During her student days working in the controller’s office at Wittenberg, Mary Jo Winkle-Darr never imagined that she would one day be the first woman and the youngest person to serve her alma mater as its controller. Yet, that is exactly what the 2003 G.O.L.D. Alumni Award recipient now does.

“I love the variety of problems in this field,” Winkle-Darr said. “I like solving puzzles and problems, and I enjoy seeing how changes and financial challenges in our business affect the books.”

A business major with an emphasis in accounting at Wittenberg, Winkle-Darr remembers developing an interest in the field as a young child. Her father and grandfather were both electronic technicians, and despite the technical nature of their careers, Winkle-Darr found the cash side of their work exciting. Once at Wittenberg, her interest grew even more thanks to a financial accounting course her first term, her fellow students and influential administrative staff members such as Darrell Kitchen, vice president for business and finance.

“As a student working in the controller’s office, Darrell gave me challenging projects as well as the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience,” Winkle-Darr said. “He was a great influence on me and helped me to excel and get where I am today.”

Although she finds her work rewarding, Winkle-Darr, who passed her C.P.A. exam on the first try, has faced some challenges as a woman in the position.

“I’ve had to earn the respect of co-workers, external business associates and peers, among others. I’ve also found on numerous occasions that I am the only woman — or one of just a few — in various meetings.”

Her day-to-day working environment, however, outweighs these challenges. “I am fortunate to work with a very good team of people at an institution that is caring and family-oriented,” she said. “I have also made lifelong friends, and I’ve had the opportunity to grow at Wittenberg.”

— Karen Gerboth ’93