Spectrum - Volume 19 Issue 22 February 28, 1997 - Spencer to leave university

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including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Spencer to leave university

By Larry Hincker

Spectrum Volume 19 Issue 22 - February 28, 1997

Associate Vice President for Administration and Personnel Ann Spencer will be leaving Virginia Tech effective April 1.

"Ann has quietly grown into one of our most effective administrators over her 18 years with Virginia Tech. Through effective leadership, providing opportunities for good people, and plain old common sense, Ann has done a great job of managing her portfolio," said Minnis Ridenour, executive vice president and Spencer's superior for most of her Tech career.

Spencer is credited with establishing the Leadership Development Program, a university-wide training and education program for administrators, managers, and team leaders. During her tenure the university reorganized personnel services around customer-service modules and is now installing a first-ever comprehensive human-resource system. The HRIS project was a massive multi-year effort to integrate personnel systems with other university systems such as payroll, finance and budget, and health and safety.

"Tech is my alma mater as well as my career home. Leaving a place which has been home for more than two decades is an emotional experience. My memories will be of great people with whom I have worked. Challenges are fun and enjoyable when you truly enjoy the people in your department," Spencer said

Before her appointment to associate vice president, Spencer was assistant vice president for administrative affairs, assistant to the vice president for finance, and a grants and contracts administrator.

Spencer cited personal and health reasons for her departure from Virginia Tech. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis two years ago and her husband, Scott Roop, a Blacksburg businessman, suffered a heart attack in 1996.

In her resignation letter, Spencer said, "We have jointly assessed the way we are living within the context of the physical limitations that we each now have. We have come to realize that some changes are necessary." Their immediate plans include traveling and spending more time at their home in Wyoming.