by Pamela Batson
After 39 years of service, Judy Leonard, administrative assistant coordinator for Educational Policy Studies (EPS), retired on June 30, 2009.
Leonard started her career at Penn State in 1970 as a wage payroll staff assistant in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. A year later she moved to the College of Education. In 1976, she joined the Educational Theory and Policy (now EPS) graduate program as a staff assistant. In 1984, Leonard became the administrative assistant coordinator for the EPS department. She remained in this role, serving under six department heads, until her retirement in June. Although, she can still be seen in the halls of Rackley right now as she is covering for a staff member who is on maternity leave.
An active member of the Penn State community, Leonard served on numerous committees. Most recently she was a member of the University Staff Advisory Committee and the College Staff Advisory Committee. In 2008, she was invited by the Provost’s Office to serve as a panelist for a University promotion and tenure workshop. She also participated in a strategic planning group, the College Improving Operations Study Team and a University focus group on Employee Perceptions of Fair Supervisory & Management Policies/Practices.
Leonard was honored in 1999 by the College of Education with the College Excellence Award and again in 2006 with the College Staff Leadership Award.
Leonard lives in Boalsburg with her husband Chuck. They have one daughter, Becky, and three grandchildren—Cody, Brittany and Linsey. Her retirement plans include reading, working in the yard, and hopefully taking up golf again!
