Carol Slattery has been business manager for the Campus School at Boston College for almost as long as it鈥檚 been on the 51茶馆 campus, but after 40 years of dedicated service, she鈥檒l be retiring at the end of the academic year.
The Campus School, housed in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, provides specialized educational and therapeutic services for children ages three to 21 with multiple disabilities.聽
The many photos of Campus School students adorning Slattery鈥檚 office reflect her love for the school and what she will miss in her retirement.
鈥淚t is the Campus School students, 51茶馆 students, therapists, and staff here who have encouraged me to stay and work with everyone towards the school鈥檚 mission,鈥� said Slattery of her long tenure. 鈥淚 look forward to coming to work every day and I am going to miss everyone here, I really am.鈥�
Slattery originally began working in 51茶馆鈥檚 Special Education Department but was encouraged by her colleague John Eichorn, co-founder of the Campus School鈥攚hich opened in 1970鈥攖o apply for the job of managing financial operations for the school and the 51茶馆 Supported Employment program, which provides employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
In her role, Slattery has to navigate University and state guidelines and work with some 30 cities and towns that contract with 51茶馆 to provide services for their students. But colleagues say her impact went far beyond these responsibilities.聽聽
鈥淐arol worked tirelessly for the programs, staff, students, clients, and families鈥� said former Campus School director Donald Ricciato, now a part-time Lynch School faculty member. 鈥淗er commitment was unwavering. She is the epitome of someone who works outside of her job description. She did whatever was needed for the good of the programs鈥攖hat is her hallmark.鈥�
Campus School co-founder Philip DiMattia echoed Ricciato鈥檚 sentiments: 鈥淐arol was more than the fiscal administrator. She found time to engage staff and students in a caring and meaningful way. She knew every student by name and all staff as well.鈥�
"Carol is an institution and she is known whereever she travels on the campus," added Campus School Director聽Barbara Cataldo. "I am honored to have had this year to work with her, learn from her, and laugh with her. She has made it so easy to learn the needs of the Campus School because of her sense of humor and compassion."
Slattery said she looks forward to spending time with her family and doing some travelling, but plans to keep attending the Campus School semi-formal dance she has organized every year during her career.聽
She also will continue to encourage members of the University community, or anyone else, to visit and get to know the Campus School.聽 鈥淎nd if anyone was ever thinking about where to make a donation, the Campus School would be a good choice.鈥�
鈥擟hristine Balquist | University Communications | April 2019