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Since 1991, Linda Cotton, of Appleton, has kept close tabs on thousands of University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumni, carefully tracking their professional successes and major life events, managing their requests for information and services and warmly welcoming them back to their alma mater.

“Over the years, alumni have shared what outstanding service they have received from Linda, when they called or stopped by the Alumni Office,” said Alumni Relations Director Christine Gantner. “She has been the face and voice of Alumni Relations for nearly 25 years.”

Cotton will retire as a University services associate from UW Oshkosh at the end of October. Alumni and members of the campus community are invited to a reception in her honor from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, in the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center (AWCC).

Cotton’s UW Oshkosh legacy reaches back more than 40 years.

“Technically, I had my UWO employment launch when I was a senior in high school in 1972 when I worked the co-op program. I went to school in the morning and had paid, on-the-job training in the afternoon. I worked for what is now the College of Education and Human Services with Dean David Bowman and his assistant, Olga Ostertag,” Cotton said. “That was back in the days of onion skin paper, mimeographs and ditto machines. I don’t recall if we had the self-correcting typewriter then or if that came later … but we thought that was just the greatest invention ever!”

From 1974 to 1982, Cotton worked full-time at the Multicultural Education Center. She transitioned to a part-time position in the Alumni Office in 1982 to be home more with her infant daughter, Becky.

In 1985, when her son, Brian, was born, Cotton left UWO to be a stay-at-home mom. But by 1989, she was back volunteering in the Alumni Office. In September 1991, she took a permanent, part- time position with the office, where she has served ever since.

“I say my claim to fame for UWO is likely being the only person who worked in all three remaining ‘houses’ on the campus proper: the Multicultural Education Center, Pollock Alumni House and the Oviatt House. Aside from the occasional critter visit … they are all so beautiful and full of character,” she said.

Today, Cotton offers warm greetings to UW Oshkosh alumni and community members visiting the Alumni Relations’ office on the second floor of the AWCC.

“As I reflect back on Linda’s career with UW Oshkosh, I am amazed at the institutional knowledge that she has brought to the Alumni Association and how much that is going to be missed,” Alumni Association President James Rath ’76 said. “Whether stopping in at our former digs or the current AWCC location, we were always greeted with a smile and a courteous response.”

Rath said Cotton always knew the answers to his questions.

“She made all of us look good because of her attention to detail,” he said. “UW Oshkosh and its nearly 87,000 alumni have been truly blessed by the presence of Mrs. Cotton and the effort she put in behind the scenes to help make the UW Oshkosh Alumni Association the award-winning organization that it is. Linda never seemed to have a bad day or a bad moment.”

UW Oshkosh Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Foundation President Art Rathjen said Cotton graciously handled every call and query from alumni. “To manage a great Alumni Office, you have to be willing to understand and appreciate that every person who calls or stops by needs to be served and have their questions or concerns addressed.”

Gantner, too, noted Cotton’s many attributes. “I will miss her caring spirit, can-do attitude and steadfast integrity. She has been a role model for me, our students and her colleagues.”

Cotton also made a big impact on the students who worked in Alumni Relations.

“By working with Linda, I learned to take pride in every job I face … big or small … to embrace my creative side and to always greet others with a warm heart,” said Stephanie Dercks ’12, of Madison. “Whether she was talking with alumni or sending me holiday wishes post-graduation, Linda proved to me that a simple hello can go a long way.”

Current UW Oshkosh student Megan Dalsing, of Dodgeville, who helps lead the Student Alumni Ambassadors in her STEP internship position, said working with Cotton is wonderful.

“As a college student, every day I get to walk into the office and see Linda’s smiling face,” Dalsing said. “It’s like going home to family. Linda is just a generous person who has always been there for me to talk to and have a good laugh with.”

No true picture of Cotton would be complete without mention of her deep faith.

Rath said, “I would be remiss if I did not mention how inspired I am with her spirituality and her trademark: ‘Perhaps Today.’ The more people we have at UW Oshkosh who emulate Linda Cotton, the better this institution will be.”

Cotton herself, perhaps, summed it up best.

“What I’ve enjoyed most is so cliché … it’s the people! In Colossians 3, it says …‘whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.’ These are good words to keep in mind for our ‘work life’. I can honestly say that I have worked ‘with’ and ‘for’ such kind, talented and wonderful people….and I know who to thank for that!”

Members of the greater campus community are invited to share their own memories and well wishes with Cotton in the comments below or by sending her an email greeting.