Stone, Lisa

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University of Mississippi eGrove University of Mississippi News 6-29-2018 A Retirement Tribute to Robin Buchannon Lisa Stone Follow this and additional works at: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/umnews Recommended Citation Stone, Lisa, "A Retirement Tribute to Robin Buchannon" (2018). University of Mississippi News. 2842. https://egrove.olemiss.edu/umnews/2842 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by eGrove. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Mississippi News by an authorized administrator of eGrove. For more information, please contact egrove@olemiss.edu. Search this website … SearchRobin Buchannon and husband, Denny,stop for a quick break during a hike inPatagonia this past February. SubmittedphotoA Retirement Tribute to Robin BuchannonSo Long, My Boss, My Mentor, My FriendJUNE 29, 2018 BY LISA STONEI’ve known for many months that my boss and my friend,Robin Buchannon, associate vice chancellor for universityrelations, was retiring after 34 years at Ole Miss. This daywas coming, and, despite my constant cajoling andbegging, there was nothing I could do to change it.So, as a writer, I figured the next best thing I could do wasto pen a tribute to her from my perspective as one of herlongest employees and mentees.Rock-solidMy first interaction with Robin came when I worked in OldChemistry (now Brevard Hall) in the 1990s. I have vaguememories of the very nice, soft-spoken blonde woman whoworked on the second floor. I didn’t really know much abouther other than she was Bob Woolsey’s right hand in theMississippi Mineral Resources Institute.So, for those of you who don’t know, Robin came to OleMiss in 1981 as a graduate assistant in the Department ofGeology and Geological Engineering. She went on to earnher M.S. in Geology and her Ph.D. in Engineering Sciencesfrom Ole Miss before assuming roles of research assistantprofessor and associate director and research geologist inMMRI. She’s a registered professional geologist and, formany years, chaired the program committee for theOffshore Technology Conference for the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.I guess you can trace the roots of her rock-solid reputation back to her academic beginnings!The Permanent InterimI didn’t really know Robin during the first half of her career at Ole Miss as a geologist. Rather, for thelast 16 years, I have known her as a stellar supervisor, an exceptional role model and an administratorextraordinaire. In fact, I have very succinct memories of Robin from 2002, when she assumed the role ofinterim administrative director of the Mississippi Space Commerce Initiative. It was the first time thatRobin was asked to step up into an interim role to be the steady hand to guide a struggling program, butit wouldn’t be the last.In fact, over the next 15 years, Robin would serve in special assignment leadership roles for more thanfive programs, centers and departments. The extent of her knowledge ranges from remote sensing toeconomic development to food services and a little bit of everything else in between!Some of her greatest successes came during her time in the Office of Research and SponsoredPrograms, including being named assistant vice chancellor in 2008. During this time, she never met abudget she didn’t like and honed her airtight knowledge of institutional policies and procedures. Robinwas also instrumental in enhancing the credentials of the department by encouraging and supportingstaff to follow in her footsteps and become Certified Research Administrators – it was the first time inthe history of UM that such a level of external credentialing had been achieved by the staff of thesponsored programs administration.A Tough ExteriorI know that many see Robin as a tough nut to crack – and she is. But it was because she always didthings the right way: following and enforcing policies and procedures, holding people accountable andhandling the most difficult and challenging situations with a quiet, assured confidence. She approachedRead the story …Read the story …Follow us on socialCampus BriefsStudents Learn ‘Real Politics’ inWashington, D.C., Winter SessionOXFORD, Miss. – Eleven University ofMississippi students spent their winterbreak learning about the people who workbehind the scenes of the Americangovernment in Washington, D.C. Lead byJonathan Klingler, assistant professor ofpolitical science, the students of Pol 391:Applied Politics met not with candidates,but with the people who make candidates’More Posts from this CategoryThank You To OurDonorsYoung Alumna Gives Back to Schoolof AccountancyOXFORD, Miss. – Stephanie JenningsTeague, of Chicago, sees her commitmentof $100,000 to the Patterson School ofAccountancy‘s new building at theUniversity of Mississippi as a means ofsaying “thank you.” “It is a way to show asmall token of my appreciation to OleMiss, the faculty and staff, and theaccountingMore