Although Tuesday Sept. 30th may be the last day and retirement for Eileen Zolotorofe of the Foundation Office, she will not stop Rocking around this campus.

“I want to flip-flop my life. I would like to be full-time house and hubby. Part-time Bucks.” Says Zolotorofe or Z as some of her co-workers loveingly call her. Although Tuesday Sept. 30th was the last day and retirement for Eileen Zolotorofe of the Foundation Office, she will not stop rocking around this campus.

“I want to flip-flop my life. I would like to be full-time house and hubby. Part-time Bucks.” Says Zolotorofe or “Z” as some of her co-workers lovingly call her.

“Z” began working for the foundation office, under her official title as coordinator of Development Projects, in 1999. This title was only one of many hats she has worn since she started out in 1991 as a casual, returning student taking a history course.

In 1994 she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the academic honor society. After that, she says she “started volunteering for everything”.

“I soaked it [the BCCC experience] up like a sponge,” She said excitedly. “I never had this opportunity as a kid.”

Zolotorofe was asked to be a flag bearer for the class of ’96’s graduation. She then enrolled in the certificate program for historic preservation in 1997 and followed that by getting an associates degree in American studies.

“I got my dream.” Zolotorofe said as she graduated in 1998 on her 50th birthday.

After her graduation, she realized she really wanted to stay on and work at the college, and a few months later she was offered the position in the Foundation Office. At the time she had been a member of the Foundation Board, and had to resign to take the job.

“I’ve made so many friends both as a student and as an employee, it’s been wonderful,” she said.

Zolotorfe’s devotion and enthusiasm for the college is apparent to anyone who spends even five minutes talking with her. To her co-workers, that has been one of her most endearing traits.

“She is very devoted to the college. She’s one of the most enthusiastic, the bounciest, the most positive persons. Working here, she’s become my best friend”, said Nancy Steigerwalt, administrative assistant in the Foundations office. “I’m going to miss her terribly. We’re hoping she’ll be back in this office.”

Debbie Morgan, Foundations data specialist, said, “I’m going to miss her vivacious spirit and the energy she brings to the office, and her uplifting spirit. Her dedication to the college is overwhelming.”

Peter Dominick, executive director of BCCC Foundation, praised his employee.

“She brings a real passion and a genuine love for the college that clearly comes through in her job performance. She has certainly been a real asset to the foundation in the years she has worked here. I’m relatively new myself and she has been a tremendous resource in helping me to perform my job to the best of my ability,” he said.

A special friend, Carol Tyler, granddaughter of the Tyler family, whose estate became the Newtown campus, gave her a beautiful set of Limoges tea cups and saucers that were once used by the family. Zolotorofe treasures the rare gift and likes to think that perhaps some famous guest sipped tea from those very cups. She pointed out that Franklin Roosevelt visited the mansion on four occasions.

On Monday Sept. 29, friends and co-workers surprised Zolotorofe with a farewell party. The party was held in Tyler hall and was themed in her favorite color – red.

“Z” began working for the foundation office, under her offical title as coordinator of Devlopment Projects, in 1999. This title was only one of many “hats” she has worn since she started out in 1991 as a casual, returning student taking a History course.

In 1994 she was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa, the academic honer society. After that, she says she “started volunteering for everything”.

“I soaked it (the BCCC experience) up like a sponge.” She said excitedly. “I never had this opportunity as a kid.” Exclaimed Zolotorofe.

Zolotorofe was asked to be a flag bearer for the class of ’96’s graduation. She then enrolled in the Certificate Program for Historic Preservation in 1997 and followed that by getting an associates degree in American studies.

“I got my dream.” Zolotorofe said as she graduated in 1998 on her 50th birthday. As that day neared she realized she really wanted to stay on and work at the college after completing her degree.

A few months after her graduation, she was offered the position in the Foundation Office. At the time she had been a member of the Foundation Board, and had to resign to take the job.

“I’ve made so many friends both as a student and as an employee, it’s been wonderful.”

Zolotorfe’s devotion and enthusiasm for the college is apparent to anyone who spends even five minutes talking with her. To her co-workers, that has been one of her most endearing traits.

“She is very devoted to the college. She’s one of the most enthusiastic, the bounciest, the most positive persons. Working here, she’s become my best friend”, said Nancy Steigerwalt, admistrative assistant in the Foundations office, on the eve of her ‘semi-retirement’. “I’m going to miss her terribly. We’re hoping she’ll be back in this office,” Steigerwalt continued.

Debbie Morgan, Foundations data specialist, says, “I’m going to miss her vivacious spirit and the energy she brings to the office, and her uplifting spirit. Her dedication to the college is overwhelming.”

Peter Dominick, executive director of BCCC Foundation, praised his employee. “She brings a real passion and a genuine love for the college that clearly comes through in her job performance. She has certainly been a real asset to the foundation in the years she has worked here. I’m relatively new myself and she has been a tremendous resource in helping me to perform my job to the best of my ability,” he said.

A special friend, Carol Tyler, granddaughter of the Tylers whose bequest became the Newtown campus, gave her a beautiful set of Lemag’e tea cups and saucers that were once used by the family. Zolotorofe treasures the rare gift and likes to think that perhaps some famous guest sipped tea from those very cups. She pointed out that FDR visited the mansion on four occasions. She also teaches a class on Buck’s History in Tyler Hall.

On Monday Sept. 29, friends and co-workers surprised Zolotorofe with a farewell party. The party was held in Tyler hall and was themed in her favorite color, red.

The stately mansion will be quieter without her bubbly persona striding its halls each day. Perhaps the tapestried walls she so adores sit awaiting her return visits – just like all of the people whose lives she touched and made happier.