Alum Konnie Kruczek says goodbye to NCF

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Photo credit: Dylan Pryor
Kruczek played an irreplaceable part in many campus activities, including Orientation Week.

New College alum and Community Engagement Coordinator Konnie Kruczek will say goodbye to New College after 15 years of dedicated work at the school. Kruczek accepted a position as assistant director at FSU College of Medicine’s Sarasota campus.

As a New College student, Kruczek was an active member of the community. She notably took on the role of B Dorm resident advisor (RA) and sponsored Cultural Revolution PCP. Kruczek graduated from New College in 1995, and returned to the college five years later to run a partnership with the Boys & Girls club on campus: Keys to the Future. She went on to oversee many student activities, including the school’s first family weekend in 2003.

She also oversaw the development of the VISTA volunteer program in 2006 and expanded the program to two positions in 2011.

“I am most proud of developing our VISTA program and the focus I have been able to bring to serving at-risk youth in the community through our educational outreach programs,” Kruczek wrote in an email interview. “I am grateful to our community partners for the countless hours that they share with our students.”

In an email to the student body outlining Kruczek’s accomplishments, Dean of Students Tracy Murry weighed in on her contributions to campus.

“She has always been willing to lend a hand whenever needed, and has always been a steering force for the development of many initiatives in Student Affairs,” Murry commented.

One such initiative was the annual New Student Orientation Week, which Kruczek has taken the lead in coordinating over the past two years.

“She runs the place,” NCSA Co-President Paige Pellaton said. “She is kind. She once let a few OL’s [orientation leaders] come to her office and paint nails with her daughter.

“No one can replace her,” Pellaton said.

“Working with Konnie as an OL twice and as Orientation Coordinator this year, I can confidently say that Konnie is one of the funniest, kindest, most creative people I have ever had the pleasure to work with,” Orientation Coordinator Laura Arberman said. “She truly cares about this school and about all of the people in it. She has worked tirelessly to perfect the orientation program and to keep it going. Her influence on New College is incalculable.”

Kruczek’s departure will be bittersweet. Although she is moving on to great opportunities, she also expressed a deep connection to New College.

“Leaving is not easy,” Kruczek said. “I have raised my children on campus, and acted as a surrogate mother and big sister to countless students. I am very grateful to all of the opportunities given to me over the years…I will miss the intellect, creativity, passion and compassion of the students, faculty and staff.”

 

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