Posts from this CategoryOle Miss In the NewsReuters: Keep an Eye on the MoneySupplyU.S. inflation roller coaster prompts freshlook at long-ignored money supply ByMichael S. Derby NEW YORK – Theamount of money sloshing around the U.S.economy shrank last year for the first timeon record, a development that someeconomists believe bolsters the case forU.S. inflation pressures continuing toabate. The Federal Reserve’sNews Releases UM COVID-19 Video Gallery University Communications Ole Miss Homepage Ole Miss News BlogFacebookTwitterLin edInEmailCopyLinkSMSPrintFriendlySharFacebookTwitterInstagramLinkedInYouTubeChannelRobin Buchannon and husband, Denny, enjoy cake during an Office of Research celebration thanking Robin forher many years of service before she transitioned to University Relations. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole MissCommunicationsevery aspect of her job with the utmost integrity, always keeping the university’s best interest as herguiding principle. It was never in doubt that she truly loves this university.I consider myself one of the lucky ones who got beyond that tough exterior and had the privilege ofknowing her as a friend. Over the last 16 years, we’ve shared long lunches and fun dinners. We’veshared tailgating Saturdays in the Grove. We’ve shared shopping trips and birthday gifts. And maybebest of all, we’ve shared our love of birthday cake!SuperpowersWhether or not she intentionally set out to be a role model for others, for me, Robin has served as oneof the outstanding women at this university whom I have tried to emulate and learn from. Alice Clark isanother one of these remarkable women, but that is a story for another day.   Over the last 16 years, Robin has nurtured my potential and encouraged me to learn more, take onmore responsibility and aim for the next steps in my career at the university. She had great confidencein me, always recognizing my abilities and talents way before I knew I was ready.Her knowledge of this university is unsurpassed. She has amazing working relationships across everyaspect of UM and is widely respected. In the face of working in some of the most challenging situations,I can’t ever remember Robin being ruffled – I think her superpower is her steady, even-tempered, calminginfluence. But keep an eye out … if you are ever lucky enough to get a glimpse of her sense of humor,she is wickedly funny!Bet You Didn’t KnowSo, while Robin’s reputation for being the epitome of grace under pressure may be widely known, youmay not know that she and her husband, Denny, are avid travelers. In fact, they’ve traveled to more than20 countries. Their travels have included climbing to basecamp at Mount Everest and hiking inPatagonia. They’ve even been known to hop on a last-minute flight to spend the weekend in Paris!In addition to traveling, she is passionate about music – the Beatles and Paul McCartney in particular.Did you know that she has been to 13 Paul McCartney concerts in four countries?But perhaps she is most truly passionate about her relationships. Whether it is her volunteer work withthe Pilot Club, the friendships she has nurtured over many years, her beloved nieces and nephews, orher feisty cats, Robin is genuine, giving and loyal. I am grateful that my professional life brought with itone of my most treasured friendships.A Well-deserved RestIn 2016, Robin was ready to take it to the house. She had enjoyed a magnificent career full ofexceptional achievements. But her beloved university called her to serve once more. This time – for herswan song – Robin would serve as associate vice chancellor for university relations to round out analready stellar career.I can already see her now, sitting on her back porch enjoying the solitude of no HR forms to process orbudgets to reconcile. Or, I can see her making the rounds of visiting friends and family far and wide. Or,I can see her jetting to far-off, exotic places. Well, Robin, whatever you choose to do, here’s to all yourmany, well-deserved future adventures.And although a decade-and-a-half was not enough time to learn all I could from you, I’m so very gratefulthat I was able to spend such a significant part of my Ole Miss adventure with you.Read the story …More Posts from this CategoryTelling Her StoryFor those familiar with the wildly popular Broadway show “Hamilton,” there is a very poignant tune aboutwho will tell your story, how it’s the people who remember you who shape your legacy. In keeping withthis theme, I reached out to a several people who have had the distinct privilege of working with Robinover her many years at Ole Miss. Here is how they will tell her story…“Robin has an amazing ability to resolve complex issues in a quiet, professional manner. I workedclosely with Robin for 14 years and admired her ability to analyze a situation and quickly get to theheart of the matter. She involved as few people as absolutely necessary to develop a plan forward andalways approached situations with the mindset of ‘what is best for the university.’ She also has a greatsense of humor and knows when to use it to put others at ease.“I know it is a cliche, but Robin is irreplaceable, and deserves a tremendous amount of credit for buildingthe research infrastructure that is needed to manage an R1 research enterprise.”– Walter G. Chambliss, interim associate vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs andprofessor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery “Robin was one of the first people that I met when I came to the University of Mississippi in 1995. Overthe years, we have worked together on many different initiatives and projects. Robin and I spent manyhours in car rides to the Stennis Space Center, as part of ‘Driving Miss Robin,’ and during those driveswe developed a warm friendship. She has always been a trusted friend that I could go to for advice andcounsel. I always appreciated her candor, her advice and her support. The University of Mississippi and Iwill miss having her on campus.”– Greg Easson, director and professor, Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute, and associate dean forresearch and graduate education “Sometimes it is hard to find the right words to acknowledge and describe someone as wonderful as Dr.B. I met her in 2002 while working at Stennis Space Center for the Mississippi Space CommerceInitiative when she was introduced as our interim director. It was evident during our first meeting that shewas a person who truly cared about her job, the university and its mission.“She is one of the most dedicated people I’ve ever met – strong and soft-spoken. I’d like to thank her forbeing my inspiration, for helping me grow and become the person I am today. She’s truly one of a kind,a leader who makes everyone else stronger. I’ve never been able to call her Robin as I preferred Dr. B.,but I will forever call her my friend.” – Christine Narcisse, retired           “I met Robin for the first time on a group trip to Tuscany, Italy. It was an eclectic mix of people andpersonalities, and it was truly an adventure from beginning to end. Many fond memories were madethrough cooking classes, wine tastings, goat farms, chocolate and quirky tour guides. Looking back, Irealize that I was one of the lucky few who got to know Robin while pursuing one of her true passions:travel!“Two years later, Robin and I would cross paths again when Dr. Clark was named vice chancellor foruniversity relations. Initially, I joked with her that she probably didn’t want to see me again after ‘Italy,’but you learn important things about people when you travel with them and when you work with them. Inthe short time we worked together, we celebrated small victories, struggled through difficult times andshe taught me to approach each new challenge fearlessly – with an open heart and mind.“From those experiences, I learned that Robin has strength, character and grace that I will strive toemulate for the rest of my career. I’m truly grateful to call Robin a mentor, friend and personal hero!” – Lauren Beyers, executive director of advancement services, University Development “I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Buchannon during the final two years of her career at theuniversity. In that short time, I found her grace, candor and sharp wit to be unmatched; her commitmentto this university to be unparalleled; and her trust to be inspiring. Dr. Buchannon is a true servant leader.My only regret is that I didn’t get to work with her longer than I did. Her impact at Ole Miss will be feltlong after she’s retired to her next great adventure.”– Ryan Whittington, director of marketing and brand strategy, University Communications “It’s impossible to sum up Robin Buchannon’s impact on our university in a short statement. There is noone I respect more, value more or trust more than Robin. She embodies all that we hope for in acolleague and a friend: she’s trustworthy, thoughtful, honest, knowledgeable, dependable, loyal and adelight to work with every day. Day after day, year after year, it’s people like Robin Buchannon who haveworked hard to shape the acclaimed Ole Miss culture of integrity, quality, helpfulness and acommitment to the greater good.“She is highly respected across campus, is always professional, kind and helpful to all, knowseverything about everything (or where to find it), is willing to take on any job asked of her and can solveany problem. She has been a gift to our university, and her absence will be deeply felt throughout theuniversity.”– Alice Clark, interim vice chancellor for university relations and F.A.P. Barnard Distinguished Professorof PharmacognosyFILED UNDER: OLE MISS NEWS BLOGRetu rn  to  to p  o f  p a ge Copyright © 2023 · Th e Un iversity  o f  M ississ ip p i

A Retirement Tribute to Robin Buchannon

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A Retirement Tribute to Robin Buchannon

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