Cassandra (Cassi) Herr - First Sue Rauch Scholarship Recipient

As many of you know, the Sue Rauch Scholarship fund was established on the occasion of Sue's 50th Birthday in 2003. The fund has been growing steadily over the years and met it's endowment goal in 2009 - 2010. Once a scholarship fund reaches this level, an award can be made the following year.

I am pleased to share with you the news about the first Sue Rauch Scholarship recipient.

Cassi Herr - Willamette '14

"Cassandra (Cassi) Herr, the first recipient of the Sue Rauch Scholarship, is just completing her freshman year at Willamette where she plans to major in music performance (flute).

She hails from Manitowoc, WI, where she was raised primarily by her father.  She will return there over the summer and work full-time at a greenhouse/flower shop.  She also plans to do a lot of biking, hiking and canoeing.

Cassi would not have been able to attend Willamette without substantial financial
assistance. The Sue Rauch Scholarship will help her to continue her studies at Willamette.

Cassi came to the Relay for Life to meet Sue's parents and friends who were walking
in honor of Sue.  She loved meeting everyone, "especially Sue's parents", and feels she has a better idea how beloved Sue was."

Many generous memorial gifts were received for the Sue Rauch Scholarship fund. These gifts have contributed to establishing an even stronger base of endowment for the scholarship. This is exciting news for students like Cassi who need a little extra help to make their dreams a reality.

In Dedication to Sue

The daffodils are in full bloom and the tulips are starting to make their appearance.  I was thinking of Sue this weekend as her birthday came and went, and I figured it was high time I submitted something to the blog.  Sue played an integral role in several chapters of my life.  The first chapter was as a junior in high school and a prospective student to Willamette.  I felt very special to have been asked to interview with WU - I was the only person I knew who was being asked to interview at a college or university.  I don't really remember the interview, all I know is that once it was over, I was sold on WU and could not wait to go.  As a senior, I visited the campus, staying overnight and attending classes.  I met with Sue again during this visit and my devotion to WU was solidified.  I don't remember interacting with Sue while I was a student at Willamette, but just before graduation I was talked into applying for an Admission Counselor position and was hired - my relationship with Sue was only just beginning.  

I spent two years in the Admission office - together with the travel and application reviews, there were a lot of laughs and pranks. I will never forget the fabulous treats that Louise would make or the "hairy-licker" that we used to seal envelopes.  At the time, my mom was really into making vests - especially themed vests to wear for every holiday. The office got a kick out of them, so my mom made all the women in the office vests for Christmas one year, and for Jim Sumner, the lone male, a tie.   When my mom came to visit, it was agreed that everyone would wear their vest to work (even though it was not Christmas) - and Sue even had Hank wear one to show his appreciation.  

Sue served as a mentor to me as I made the transition from a Willamette coed to Willamette professional.  She was also someone I enjoyed spending social time with.  I particularly enjoyed the day trips to the beach to let Hank run around in the surf - I remember her telling me how she would drive out to the beach even in bad weather, just to watch the waves pound on the shore. And I always enjoyed sharing a meal with her at Goudy (watching, amazed, as she did the NY Times crossword in pen) or a cup of coffee at the Bistro. 

As others have mentioned in their blog entries, Sue was such a loyal and devoted friend.  I decided during my second year in Admissions to apply to join the Peace Corps.  Near my birthday in April 2000, I found out that I had been accepted and would be moving to Tanzania in East Africa. For my birthday that year, Sue and my mom conspired to make me a cake and surprise me at work.  What a surprise it was!  Sue decorated it as she imagined the wilds of Africa must look like - calling me the "African Queen".  Thinking about it still brings a smile to my face.  She also let me live with her for a couple of weeks when I had no housing just before I left for Peace Corps.  While I was gone she would write me letters or send emails - always filling me in on the gossip back at Willamette.  Hank and I shared a birthday - he always sent me a birthday card while I was away.  After having been gone for a couple of years, I came home for a short visit and Sue threw a BBQ so I could see a lot of familiar faces all in one place - what a treat that was after so much time away!  

When I got engaged Sue expressed her excitement over the phone.  When I got married, she and Teresa Hudkins came to Reno to attend the event.  When I was expecting my first child, I got a call from Sue one day who wanted to see how the pregnancy was doing.  She said she had been at the doctor and could hear through the wall a fetal monitor being used on an expectant mother and said she thought of me.  When I was on maternity leave, and she was undergoing treatment for the cancer, she and I spoke on the phone a few times - I always found comfort in her voice so many miles away.

It saddens me that my daughter Grace never got to meet Sue. However, I am grateful that Grace got to attend the memorial service with my husband and I, meeting so many wonderful people who have been influential in my life and important to Sue. I do know that I will have a wonderful time sharing my memories of Sue with Grace as she grows older.

In dedication to Sue I have made a couple of decisions:
1. I will continue to take notes in a journal and not a pad of paper;
2. From now on I will take my birthday off from work;
3. I will hold a "Kiss the Summer Good-bye" party each fall; and
4. I will live life to the fullest - always remembering to laugh a lot and out loud.

Thank you Sue for your friendship, laughter, and memories. 
I miss you dearly, 


Tara Graham
Student, Colleague and Friend