Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

The O'Grady Library is sad to see the departure of technology coordinator, Erik Gregory.  An SMU alum, Gregory has worked in the library for much of the past 12 years.  He is leaving his position to become a stay-at-home dad for his two daughters (number two is due within the month).

Erik Gregory poses with his fairy-princess daughter on Halloween 2014

He worked in the library from September 2003 to 2009 while working on his English degree.  He worked at the reference desk, the circulation desk, in the cataloging department, and eventually as evening supervisor.  He returned to SMU in March 2013 to resume as evening supervisor and then became the technology coordinator that summer.

Gregory said working in the library has been a good experience.  He claimed working with the people in the library has been his favorite aspect of his years of service, especially interacting with his co-workers.  "It's easy to work with people you like and respect," he observed.  He found deep satisfaction in supervising student workers, watching them grow and develop.  He said he will also miss working with foreign exchange students, helping them find materials and answering their questions.

Jackie Nordquist, Stefanie Gorzelsky, Gregory, and Serin Anderson chat during his farewell party

Though Gregory will be missed by all of the staff at the O'Grady Library, Jackie Nordquist, who worked under him when she was an undergraduate and is now a library associate, will especially miss working with him.  "Erik's quick wit and humor has always made O'Grady a fun and comfortable place to work.  His presence will be greatly missed and the library will not be the same," she said.

All of us at the O'Grady Library wish Gregory all the best as he devotes more time and attention to his family!

Gregory grabs a piece of pizza during his farewell party.