Tinkham retires

By Tom Withenbury

For those who have been unfortunate enough to be subjected to my one-hour print media workshop, you have heard me pontificate endlessly my abhorrence to writing news stories in the first person. But in the true spirit of my mother who counseled her children repeatedly to, “Do as I say and not as I do,” I offer the following highly-opinionated, first person tribute to one of Monmouth College’s dearest employees.

We have all learned recently that Carolyn Tinkham, support staff to the Student Affairs office, has announced her retirement--effective almost immediately. Any minute she will be leaving with her husband to move to South Carolina to be close to her family.

Ms. Tink joined the college along about the turn of the century (and I’m not referring to the 21st Century) as a secretary in the Student Center office. In fact, it was nearly 24 years ago next month.

From there, she manned single-handedly the college’s “Trouble Desk” where for years she graciously fielded calls that ranged anywhere from leaky toilets and blown fuses to the personal whims and wishes of some 200 faculty and staff, not to mention thousands of students.

I still remember her response to my frantic call during the great Student Center flood of 1987, or was it the flood of 1988, or maybe it was one of the floods in 1990, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2004 or 2005. I came into my office to find furniture floating down the hallway and immediately called the Trouble Lady for assistance. In her inimitable fashion she asked me if I had money in my budget for a canoe.

I’ve been in her office when folks would call with their tirades about this or that which was wrong with their lives, and she somehow always managed a kind and sympathetic response. Then, of course, she would direct with the aplomb of a symphony conductor the various maintenance folks to respond to the complaint.

From the trouble desk she moved to serve as secretary to the Student Affairs Office where she continued her unending graciousness and compassion to literally thousands of students over the years. To the folks I’ve talked with recently, the one recurring theme that seems to emerge is that Tink has the ability to sense when compassion is needed, when confidentiality is crucial, and when pure kindness is the only solution.

Or, as Jackie Condon, vice president for student affairs and dean of students says, “For 23 years she has always gone beyond the call of duty. On a personal level, I regard her as a dear friend and I know I speak for all of us as we wish her well as she and her husband join family in South Carolina. She has been a valuable asset to Student Affairs and we will miss her greatly.”

I know I could thumb through the “Redbook” and pick any telephone number on campus and I would hear only good things about Carolyn Tinkham. In lieu of that, however, I say only, “Thanks, Tink. We all wish you well.”

There will be a reception for Carolyn on Monday, Nov. 14 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Morgan Room. Please stop by and wish Carolyn well.