Retiree gets surprise musical treat

Lynn Wloszek

A Printing Services employee got an unexpected surprise for her retirement
– three songs performed just for her by the CMU Marching Band.

“I’m just overwhelmed,” said Jean Blubaugh, Printing Services senior specialist
clerk, after the band played the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody” Monday.

Band Director James Batcheller organized the performance. He said Blubaugh
has been a major help when he needed last minute handouts printed for marching
band formations.

“Sometimes that has to happen with no more notice than a few minutes,”
he said. “Jean’s been a big part of that for a long time. She’s such a dear,
sweet lady.”

He said Blubaugh’s friendliness and excellent service made him want to pay tribute to her through the songs.

“That was very good,” she said as the band finished playing.

She said she has watched the band practice outside her office for many years.

“I would never expect something like this,” she said. “That was just awesome; it was really a treat.”

In Printing Services, Blubaugh received customers’ orders and worked with
them on the printing jobs, said Rhonda Kohler, University Printing Services
director.

“She’s the first contact and the last contact,” she said. “She takes customer
service to the max, and that’s why the CMU marching band wanted to do this.
It was their idea.”

Blubaugh completed her last day Tuesday after working at CMU for 33 years, with the last 13 in Printing Services.

Kohler said she remembers the customers’ favorite foods and desserts and would make them to go with the completed orders.

“I’m really sad to see her go,” she said.

Because everything that is printed on campus went through her office, Blubaugh said she always knew what events were going on.

She said she will not only miss knowing what’s going on, but also will miss helping the customers.

“That’s the fun part, working with the customers,” she said.

She said the variety of faculty, staff and students always were great
to work with, but she has plans to keep busy during her retirement.

“I still will have a garden and spend time with my family,” she said.

Jean’s husband Jerry Blubaugh said he and his wife live on a farm in Shepherd
with a garden that covers one acre of their property. He said she always
gives most of the food away and will continue to do this.

“That’s her therapy. She hates to see the garden go,” he said.

Her husband said she probably will do volunteer work and spend more time with her grandchild as well.