Spider Spotlight: A Q&A with Liz Chenery Manager, Conferences and Camps

Liz Chenery, manager of conferences and camps (r.), coordinates thousands of visitors to campus each summer. Her liaison in the athletic department is LeRee Sugg, (l.), assistant athletic director.

By Lia Tremblay
Writer/Editor, University Communications

Tell me about your position.
I handle the camps and conferences that are hosted between the latter part of May and Aug. 2. During that time, we’ll see thousands of people come and go. We have our coaches’ sports camps, Special Olympics Virginia and a variety of academic-affiliated programming. It requires extensive planning with other departments. It’s like a giant puzzle to put together with a lot of crazy pieces, especially considering the summer is the time to get facilities ready for the fall semester. It couldn’t be done without so many people’s communication and understanding.

How long have you worked at Richmond?
I’ve been here since September of 1991. My father was a student here, so as soon as I stepped onto the campus I felt right at home. I started in the dining hall, working as office support. I worked events part time for catering. From there, I moved to University Events in 1994 and then to this position in 1998.

You’ve spent some time as a student here as well?
Yes, I started working on my bachelor’s degree here in 1993. After 12 years, my son and I were able to graduate in the same ceremony! I’m in the graduate program now, working on a master’s degree in history. The 19th century is my primary focus. I’m working on my thesis now, on Virginia’s 19th century membership in the House of Representatives.

Where are you from?
I grew up in Ashland.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Several things. I thoroughly enjoy having a student staff. Their energy and enthusiasm are contagious. They enjoy being ambassadors of the University and taking ownership of their responsibilities. I feel very fortunate that so many of them continue to stay in contact with me—I’m talking as far back as 1996 staff.

I also enjoy having colleagues across campus who understand the camps and conferences’ mission. There are people in some departments that come through over and over again. They know the hours the student managers and I put in, and what is involved in taking care of the programming logistics.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
Teaching. I think I would enjoy teaching history to older students. After that, I’d move on to selling bait and tackle at a fishing pier.

Tell me about your family.
My son, Peter, is 26 and works as the night restaurant and bar manager at the Blockade Runner resort in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. My daughter, Whitfield, is 22. She graduated last May from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia and is working with Capital One as a financial analyst in bank integration in Richmond and McLean. And my dogs: Thatcher, Ranger and Reilly, all adopted from the Henrico Humane folks.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love going to the Rappahannock or the beach. Fishing or sailing, as long as it’s salt water!