Retirement party for Marty Hitchcock is April 29

Marty Hitchcock is retiring after 23 years at Western Washington University.

On Wednesday, April 29, the College of Business and Economics will hold a farewell event for Hitchcock who retires this month. The retirement party will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Parks Hall 441 and will give people who have worked with Hitchcock a chance to wish her well in her retirement.

During her 23 years at Western, Hitchcock has worked in a variety of positions in different departments, including being a secretary in media services and her current position as an academic department manager in the department of accounting in CBE. She was also actively involved as president of the Western Washington University chapter of the Public Employees of Washington, from 2000 to 2007. While there, she endeavored to improve working conditions for employees specifically dealing with issues of compensation.

“It’s been fulfilling working with faculty and students to make a difference in people’s lives,” Hitchcock said. “They have all been supportive, and I love them like family.”

Once Hitchcock retires, she plans on traveling. First, she'll go to Australia for two months to visit her daughter, who is working there as a nurse. Eventually, Hitchcock, who is also a musician, wants to experience the music culture in Spain.

During the event on Wednesday, Hitchcock will be presented with a memory book, said Kate Kairoff, who works in the College of Business and Economics. The book will contain “photos, as well as notes from faculty and staff, which we hope will provide her with memories of her past years with us as well as our thoughts and wishes for her future,” Kairoff said.

Anyone who has any memorabilia they would like to contribute to the book can either do so at the event or contact Kate Kairoff in the CBE Dean’s Office in Parks Hall Room 419, 360-650-4583 or kate.kairoff@wwu.edu.