Someone You Should Know

Karen Blaser, word processing supervisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, joined NIU in 1971 as extra help. She moved to the dean's office in 1972, and the following May took charge of the Manuscript Services office. She retires July 1, 2002.

What are the responsibilities of your position?
I prepare camera-ready research manuscripts and books for faculty in the college. I have to work closely with publishers to follow their guidelines for layout of the books and manuscripts. I also work on academic program reviews, working closely with the assistant to the dean in the preparation of these reviews.

How did you choose your profession?
I have worked with computers since 1968 when I was treasurer of the Sycamore School District and worked on a bookkeeping computer. I really enjoy the challenge.

What's the best part about your job?
I enjoy learning new software applications. I do not like the computer to outsmart me.

What's something unique about your position?
I am able to work on my own and set my own priorities as long as I meet publishers' deadlines. Also, I meet a lot of interesting faculty members in the college and have made many friends over the years.

If you weren't in your current job field, what would you be doing?
I would be knitting, spinning wool into yarn on an old-fashioned spinning wheel or playing the piano. The history department at DeKalb High School just made a video of me spinning wool into yarn, and it was shown to all the history classes. After retiring, I will expand my craft business in which I sell handmade items at Gift `N Crafters Nook in Sycamore, Amana Woolen Mills in Amana, Iowa, and the Iowa Visitors Center in Bettendorf, Iowa.

What are you reading?
The Cat Who ... mysteries by Lilian Jackson Braun. Also, I am reading the Jessica Fletcher mysteries.

What music are you listening to lately?
I particularly enjoy classical, hymns and old-time country-western music from the 1940s through the 1960s.

What good movies have you seen lately?
I don't go to the movies very often, but I do buy videos and watch movies on TV. The two that I have enjoyed most recently are "October Sky" and "The Princess Diaries."

Do you have a favorite TV show?
I like "The Court" and "First Monday," both of which are about the Supreme Court. I also enjoy "The West Wing" and "Law and Order."

Any words to live by?
The Golden Rule.