Name: Rona Whittet

Title: RUK Student Recruitment Officer

Length of service: 27 years

What has been your career path while at Abertay?

I started at Dundee Institute of Technology in November 1992. I worked in the Finance Office as a Clerical Assistant to the Finance Officer / Director of Finance, Jim Turnbull and Caroline Lamb, respectively, for about four years.

I moved from there to work in Central Services as a Central Information Advisor in the first 'one-stop-shop' advice centre. I worked with Mabel Cowling, Emily Stewart and Evelyn Simpson. From there I became Project Co-ordinator for Management Connections OnLine/NetCulture - a project aimed to enhance the capacity of staff development services within Scottish HEIs.

Following that, I worked for a few years as an Administrative Officer on a variety of different projects and then ultimately in the Business Development Office, from where I was 'recruited' by the Student Recruitment Office. I have been here for over 10 years now and, in the last year or so, I have been the lead for RUK recruitment.

What made you want to work here?

 I applied for the clerical assistant post in Finance as I was moving from Glasgow to Dundee. (Husband is from Dundee)

How has the University changed over the years?

It's expanded a lot and there's lots of different faces. I used an electronic typewriter when I first started here, and now it’s a laptop! 

What would you say has been the biggest improvement?

I think the Library is one of the best things about Abertay. The Library before was in the main building and not very big. 

What one thing do you miss the most?

We used to have a Refectory and the staff used to go there for the lunch. Doris Kinnison, the Refectory Manager used to put on amazing buffets at prize-giving and graduation. 

What are your memories of the campaign and, eventually, confirmation of University status in 1994?

I remember all the staff were asked what name the university should be. I thought Tayside University might be a good option, but pleased that Abertay University was

picked. However, we had to call it the “University of Abertay Dundee” when answering the phone/correspondence, we weren’t allowed to shorten it at that time. 

Point to note: The first Garden Party I attended was the celebration at Camperdown Park!

Who has been your favourite or most memorable colleague?

There have been a lot of memorable people over the years...

i remember George the mail man, who used his own bike to hand deliver letters in and around Dundee - he used to always say as he was going out the door on his letter errands "I will carry on regardless”. Norma Piscini – HR Secretary, was another, and her husband Joe Piscini, who was a Janitor.

What is it about Abertay that has made you want to stay all these years? 

It’s the people and the variety of jobs I had.  

(Rona in 2008)

Posted on 13th Aug 2019

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