship processing and awarding, and helped to coordinate the annual High Honors Brunch at commencement time each May.  Lori Johnson, former director of scholarships (now retired), shared that Roxanne “was so patient and kind. And the best sense of humor around. She was a great worker and made it very fun to work in the scholarship office.”

In 2005, Roxanne moved to the Financial Aid Office, and has served in this position for the past 18 years.  As a financial aid counselor, Roxanne has helped countless numbers of students find ways to afford their education.  Roxanne has attained a wealth of knowledge related to the complicated world of federal financial aid.  She also is the party planner in the office, planning monthly birthday parties and treat days, and annual Holiday parties and Administrative Professional luncheons.  According to James Martin, director of financial aid, “Roxy has been an outstanding employee. Her knowledge, skills and attitude will be hard to replace.  She's great with students, and is our unofficial ‘director of fun’ in the office.  Roxanne has been a pleasure to supervise, always shows up with a positive attitude, and truly cares about the students and her fellow employees. She will be missed."

For many years off and on since 1988, Roxanne also worked part-time in ticket sales at Holt Arena and Reed Gym for various concerts and sporting events, in addition to her full-time, day-time work elsewhere on campus.

Roxanne looks forward to spending more time with her husband Bob and daughter Amanda. She plans to travel, catch up on home projects, and go camping as much as possible.

Roxanne has touched many lives in her 40-year tenure at ISU. To show our gratitude, a retirement reception will be held on Tuesday, November 14th, in the PSUB Bengal Café from 2:30pm to 4pm. Light refreshments will be served and a presentation will be made at 3pm. Please join us in wishing Roxanne a much-deserved, long and happy retirement.