University of Evansville Magazine - Fall 2008 - (Page 9)

CYNTHIA SIMMONS ’82 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? After all, you can’t go out on the corner and smile and say ‘Hi, I’m Shirley Robuck’ and make friends that way.” “Finally I just [went] down to the senior center to see what they had to offer. It was the best day of my life when I did that.” What she found was not only a line dancing class to join, but also a way she and her dance partners could offer something back. “There are some very elderly people there and we entertain them with our dancing. They just clap and tell us how good we are. Some have Alzheimer’s and they say it every time, but they’re so sweet!” Despite her full dance card, she has also found time to travel a bit. Recently Shirley – who has long been fascinated with Southern history and culture – took a longdreamed-of trip to Savannah, Georgia, and nearby islands. She enjoyed it but was disappointed with one thing. “It was beautiful,” she said, “but the moss on the trees – I was allergic! I never expected that.” In reminiscing about Evansville, she said, “I like my life down here but I do miss the University. It was really a lot more like ‘home’ than just a place to work. The best part of my job was that I got to deal Shirley Robuck Shirley Robuck is dancing her way through retirement. For 25 years, she was a welcoming face behind a desk at the University of Evansville – first as a telephone operator, then as secretary for academic affairs, and finally as facilities reservations secretary in University relations. Now you can find Shirley on a dance floor in Huntsville, Alabama. Besides taking line dancing classes several times a week, she participates in couples style western dancing, waltzing, and swing – and of course, “just regular” dancing. Next, she said, “I want to take ballroom dance classes.” Shirley has always enjoyed learning new things and keeping active. In fact, it was while working at UE that she first began line dancing for exercise and fun. She took a class at the Student Fitness Center on her lunch hour. “Instead of eating, I danced!” But it was really after she moved to Alabama, to be near her daughter and sonin-law and granddaughter, that her interest in dancing took on new importance. While her relocation put her nearer to her family, she left all her friends behind. “I got so bored. I couldn’t meet anyone. with the students. They would come in to talk, not just to reserve rooms. I enjoyed other parts of my job, but the students really made me happy. They were all so polite and had such good manners, and they were all different in their own way.” Shirley would love to hear from you. You can reach her by e-mail at srobuck@knology.net. I Don’t Miss UE’s First Greek Reunion! It will be a great way to reunite and connect with fraternity brothers and sorority sisters! Outside the new William L. Ridgway University Center there will be a Greek Garden – a beautiful new spot on campus for students, faculty and staff members, alumni, and passersby to enjoy. You have the unique opportunity to make a gift toward this special project. Any gift of $250 or more will buy a personalized brick to be displayed outside the new center for years to come. If you are interested in serving on a committee for your fraternity or sorority, call or e-mail Emily Sights ’07 at 812-488-2440 or uegreekreunion@evansville.edu. We hope to see you there! SAVE THE DATE • APRIL 17 - 19, 2009 w w w. e v a n s v i l l e . e d u For more information about the Greek reunion, go to www.evansville.edu/alumni/greekreunion.asp. 9 http://www.evansville.edu/alumni/greekreunion.asp http://www.evansville.edu

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University of Evansville Magazine - Fall 2008 Table of Contents Campus Connections Election Connections Where Are They Now? Stanley Says Aces A Program to Bank On Campaign Connections New Connections Alumni Connections

University of Evansville Magazine - Fall 2008

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