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Volunteer Spotlight - Peg Falgien: Retired But Not "Retiring"
Torchlight | Summer 2008
Definition re-tir-ing (adj):
1. at, involving, or undergoing retirement from a job or career
2. avoiding social contact with other people
After 31 years at the University of Wyoming Bookstore, Peggy Falgien, CCR has decided to retire. In her time at the university, Peggy has held several positions in the store. She started in 1977 as the accounting tech responsible for the accounting office, became assistant manager in 1982, and has been the store manager since 1986. In each of these roles she has brought her defined knowledge of the industry, a passion for the University of Wyoming Cowboys' teams and a sense of humor.
John Turk, CCR, director, UCSD Bookstore, University of California, San Diego, notes, "Peggy always took her pride for the University of Wyoming with her when traveling to other cities/campuses. Through Peggy, I knew that the university was a high-achieving, special university that offered a great quality of life for students and staff. When in Laramie, Peggy's hospitality set the benchmark and her store always exhibited branding excellence for the University of Wyoming."
Peggy will tell you that she has been impacted by many of the people in our industry and she has in turn helped others. She credits Pamela Mills, Tommye Miller, Shirley Krug, Jo Orsborn, and John Turk as her mentors and guides. In her time, she has also in turn mentored others. Kevin Gish, VP Campus Relations, Validis Resources, notes, "I had the honor of watching Peggy's dedication and love for the college store market. I saw her mentor countless college bookstore managers and employees as well as encourage vendor associations to support and be involved in regional and national associations."
Pam Mills, CCR, director, University of Colorado Bookstore at Boulder, writes, "Peggy has been a pillar of strength for the Rocky Mountain Skyline Bookstore Association (RMSBA) for as long as most of us can remember. She was a dynamic board member and president, has chaired multiple committees, meetings, and special activities and has continued to be a driving force in the success of RMSBA. She has become a leader in nearly every organization that she was involved with and her passion for the industry is unmistakable. We are all better people for the time and remarkable efforts she has so generously shared."
Melanie Sparks, CCR, current NACS president and director of the University of New Mexico Bookstore, writes, "I first had the pleasure of meeting Peggy in 1989 when I was invited to a RMSBA Board meeting. Ever since then, Peggy has been a true mentor, colleague, confidant, and friend. I always knew where Peggy stood on issues and I really valued that. I also had the pleasure of serving with her on the NACS Board, as she became president-elect. I knew that her values of integrity, honesty and transparency would serve the industry well. I hope that I honor her with being the best that I can be—because she has helped me to be the best that I can be. Peggy will always be a true friend and will continue to be a mentor and trusted advisor."
With her passion for the college store market Peggy has given back countless hours to the industry. She has served on the boards of four associations, 26 committees, four task forces, and NACS' Foundation Board and as subject matter expert. Peggy has served as president of NACS, president of the Rocky Mountain Skyline Bookstore Association, and as president of the Western College Bookstore Association two times including the year that the group transitioned to the Independent Campus Bookstore Association. In each of these roles Peggy has shared ideas, helped move projects forward, and contributed to improving our industry, our associations, and our stores.
So what is Peggy going to do now? Well for those of us that know her well, we think that she will manage to keep herself busy. She is already committed to at least one more year on the NACS Foundation Board and will be helping out on several Foundation committees. Peggy will also continue to help out at her family's business, Bud's Bar, where you can meet the University of Wyoming's mascot, a Shetland pony, any football game day! She also plans to play more golf, play bunko (an unusual card game), and spend more time with her two dachshunds.
Peggy, thank you for all that you have done to make our industry think of the future while focusing on the special things that make it all so darn much fun!
-Debbie Harvie, CCR
Part-time Cowboy Joe supporter and Bud's patron since 2003
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