Judy Wauer first started working for the State of Idaho in May 2002. Little did she know that 23 years later, she’d be retiring as Director of Operations for the Boise State University Foundation — and leaving behind a decades-long legacy of service and support.
In 2006, Wauer officially joined Boise State as the management assistant to the associate vice president for undergraduate studies. Over the years, she worked with the Advising and Academic Support Center, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the annual Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Conference (now the Undergraduate Research Showcase) and the Interactive Learning Center. In 2010, she was promoted to operations coordinator for the Office of the Provost and, in 2012, accepted the operations manager position with University Advancement (now the Boise State Foundation).
Currently working as the director of operations for the Foundation, Wauer has been present for immense change during her time on campus. “I have seen the university grow so much over the last 19 years,” she said.
Of particular note was when the Alumni and Friends Center, which currently houses the Foundation, was being built. “We had a huge s’mores party in the stadium parking lot across the street and roasted marshmallows while we watched the fire department burn down the old alumni building; it was a training exercise for them. It was actually a lot of fun,” she recalled. “Then cameras were installed during the construction of the new building so we could watch it go up. It was an exciting time. I coordinated the move into the building once it was complete. Now we have this beautiful gathering place for our alumni, donors, students and friends.”
The best memory Wauer has of her time with Boise State is not one specific moment but instead the students she worked with. “I don’t know if I can single out one thing that I enjoyed the most, but if I had to, I would say my interactions with our students,” she said. “I still have contact with some of them who have graduated over the last many years and love seeing and hearing about their successes.”
Students aren’t the only members of the Boise State community whom Wauer had lasting connections with.
“It’s hard to put into words what it’s meant to work alongside Judy for more than a decade,” said Katlin Bailey, associate director of donor relations. “From day one, she has been an absolute joy to work with — steady, thoughtful and genuinely caring. Getting to know her over the years has been a privilege and an absolute pleasure.”
Others echo similar sentiments. “Judy was among the first colleagues on our team to warmly welcome me to Boise State. It was quite apparent in our initial meeting that she bleeds blue,” said Heather Jauregui, executive director of development. “Her pride for the university and genuine support for the folks on our team has never wavered.”
Argia Beristain, CEO of the Foundation, has come to rely on Wauer’s institutional knowledge and expertise. “When colleagues like Judy retire, it’s bittersweet,” she said. “We are thrilled she is starting this exciting and well-deserved next chapter, but her guiding presence and insight will be keenly missed by all of us.”
“I’ve enjoyed my time at the university and will miss working with everyone,” Wauer said. ”However, I am very much looking forward to my retirement and spending time with my family.”
A farewell reception for Wauer will take place from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, July 24 in the Alumni and Friends Center.