Meet Tracy Crabtree, September Classified Employee of the Month

Photo courtesy of: Classified SenateTracy Crabtree (center holding the EOTM certificate) is surrounded by Classified Senate members (L-R): Heather Gould, Sharon Romine, Jacob Jakuszeit and Dana Wright

Compass features a Q&A with the non-bargaining Classified Employee of the Month. Each month, Classified Senate selects an employee to acknowledge and recognize as someone who is setting high standards for excellence and innovation. The monthly feature, titled "Great Job," provides a glimpse into the honoree's life on and off campus.

How surprised were you to win the Employee of the Month award?

Very, I knew something was going on, but this is not what I expected.

What is your job title and how long have you worked it?

I’m an administrative specialist in Housing and Residence Life and I have worked at the University for more than 19 years.

What are the most enjoyable things about your job?

I like working with our staff. I get the pleasure of working with our great residential directors and graduate resident directors. I get to see the impact they are making in our students’ lives. I also get to work with a great group of people in Housing and Residence Life. We all work hard, but we have so much fun in the work we do.

What is your hometown and where do you live now?

I am a local who was born and raised in Athens County. Albany, Ohio, is now my home.

What are your long-term goals?

Retirement!

What was the last good book you read?

“Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race.” I loved the movie and I just finished reading the book.

If you weren’t in your present job, you would be working as a ______?

At Disney World, my dream is to grow up and be a Fairy Godmother at Disney someday.

What things in life are the most important to you?

Family and friends, I am blessed with so many of these.

Where is your favorite vacation destination?

Any ocean. I love to watch the waves, it is so relaxing.

What are your hobbies?

Crafts of all kinds. Scrapbooking, card making, crochet and knitting. Next on my list is learning to quilt.

What is something that most people don’t know about you?

My dad helped in the construction of Disney World in the late 1960s. I have a photo of him on his big bulldozer moving dirt to create the space where The Magic Kingdom and the hotels are located.

What are your favorite TV shows?

“The Big Bang Theory”

Who are your favorite musicians?

So many, but I will say the king of country George Strait.

What is the next big event you can't wait for?

My son Austin is set to graduate in 2018 from Ohio University, so that is super exciting.

Who are your favorite celebrities?

Reese Witherspoon, I really enjoyed her in the movie, “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Who are the most annoying celebrities to you?

Jim Carrey, I only liked him in, “Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” In his other movies, he is annoying.

What is your dream car/truck/SUV?

Kit, which is the car I am driving.

What is your favorite sayings or quotes?

“Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children,” -- Walt Disney

“Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud,” -- Maya Angelou