About Laurie:
Laurie is known for her dedication to excellence, dependability, and immense knowledge base, but there is an alternative Laurie - affectionately known as "rocker Laurie." This is Laurie who revels in live concerts, positioning herself front and center by the stage, and embarks on adventures near and far. Beyond her professional persona, Laurie is a devoted mother to three grown boys, a doting grandma, and the primary nurturer for her mother and sister. Her life is a tapestry woven with rich friendships and experiences.
While Laurie values her work and the contributions she makes, she understands that it is just one facet of her multi-dimensional life. Each day, her heart is filled with joy by her four-legged fur baby, Watson (=and his recently lost brother, Bubba). Her spiritual connection and active involvement in her church community, along with the unwavering support of her family, serve as the steadfast anchors in her life. Laurie's presence enriches both the workplace and the broader tapestry of her life.
Laurie's Journey: A Testament to Dedication and Adaptability
Laurie embarked on her remarkable journey with the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) in 1983, assuming the role of Senior Secretary at WPIC within Mr. Romoff’s office. In those days, amidst the clatter of typewriters and ringing phones, Laurie's responsibilities encompassed a diverse array of tasks, from managing typewriter inventory to fielding calls. One memorable incident from those early days was nearly hanging up on Dr. Detre, a humorous misstep that underscored Laurie's quick wit and adaptability.
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Robert Morris, Laurie swiftly transitioned into an accounting position within WPIC's physical plant, immersing herself in the operational intricacies of the institution. Through her working with Ron Forsythe at WPIC in the Physical Plant, she then moved to the newly created “Construction Accounting” area within the group charged with construction of the Biomedical Science Tower (BST). Here she managed accounts payable for all of the BST vendors, including IKM Architects who sent their monthly paper invoices in boxes.
Once the BST construction was winding down, in the early 90’s Laurie transitioned to the office of the Associate Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences, where she began to build her expertise in higher education research administration. This was a transformative era at Pitt; Driven by Dr. Detre’s visionary leadership, Pitt emerged as a premier research institution, spearheading interdisciplinary collaboration through research centers like The Center for Clinical Pharmacology, in which Laurie was one of the first employees. Laurie also became a new mother at this time, having her first child in 1991, quickly followed by twins within 20 months later. Thus, Laurie held tight in her role at the Center -, becoming an expert in grant submissions and general operations, while juggling being a mom to three young children.
After a fulfilling nine-year tenure with the Health Sciences side of the University, Laurie began exploring new career avenues, eventually finding herself in the realm of Physics and Astronomy grants administration. It was a thrilling time to be involved in early quantum computing and physics research. Working alongside passionate astronomers and physicists was an - an enlightening and fascinating experience. Their dedication to their craft was palpable, with many professors choosing to continue their research well into retirement. The academic environment was stimulating, and Laurie found herself deeply engaged in the work and the people around her. Of all her roles at Pitt, this chapter was undoubtedly her favorite. The camaraderie and lasting friendships made, the intellectually stimulating work, and the breathtaking view of the Cathedral of Learning from her office in Allen Hall on O'Hara Street made each day a pleasure.
Laurie’s next step on the career ladder was the transition from a unit level role to an institutional role as a Grants and Contracts Officer within the Office of Research. This transition was a interesting journey marked by significant changes in higher education operations. The rapid adoption of new technologies, platforms, and information processing methods reshaped the landscape of grant administration and institutional responsibilities. During this period, the federal government significantly tightened regulations, necessitating constant updates and adjustments to grant administration protocols. As part of the team at the forefront of these changes, Laurie witnessed the emergence of internal controls across all levels of business and research operations. The transition was not without its challenges, as the evolving regulatory environment demanded meticulous attention to detail and adherence to stringent policies. The shift from a relatively lax framework to a more structured environment required extensive change management efforts to align expectations and procedures.
In September 2017, Laurie embarked on what would become the culminating chapter of her career at Pitt, stepping into the role of Research Administration Manager within the School of Social Work. Little did she anticipate the profound challenges and growth opportunities that lay ahead. Transitioning from paper-based to electronic systems was just the beginning of a transformative journey. Upon assuming the position, Laurie inherited a backlog of tasks accumulated during the vacancy that preceded her hire, and administrative oversight of a wide breadth of research topics and funding sources- where no two processes were alike. Just as Laurie began to acclimate to the demands of the role, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in yet another period of transition. Despite the upheaval of COVID, Social Work faculty research programs kept growing, driven in part by the hiring of new research-oriented faculty. As a result, Laurie’s knowledge and skill set continues to evolve daily, even at this advanced stage of her career. While the journey has been arduous at times, the sense of fulfillment derived from contributing to the advancement of knowledge within such a vital field is immeasurable.
Throughout her illustrious career, Laurie's unwavering loyalty to Pitt and her commitment to advancing knowledge underscored her journey. From the bustling offices of the '80s to the cutting-edge research initiatives of today, Laurie's legacy epitomizes the spirit of dedication and growth that defines the Pitt community.