At the end of March, the Thomas College community says goodbye to Leta Bilodeau after more than 10 years. Leta served as the Executive Assistant / Office Manager for the Office of the President.
Over the course of her tenure, Leta became an integral part of the daily operations and culture of Thomas College, serving as both a key pillar within the President’s Office and a trusted resource for the broader campus community. In a role that often required balancing competing priorities and responding to evolving needs, she brought a steady presence, sharp attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the institution. Beyond her responsibilities, Leta’s presence helped shape the tone of the office itself – welcoming, composed, and grounded, leaving a lasting imprint on colleagues and visitors alike.
Here is what colleagues had to say about her:
“Throughout my time at Thomas College, Leta has been a consistent, steady, and trusted presence. She approaches each day with kindness, humor, and an unwavering willingness to help others. Despite the many challenges we navigated together over the years, I could always count on Leta to bring grace, professionalism, and a sense of calm that grounded both me and those around her. I will miss her greatly, and I wish her all the very best in her retirement.” – Bob Field, VP of Enrollment and Marketing
“For the majority of my time at Thomas, Leta was the friendly face and the calming voice of the President’s Office. No matter who called or came through the door – students, parents, faculty, staff, or trustees, donors, business or political leaders – she welcomed all with dignity and grace. It’s hard to describe the breadth and depth of relationships she formed and the impact she had – as so many people came to her for guidance, support, or comfort through life’s inevitable ups and downs. I will be forever grateful for her service, friendship, and sage advice through some of the college’s greatest challenges.” –Laurie G. Lachance, President Emerita
“Your poise, dedication, and unwavering commitment have been the quiet force behind so many of our successes. You’ve supported the President’s Office with grace, wisdom, and excellence. Thank you for the countless moments you made smoother, the challenges you resolved before anyone else even noticed them, and the calm you brought to even the most chaotic days. Thomas will miss your professionalism, your kindness, and your superpower-level ability to know where every document, person, and crisis was at all times.” – Jan Landry, Student Affairs Administrative Assistant
“Working with Leta over the last decade, I’ve always appreciated her no nonsense and direct nature. She gets things done, is easy to collaborate with, and has a wonderful, dry sense of humor. On a more personal note, after returning to work from maternity leave, Leta was someone I could visit to talk about it. She would share her stories of long ago also being a working mom – and the difficulties and joys that come with it. She always made me feel understood and made me laugh with her stories about the wild ride that is motherhood.” – MacKenzie Riley Young, AVP of Marketing & Communications
We’ll miss you, Leta! Good luck in retirement.