Susan McCormack Center for Student Success

The Susan McCormack Center for Student Success in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences helps students develop their full potential by creating a culture of success through active involvement in education and career planning.

The center is named for Susan McCormack, a staff member who made an indelible mark on the college and the students she served. She came to the college in 1989 from the Department of Physics. Dean Sam Hakes said, “Come down to the Dean’s Office, and we’ll find something for you to do.” Do, Susan did—three deans, five associate deans, and thousands of students later, she was never bored and enjoyed the crank-it-up-a-notch pace her job demanded.

Susan wore many hats, including a 16-year stint producing the college’s magazine Foresight, coordinating two commencement ceremonies each year, coordinating the Engineering Summer Program for high school juniors for 15 years, “selling” the college to prospective students and their parents, making sure that students completed their graduation requirements in a timely manner, and just being there for anyone who needed an understanding ear. Susan retired in 2014.

In 2005, Wayman Wing (BSCE ’47) and his wife Eugenia endowed a scholarship in Susan’s name, citing her “dedication, enormous energy, and efficient manner.” Susan considered it a privilege to have been a part of so many lives. She always refers to the students and alumni as “her kids,” no matter what their ages.

Contributions this Giving Day will be used for activities that directly support students such as our freshman Saddle Up week. We are particularly keen to carry on traditions that Susan started—for example, treats for students during finals.

Thank you so much! This is a great way to honor all that Susan did for our college over so many years.