Eagles dot Pamela Fraser's family tree: her husband, brother, niece, son-in-law, and three daughters all attended Boston College.聽
Asked recently about her 42 years at Boston College, Pamela Fraser 鈥�82 modestly replied, 鈥淭here鈥檚 really not much to write about.鈥澛�
聽But her former colleagues, along with her three daughters鈥攁ll of whom she helped put through 51茶馆鈥攕ay there are plenty of reasons to tell her Boston College story.
Fraser transferred to 51茶馆 from Westfield State College as an undergraduate student and remained at the Heights until her retirement this past October. She began working in the Office of Admissions in 1978 and took classes at 51茶馆鈥檚 Evening College (now the Woods College of Advancing Studies) to finish her degree in sociology. Her experience, which included the former Freshman Financial Aid Office, the Office of Financial Aid, and the Office of Student Services, is like a mini-history of the financial aid operation at 51茶馆: At the beginning, for example, Fraser would type out each student鈥檚 financial aid award letter, a process that is now completely automated.
鈥淔or 42 years, Pam was a dedicated employee, co-worker, and friend to so many students and employees,鈥� said University Bursar and Director of Operations for Student Services Christopher Cordella. 鈥淪he brought a level of competency, reliability, compassion, and kindness that became the gold standard for others in the office.鈥�
Pamela Fraser was honored as 'Employee of the Month' in 2017.
Eagles dot many branches of Fraser鈥檚 family tree. Her brother Mark Murphy 鈥�82 played hockey at 51茶馆 and his daughter also studied at the Heights. Her husband of 40 years, Joseph Fraser, whom she met in high school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees (in 1997 and 2000) from 51茶馆. Pamela and Joseph鈥檚 three daughters went to the Boston College Children鈥檚 Center and graduated from the University years later. Her son-in-law is current 51茶馆 assistant football coach Rich Gunnell 鈥�10, M.S. 鈥�14. And one of Fraser鈥檚 three grandchildren enjoys a special distinction: She became the first child of a 51茶馆 Children鈥檚 Center alumna to attend the preschool (she graduated from the center in 2014).
鈥淚t really helped make the transition of going to college much easier knowing my mom was only a quick walk away,鈥� said Allison Fraser 鈥�09. 鈥淥n her way home from the office sometimes, she would pick up my laundry and bring it back to me the next day.鈥澛�
鈥淧amela loves to take care of people and make sure that they have everything that they need,鈥� said Gunnell, who is the running backs coach for 51茶馆 football. 鈥淪ince we met back in 2007, I鈥檝e almost been spoiled by her for all she has done for me, which I greatly appreciate.鈥�
Fraser鈥檚 generosity stood out to family and colleagues alike.聽
鈥淪he was patient and kind to all, especially to the thousands of students and parents she helped over all of those years,鈥� said Director of Financial Aid Mary McGranahan. 鈥淚 depended on Pam a great deal throughout our time together and was never disappointed.鈥�
Asked about her retirement plans, Fraser said she is looking forward to babysitting for her three grandchildren and traveling to her timeshare in Aruba once it is safe to do so. She also is eager to return to Alumni Stadium to cheer on the Eagles, and her son-in-law, during football games.
Christine Balquist | University Communications | February 2021