The College of Health Sciences invites the campus community to celebrate two retiring staff members: Leslie Black, management assistant for the college’s dean’s office, and Jeff Thompson, program manager for Idaho Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program. A retirement party will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 in the Norco Building, room 117. Refreshments will be served and Dean Tim Dunnagan will offer remarks.
Leslie Black has worked for the State of Idaho since 1976. She began her career with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare as an office assistant and joined Boise State’s College of Education in 1995. In 2000, Black moved to the College of Health Sciences and has carried a large variety of responsibilities ever since.
“It has been an exciting, energetic and caring place to work for so many years. I have enjoyed any opportunities to learn and to grow my skill level and to accept different and more responsibility,” Black said. “I have had the opportunity to belong to and serve in local, state and national professional associations as well as access to coursework and workshops offered through Boise State. I will miss all of the wonderful people I have worked with and become lifelong friends with. Thank you to each person who has touched my life in some seemingly insignificant way – you may never know the positive, lasting effects you’ve had on me as a co-worker and as a person.”
Black, well-known for her crafting, particularly her hand-made cards, plans to finish half-started projects, remodel her craft room and visit family and new places during her retirement.
Jeff Thompson graduated from Boise State in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health. He returned to the university in 1999 as a safety and health consultant for the Idaho Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program, which is funded by a federal grant through Boise State’s Center for Excellence in Environmental Health and Safety. After five years as a consultant, Thompson became program manager and he has continued serving in this leadership role for 18 years.
“My favorite thing about working in the consultation program is the amount of travel I have been able to do throughout the state of Idaho and meeting new people over the years. Also, being able to get to know and work with my co-workers,” Thompson said. “I will miss working with our clients who I have become very good friends with over the years.”
Thompson plans to spend time at his family property in Cascade, complete with fishing and ATV rides; to spend winters in Arizona or wherever it is warm; and to travel to see his sons in Seattle and Australia during his retirement.