By Jack Pinsky ’14, Contributing Writer
Walking into Old Main without an appointment and simply asking an employee for an interview is not the norm at F&M, but it was how I found Jill Graham.
Originally from Kennett Square, PA, Graham has worked at F&M for eight years as project coordinator and the assistant to Michael Billig, associate dean of the faculty. Graham is also responsible for organizing the two research fairs held at F&M every year, as well as managing Student Perceptions of Teaching (SPOT) forms each semester after students complete them.
Graham said she enjoys working in Old Main because of the mutual respect shown by her co-workers.
“The College’s deans are approachable and [provide] a good office environment,” Graham said.
A graduate from Penn State University, Graham has a son and a daughter who recently graduated from Drexel University and DePaul University, respectively. Her son studied the music industry and now records music in a rock club in Philadelphia, while her daughter studied geography.
Graham’s own interests include gardening, especially lilacs because of their scent and ephemerality. She also enjoys reading books by Vern Michaels or Nora Roberts in her spare time.
One of Graham’s favorite memories from F&M is the time she was invited to join Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity to eat Thanksgiving dinner. Not only did that take her out of her comfort zone, but she was also able to do something she does not often have the opportunity to do: talk with students.
If able to give one piece of advice to students it would be this:
“Find your passion,” Graham said. “Do what you love.”
But Graham also expressed her understanding of how difficult that can be, as there are many older adults who still do not know what their passion is.
I left Old Main having explored an area of campus some students never see. Jill Graham showed me that, even if you haven’t found your passion yet, you should surround yourself with kind people and do things you love.
If you would like to nominate a staff member for a profile email jpinsky@fandm.edu.
Senior Jack Pinsky is a contributing writer. His email is jpinsky@fandm.edu.