KEYLA VASCONCELLOS
Staff Writer
Many students say that when you come to Pepperdine University, it is a very hard to leave. That is a true for Stephanie Stacy, office manager of the Natural Science Division.
Stacy was born in Burbank, Calif., but grew up in Westlake Village. She is the oldest of three, with two younger brothers. She is still close with her family and manages to see them most weekends in Conejo Valley.
She grew up wanting to be a teacher or an artist and always liked the idea of working in education. She graduated from Pepperdine in 1986 with a degree in humanities. When asked what she liked to do for fun while at Pepperdine, Stacy had a quick answer: “My friends and I loved going to basketball games, dancing and to the movies.”
Stacy also played the cello in the University Orchestra. If she could accomplish one thing, it would be to start playing the cello again.
As office manager, Stacy is very active throughout the day. “My day to day consists of making sure that students and faculty have what they need to go about the business of teaching and learning,” she said. “The Natural Science Division is a busy place.”
Dr. Laurie Nelson, who works closely with her in her role as pre-health professions advisor said that Stacy does a very good job for the division faculty. “In addition to her other duties as the office manager, she is in charge of receiving and sending all of the letters of recommendation for all of our pre-health students,” Nelson said. “This is a big job that puts her in constant contact with about 30 to 40 applicants every year. I really enjoy working with her.”
Also, Stacy works as a teaching assistant with Professor Sonia Sorrell in the first Western Heritage course. Stacy says it gives her another perspective on the classroom experience. “Grading papers is tough,” Stacy said.
Dr. Douglas Swartzendruber, former chairman of Natural Science said, “When Stephanie joined the Natural Science Division, she already had considerable experience at Pepperdine as a student and as an employee working in the Library. With this background, she quickly learned the ins and outs of how an academic unit functions.”
Swartzendruber calls Stacy a “highly competent office manager and an asset to the division and everyone appreciates her and the work she does for the University.”
The first three words that many in the division use to describe Stacy are helpful, creative and caring. Dr. Michael Feltner, chair of the division, couldn’t agree more.
“Stacy is exceptional and very caring,” Feltner said. “She is highly professional and makes the office function.”
Outside of work, Stacy enjoys a variety of activities. She lives in Newbury Park and enjoys hiking. Stacy and her boyfriend participate in many different kinds of automotive events including car shows. She enjoys reading a good book and plays in a couple of hand bell choirs.
Her favorite place to go is out to dinner at small neighborhood restaurants and Stacy’s favorite hobby is bird watching. When she travels, she loves to go to Paris, France, her favorite city.
Stacy says that students learn a lot in college, but she believes some of the most important lessons may not be obvious. “College teaches you about finishing things you start,” she said. “It also makes you aware that answers to some questions aren’t always immediately apparent. You have to work to figure out the answers.”
Stacy is one of Pepperdine’s biggest fans. “The opportunities I’ve had and the relationships I’ve established while I’ve been here have been incredible.”
05-18-2007