After 28 years of service to the university, Director of the Human Resources department Jessie Roberts has retired from her position.

A banquet was held in her honor at the Alumni Center on the afternoon of Aug. 1, where faculty and staff from all over campus attended to bid Roberts farewell. Members of the Human Resources department, the Lion Traxx, UPD and university President John L. Crain, as well as friends and family, were all at the reception.

Roberts has been involved with Southeastern since attending as a marketing major in 1977. She was a student worker, a graduate assistant and also has a Masters in Business Administration. Roberts left to do work for two state agencies, but returned in 1983 to work with the Human Resources department.

Roberts had a good outlook on her time with the university.

“The Southeastern family has provided me with a good career and I was able to raise my family and I met a lot of wonderful people,” said Roberts.

During the reception, Roberts was given a few gifts which included a framed picture, signed by other workers in her department, and a watch, presented to her by President John L. Crain. Roberts also expressed her enthusiasm for the people she worked with before leaving, but plans to make use of her free time.

“The relationships that you form here, you know, the people that you work with, they’re your second family,” said Roberts. “I feel sad in a way that I’m retiring, but I’m going to spend more time with my elderly mother, who’s ill.”