Few months from retirement, President Jo Ann Gora takes time to meet with students

Junior psychology major Berkley Conner poses with President Jo Ann Gora after Conner received the James Marine Outstanding Junior Scholarship at the Senior Recognition banquet. The Speech Team nominated her for the award. Gora posed with her to show her support for Conner
Junior psychology major Berkley Conner poses with President Jo Ann Gora after Conner received the James Marine Outstanding Junior Scholarship at the Senior Recognition banquet. The Speech Team nominated her for the award. Gora posed with her to show her support for Conner

President’s reception

When : 3:30-5 p.m. today

Where : L.A. Pittenger Student Center Tally

Dress code : Is business casual, and food will be provided.

With only a few months left before her retirement in June, students will be able to thank and meet President Jo Ann Gora at a reception today.

The reception today from 3:30 to 5 p.m. is to honor Gora. People are asked to wear business casual and can get provided food at the event.

Gora said through her 10-year presidency, she has always made it a priority to meet with individual students. Each year. she offers to take any freshmen to lunch, so long as they ask.

“I always say that students will give you the truth about an institution in a shorter time than anybody else,” she said. “... Because I think [meeting with students is] really unusual, and I think it’s really unusual in a university this size.”

After retirement, Gora said she is looking forward to having a looser schedule.

“I’m keeping it a little loose and open at this point,” she said. “I don’t have to have a very structured plan, and that’s appealing to me.”

But she might not leave higher education behind. She said she is considering starting a consulting firm called Higher Education Solutions.

“I think there will be some opportunities to work with boards and with presidents on fundraising initiatives and strategic planning,” she said.

In a press conference in October, Gora said she and her husband, Roy Budd, own a home in Williamsburg, Va., about three miles from their grandchildren.

“It would be nice to actually live in the house,” Gora said in the press conference. “So, we will probably take up residence in Virginia.”

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