Smith celebrated for 50 years at Illinois

On October 21, 1974, one of MechSE’s most dedicated and beloved staff began her career at the University of Illinois. Now, 50 years later, Tammy Smith is still a vital part of the university and the MechSE department.

After graduating as a junior at age 16 from Champaign Central High School, Smith began her university career at the American Association of Teachers of French, where she worked for about about a year before transferring to Central Stores (now known as Stores and Receiving), where she worked for about nine years, ordering office, restaurant, furniture and chemical supplies from various vendors for the campus storeroom.

Smith then moved on in 1985 to MechSE (then called the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering), where she started working in what was then called the Communications Office. She worked with one other secretary, a draftsperson, and their supervisor. Her work at that time included typing manuscripts, proposals, theses, class notes and more from the hand-written drafts given to them by the department’s faculty and graduate students. The draftsperson on staff drew all of the figures and charts by hand.  

Over time, as computers became more ubiquitous on campus, Smith’s responsibilities transitioned to coordinating all of the department’s special events and the short courses organized by the Fracture Control Program. She also worked closely with Sandra Addy on Alumni Board events, the Scholarship and Fellowship Banquets, Spring Awards Banquets, and others. 

Since 2011, Smith has worked in MechSE’s Undergraduate Programs Office, serving the department’s more than 1,000 undergraduate students. 

“I absolutely adore the relationship our office has with each other and everyone in the department. We are very fortunate to have strong bonds with each other, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else. I look forward to as many more years here as possible,” said Smith, who will celebrate her 40th year in MechSE in 2025.

“Tammy has been an important part of our department for so long, it’s hard to imagine the impact she’s had on so many students and faculty. It’s really wonderful to be able to celebrate this anniversary, and we hope for many more years,” said MechSE Department Head Tony Jacobi.