Claudette Jenkins: 1954-2019

by Jeanette Grider on 09/26/2019

09/26/2019

Claudette Jenkins, an administrative assistant for more than two decades at the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business, died Saturday, Sept. 21. She was 64.

Jenkins joined the staff of Saint Louis University in 1985 as an administrative assistant to the largest department in the business school. At that time, the Department of Decision and Management included five de facto divisions – decision sciences, management, business law, entrepreneurship and information systems management -- with more than 25 faculty members.

Ik-Whan Kwon, Ph.D., said Jenkins brought strength, dedication and energy to her work and to the students.

Kwon, who is the founder of SLU’s Center for Supply Chain Excellence, said Jenkins played a crucial role in successfully assisting the opening of the Center in 1999 and in helping maintain the program’s top 25 U.S. News ranking, which continues today.

“Ms. Jenkins was dedicated, hardworking and caring from Day 1 (November 1, 1985), Kwon said. “Her primary attention was always the students in almost any area, making certain those needing help would get it. She went beyond her duty to make students feel they were an important part of this community. She was dedicated to the department, school and SLU. She carried out her job with a positive attitude everywhere that made the department bright and fun to be around.”

"That dedication assured opening day on June 28 would go smoothly without any hitches,” Kwon said. “Her legacy helped put the Center on a solid foundation. When she decided to retire from SLU in 2007, we said goodbye to a dedicated colleague and great friend but her footprints are still visible in the Center’s work today. She will be sorely missed by us all.”

Jenkins is survived by a daughter, Tamara Jenkins, of Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 28, at Saints Teresa and Bridget Catholic Church, 2401 North Grand, St. Louis, Missouri 63106, with the funeral service and repast immediately following.