By Jana Wiersema, Features Editor
Asbury University’s School of Communication Arts is a well-oiled machine, always abuzz with activity — student films, theatrical productions, appearances by big-name guest speakers, you name it. While most students are familiar with the dean, professors and department chairs in Miller, there’s someone else who helps keep that well-oiled machine running — someone they might not know by name but surely see every time they walk through the building’s front door: Donna Flanigan, Asbury’s communication arts staff assistant.
Flanigan first moved to Wilmore when her husband, Dr. Glen Flanigan, began working in Asbury’s music department. Because the couple had two children still going through school, Donna took a part-time position as a staff assistant in Asbury’s media communication department in 2001. After 12 years with the department, she moved to a full-time role.
However, even after 18 years at Asbury, Flanigan told the Collegian that “every day is different.”
“I don’t always know what direction my day will take until I open my email,” she said. “My job is to assist faculty, staff and students in the Comm Arts department.” She added that her duties include sending emails to students, answering phones and running errands in Miller.
While students may know to turn in their time cards and book conference rooms with Flanigan, they may not know that she and her husband share the same birthday — April 2. She also told the Collegian that her favorite movie is “While You Were Sleeping.”
Flanigan said that the most challenging part of her job is “getting people to respond to questions in a timely fashion,” as faculty members and students both have busy schedules. In spite of such difficulties, Flanigan said that interacting with faculty and students is her favorite part of the job.
“Working in the Miller Building is great,” she added. “There are always tours coming through or students working on projects that keep things exciting.”
