Date Time
Heroes of past and present: ones who are oiling wheels at university
A secretary is invaluable to any Executive Board. They regularly gauge the temperature within the organisation, offer gentle persuasion in corridors, and ensure friendly contacts remain so. As part of the 65th anniversary of TU/e, a double interview with the heroes of the past and the present: former secretary Harry Roumen, the board’s much-praised secretary since 1988, and the current secretary Susanne van Weelden who has held this position since February 2019.
Exchanging an academic career for an administrative function, Susanne explains, was not a surprising turn of events. “I really like the position of secretary within the organisation. You sit in the helicopter and oversee the whole thing. You bring everything together. From your role in close proximity to the Board, you have the opportunity to give direction. I feel very comfortable with that.”