The Class Notes queen has left the building

Twenty years ago, when I started working at the University of Dayton, Jeaneen Parsons was introduced to me as the person who knew everything. I sat near her desk in the Office of Public Relations, as we were then known, and would marvel at the advice she dispensed to anyone in need of anything — how to work the typewriter, where the Static Guard was stored, when to excoriate a serial comma.

If you have questions, Jeaneen can answer them, I was told.

At that time, she had been working at UD for five years and already was recognized as royalty, the Class Notes queen. Class Notes — the section of UD Magazine where alumni share milestones and memories important to them — is the best-read section of the magazine. During her reign, Jeaneen fawned over every Flyer baby birth, celebrated reunions with housemates, and encouraged brides and grooms to send her their wedding photos. A Flyer once called her to share news of his broken engagement — even before he told his no-longer-to-be-bride. And she carefully read every Flyer’s obituary. “I may be the last person to ever read this,” she said. “It has to count.”

Just as Jeaneen knows the answer to every question, she can do just about every task that gets thrown her way. Over the years, she has:

• Coordinated and art directed photos shoots — always with an extra UD sweatshirt at the ready to achieve maximum Flyer spirit.
• Collaborated with offices across campus to ensure their printed communications are peerless.
• Negotiated with printers — and become such good friends with one that we all enjoyed free Friday bagels and donuts for years.
• Welcomed our student writers and instructed them in the art of alumni conversation.

Jeaneen is an amazing writer, a careful proofreader and a great brainstormer of stories that are fun and lively and inspiring. She’s a wonderful colleague and friend. And now, she is retired.

Her most recent job description as UD Magazine’s production director included about 32 different skills. Our plan — not to replace Jeaneen, but simply to continue completing all her duties — will require four existing employees plus a new hire.

Jeaneen is irreplaceable, incomparable, priceless — the queen.

So my final question to her is, “What are we going to do without you?”

Thank you for everything, Jeaneen. Enjoy time with your family. We miss you already.

 Photos by Gabriela Bott ’25