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Schluterman Loved Coming to Work for Past 33 Years

May 10, 2023
By Larry Isch
Posted in About
Karen Schluterman

In a 33-year career at University of the Ozarks that started as a secretary in the Business Office and culminated as the director of human resources, one thing has always remain consistent for Karen Schluterman:

“I honestly have always loved my job and coming to work,” she said.

Schluterman will retire at the end of June after 33 years at Ozarks. She started in September of 1990 as an accounts payable/secretary in the Business Office and also held positions of assistant controller and senior accountant and human resources director. She was named the University’s first director of human resources in July of 2016.

“I am just happy that I was offered a position at Ozarks 33 years ago and it has been the most rewarding career for me,” she said. “I have so much respect for so many people who I had the opportunity to work with and the close relationships we formed. I had great leadership and supervisors and worked with people in all areas who influenced me and I learned from day in and day out.”

Despite a busy work schedule, Schluterman found time to complete her bachelor’s degree while working at Ozarks. She had an associate’s degree in secretarial science from Arkansas Tech when she arrived at Ozarks.

“I graduated in 1976 from high school, graduated from Arkansas Tech in 1978 and got married, and worked at the Logan County Bank in Scranton for 12 years,” she said. “When I took this new job at Ozarks, I was naturally more mature and realized what getting a bachelor’s degree could mean, so I was excited for the opportunity.  It was a long drawn-out process, one class a semester. Towards the end, I took a couple of summer classes and directed study classes to get finished. I remember lots of late-night homework sessions after the kids were in bed and I had to be really disciplined in making my studies a priority. Getting good grades was a must. I always appreciated the opportunity that I had to take time away from my work to attend a class and the support I received.”

When she graduated from U of O in 2003, her daughter, Shelly, was also graduating from college at UA-Fort Smith, one son, Brandon, was attending U of O, and youngest son, Britt, was in high school.

“My daughter and I actually graduated on the same day at the same time at two different places,” she said. “We all celebrated together after.”

When Schluterman was asked in 2016 to help establish the University’s first full-time human resources office, she was up for the task.

“It was a challenge, and sometimes I wish I was younger and could do it again; they always say you learn as you grow,” she said. “I would probably manage a few things differently, but it has been a special role and I feel humbled that I was ask to consider the position and that I received the opportunity.  I am also so grateful for the trust and guidance I received as I worked through so much of it.  I feel there are things that can still make it better and I am excited to see where the new director takes it.”

Schluterman, who was named the recipient of the 1997 Alvin C. Broyles Outstanding Support Staff Award and the 2020 Alvin C. Broyles Outstanding Staff Award, said there are many things she will miss about Ozarks, mostly the people.

“There have been so many friends I have made, some have moved on, but I am still in contact with them,” she said. “I will miss the students you meet and see grow and develop and then read about their successes in the real world and know you maybe had a small part in that. I will cherish the charitable work, such as the birthday calendar, Angel Tree and Breast Cancer Awareness, that we did as UOW (University of the Ozarks Women). Seeing the ever-changing landscape as buildings were razed and new ones made has also been memorable. I will definitely miss my colleagues.  I don’t  go anywhere that someone doesn’t greet you, wave, or stop and visit with you. We all care about each other.”

Schluterman and her husband, John, will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary in October.  She said she has many plans for retirement and looks forward to the flexibility and opportunity to make them happen.

“I definitely want to spend more time with family and friends, especially our precious six grandkids. They are growing up too fast and I love being involved with their activities,” she said. “I also want to be more physically active.  I have done a lot of sitting at a desk, so gardening,  flowerbeds,  walking and hiking are all in the plans. Also traveling, relaxing, and reading. And, I am sure I will be helping on the farm.  My husband tells me he is going to teach me to drive the tractor.”

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