Honoree-
Elizabeth Bruce

Elizabeth Bruce, better know as Betty, has always had a great zest for living and a tremendous sense of adventure. These qualities have been apparent throughout her life and her long career. During the 1930s, when most women were concentrating solely on marriage and homemaking, Betty was editing her high school newspaper, trying out for free-style swimming in the 1936 Olympics, earning her degree from Brooklyn College, attending Katherine Gibbs secretarial school and landing a top job at Sperry Gyroscope. In 1942, she married Robert Bruce Jr. (now deceased) and raised four wonderful children.

Ms. Bruce worked part time from 1973-1975 for an environmental firm located in the lone office on the second floor of University Center. In late 1975, Chancellor Albert Bush-Brown asked her to work full time in his office and she accepted. She managed this job, with its myriad duties, for ten years — then three more years with President Steinberg when he came on board — retiring in 1987. Her retirement was short-lived. In 1990, she was asked to return to work in the president’s office, where she has remained ever since. Ms. Bruce, who covers the phones, relays the messages, files the memos, logs and distributes the mail and handles a gamut of budget requests, serves as Gail Allan’s (page 17) right hand, keeping the office efficiently humming.

When she “retired” in 1987, she was presented with a Long Island University rocking chair for her years of excellent service. She loves her rocking chair, but it is 11 years and counting since her comeback. Her work schedule and her love of travel, swimming and reading keep her very busy, leaving her little time to rock.

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