Bio

Southwestern College hired Shirlee in 1969 as a part-time secretary in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Athletic. In time she became a full-time secretary and an invaluable resource to the many directors and deans she helped to train with her wealth of knowledge of personnel, operational procedures, and budgetary process.

Her contributions and impact on students and faculty are mythic. She was very dedicated to doing the best job possible but expected the same from others. She always took the time to encourage and listen to anyone whole needed her, eating lunch at her desk and staying after hours to complete her work. She was a taskmaster, a therapist, a parent, a friend to all. Her quick with and raised eyebrow communicated more than a reprimand ever could. Who could forget Shirlee’s battle with her first computer. Her typewriter was second appendage that only she could align.

Shirlee Bonhag was a queen among us for so long. She will always be the most beloved person to grace our halls.