Schmidt and Ryan-Newton named
to permanent posts

by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

wo acting administrators in Auxiliary Services have received permanent appointment to their positions. Meredith Schmidt became director of Business and Facilities Services on Sept. 1, and Brenda Ryan-Newton became operations manager of Retail Food Services on Sept. 29.

     "We are very happy with the appointment," said Ashoke Ganguli, director of Auxiliary Services, of Ryan-Newton's new role managing $4 million in retail operations. "We went out nationally and looked for the best person. It was a logical fit. When she was a Dining Services manager, we would specifically get comments for her to cater events because people liked her work so much."

     "I like interacting with customers, trying to look forward toward future eating trends of customers, and improving the quality of service to our customers," Ryan-Newton said. "Working closely with student groups on campus and the campus offices we cater is important to me. I enjoy that a lot. There's a lot of new things out there. Hopefully, we'll do some good."

     "It's a pretty tough job," Ganguli said. "The toughest part is the financials. We have to meet the budget targets to move the service up to the next level. She'll also be a good person to change the culture of the retail food service organization."

     Ganguli also had high praise for Schmidt.

     "Meredith has been a wonderful, responsive, caring director. She's accountable, bright and extremely competent. Her greatest strength is building bridges with the various constituencies that use the Campus Center, highlighting especially her excellent relationship working with [Campus Activities Advising Center director] Delphine Quarles. A further testimony is she was awarded Administrator of the Year [by the Student Government Association]."

     Schmidt also received three other awards last year. The student businesses in the Campus Center/Student Union complex, ALANA Affairs, and the Student Government Association each gave her another award citing her support and service.

     "It's a very challenging position because it's so intertwined with everything that happens on campus," said Schmidt. "I'll depend on my colleagues all over campus, as well as students, for their feedback. I want to make sure everyone has a voice. The administration and campus activities work hand in hand now.

     "My vision is to try to balance the needs of the community and to strive to make the Campus Center a clean and comfortable place for people to come together for many different purposes. We've made great strides in the cleanliness area over the past couple of years."

     "Of all the directors I've had over the years, she's definitely the best," Ganguli said. "She works well with groups. Her staff respects her tremendously."