Campus, News

BU Community Service Center director says goodbye

On Friday, Lindsey Kotowicz left her office at Boston University Community Service Center for the last time. The CSC director worked with countless students and programs during her eight years at BU.

“It was a very, very difficult decision, one that I still go back and forth on even today,” she said. “My students can tell you there were many tears shed. And in many ways I didn’t want to leave. It’s just a difficult job.”

Kotowicz said the small number of coordinators at the CSC left her occupied with 60 to 100 hour workweeks.

“That is very difficult to deal with, with two young children,” she said. “That’s ultimately the decision it came down to, working late, late hours, not sleeping a lot and wanting to spend as much time at work as I do with my family. I wanted to find a bit of a better balance.”

The CSC’s assistant director, Orpheo Speer, joined Kotowicz in 2009. At that point, Kotowicz stepped into her role as the CSC’s director.

“We really enjoyed her time here in the CSC,” Speer said. “She was greatly appreciated by all and was one of the best mentors anyone could ever ask for. Her impact will be felt for many generations to come.”

Kotowicz said her responsibilities as director of the CSC change from year to year.

“I tend to be the kind of person that puts 110 percent in,” she said. “I wish I had some interesting story or some crazy reason why I left. I loved it, I still love it, I very much think of it as my second home. And it’s still very emotional for me to even not be there.”

College of Arts and Sciences senior Deana Gordon, program manager of the CSC’s Student Studio, said Kotowicz would be deeply missed.

“Lindsey had a great eight years here, and we appreciate all that she has done for the CSC,” she said.

Kotowicz said the CSC’s achievements were largely rooted in the students who working and volunteer at the center.

“The CSC functions as well as it does because of all of them,” she said. “It really is the students that are the heart of the Center, and they inspire me. They’re the reason I’ve stayed for as many years as I have and they are also the reason why it was so difficult to leave. I strongly believe in what they do.”

Kotowicz said though she wants to concentrate on spending time with her family, she may eventually pursue another career.

“I want to find something for that next chapter of my life that will be just as great, maybe in a different way,” she said. “Ideally, in a perfect world, it would be part-time … I have a three-year-old and a one-year-old so they certainly occupy a lot of the time. And it’s a wonderful time, but I think it’s nice to have that other outlet as well.”

CAS senior Michelle Abou-Raad, program manager of the Empowerment League, said he and his fellow program managers would miss Kotowicz.

“She has now taken a different direction,” he said. “We wish her all the best and support her wholeheartedly in her new endeavors.”

Kotowicz advised her students to continue to serve the Boston community and the world at large.

“I miss everyone and thank [them] for the many years of impressing me with all the wonderful things a BU student can do,” she said. “You guys are a really particular, awesome type of student that you don’t find everywhere and I think that’s really special. Places like the Community Service Center really allow that type of student to shine.”

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