Thanks for the memories, Cheri

Every year, a bunch of people, good hard working people, retire from Minnesota State University. Most of them are worthy of note in some way. Today, I share with you news of one such retirement.

Cheri Bowyer has been the office manager of the Student Senate ever since I was a student there (I know, forever, right?) And over the years, as that office has seen hundreds of ambitious, world-changing students come and go, there has been one constant, calm, adult presence that keeps everything grounded.

Back when I was editor of the student newspaper, The Reporter, she had just gotten hired at the senate. It was my old friend Randy Wanke who hired her (truth be told, it was Randy to clued me in to Cheri's retirement ... thanks, Randy.) The following year, Randy was gone but I remained editor. A new president came in, a guy named Kris Hammes. For various reasons, Kris' student senate and my student newspaper didn't get along all that well. And I remember Cheri, with her amazing smile, being the diplomatic one, calming things down, helping cooler heads prevail.

She epitomizes class and grace. She's kind beyond measure. And although many in the community may be more familiar with the athletic exploits of her husband, the famous baseball coach Dean Bowyer, I can assure you Cheri is the brains of the operation.

Farewell, Cheri. You should be very proud of the work you've done and the lives you've touched. Well done.