Marsha “Lynn” Ray, associate chair for administration in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, has announced her plans to retire at the end of 2022 following 46 years of service.
Ray currently oversees the department’s human resources, pre- and post-award contract and grant accounting, graduate and post-doctoral training and education, development and public relations, and facility and equipment maintenance.
“Lynn has been a driving force in the Department for more than 15 years. Her dedication has always been evident in her willingness to go way above and beyond expectations,” Department Chair Jean Cook, PhD, said. “As one recent example, she was the one person on site to manage the department during the COVID-19 disruptions. Her deep institutional knowledge and amazing efficiency will be missed.”
In 2021, Ray earned a Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics Staff Excellence Award for going above and beyond in supporting her department. In 2013, she received the Staff of the Year Award and in 2012 was selected as the University Managers Association Manager of the Year for her career accomplishments.
“Lynn has meant so much to everyone in the department,” said Brian Strahl, recent interim chair of the department. “Her excellent leadership and ability to handle any type of issue has been key to the success of our faulty, students and staff. Lynn was endlessly dedicated to everyone’s success and we will greatly miss her.”
A search committee will come together to review applications for the position of director of finance and administration to take on this leadership role.