jenny cloutier, school of education, retirement, employee, OUCARES
March 14, 2024
Born in Detroit, and now living in Sterling Heights, Virginia “Jenny” Cloutier, administrative secretary of The Joanne and Ted Lindsay Foundation Autism Outreach Services (commonly known as OUCARES), began her tenure at Oakland University in August of 1976, just a month after America celebrated its Bicentennial.
Now, nearly 48 years later on April 4, 2024, she will be retiring from the university with a myriad of memories made with friends and co-workers on this ever-changing college campus. Cloutier is one of the few witnesses who can say she has seen the dramatic growth of OU when it comes to student population, new programs and degrees offered and through the never-ending construction of new buildings to house it all. And, through that time, she has worked for every OU president and interim president in school history, except for the first president, Woody Varner.
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| Jenny Cloutier |
Cloutier has been a member of the OUCARES team since its inception in 2004. In that time, the program grew from one soccer program to more than 100 programs now held each year. In her time with OUCARES, she has been able to support more than 2,000 individuals impacted by autism on campus and in the local communities. One coworker said she has “brought to Pawley Hall a passion and dedication focused on helping others succeed in life.”
Prior to her work with OUCARES, Cloutier spent 20 years as the student employment coordinator helping students get on campus jobs throughout the year. She also spent a short time as a loan processor in Financial Aid and a few years in Admissions processing student applications “when they were still paper,” she added.
"Jenny has more institutional knowledge than anyone in the School of Education and Human Services history," said Jon Margerum-Leys, dean of SEHS. "She has had an amazing career, making a positive impact on everyone she has encountered. The light that she brings to Pawley Hall is remarkable; I don't believe I have ever seen her without a smile and a kind word. We'll miss her."
Cloutier has been honored with several university awards during her tenure, including the prestigious Sharon L. Wilhelm Award at the university’s Exemplary Employee Award Celebration in 2012. Most recently, she was honored at the School of Education and Human Services Leadership Celebration in 2022 (image above).
In retirement, Cloutier says she plans on spending more time with family and friends, working on some of her favorite hobbies, traveling more around Michigan and focusing on health and wellness activities for herself and her family.
A retirement celebration for Jenny is planned for April 3 from 1-3 p.m. in Pawley Hall, room 204. Here is the google RSVP form https://forms.gle/v5BLkeRPmrT7ZuFe7
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