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by Cindy Abole
Public Relations
She's MUSC's version of City of Charleston's Office of Cultural Affairs director Ellen Dressler Moryl, famed Kennedy White House social secretary Letitia Baldridge and Hollywood events planner Cheryl Cecchetto. Whatever the occasion, Susan Master, director of special events, brings her own brand of organization, resourcefulness and charm to every event she's involved in.
Special events director Susan Master has been at MUSC since 1996.
In Colcock Hall's lobby, guests arriving at a private honorary degree award event were greeted and presented with name tags before enjoying a lunch reception. The area was adorned with vases of fresh flowers and the strains of live music from a string quartet. These details may have been taken for granted by the 70 guests and honoree who attended the reception last March, but it was a visible reminder of Master's concept and touch.
With a variety of events and activities, Master is a pre-planner and pays close attention to specifics whether she's coordinating details for an intimate gathering of a select few or event planning for the masses.
Since her arrival to MUSC in 1996, Master has emerged as the campus' authority on event planning and organization.
She's left her handiwork in dozens of activities from receptions, retirements, dedications and celebrations for students, faculty, alumni and community members. Master also plans and supports events under the Development Office and Office of the President with activities such as the board of trustees meetings, Presidential Scholars receptions, MUSC commencements and other gatherings.
In each of her jobs, she's exhibited a depth of knowledge and experience that she's gained in her 28 years as an events organizer and planner. She's a creative multi-tasker and negotiator who's flexible, level-headed and passionate about her work.
Leah Greenberg, wife of MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., is an Women's Club member and considers Master a good friend. "Susan is so good at what she does. She's organized, friendly, diplomatic, professional and fun to be around. She has an ability to see things beyond everyone's scope and can adjust to make everything go seamless. She possesses skills and talent that go beyond the norm."
A Pennsylvania native, Master got her professional start in hospitality and event planning at Penn State University's Nittany Lion Inn. There, she helped plan university events such as receptions, dinners and private parties. She credits Fran Levin, director of sales of the Penn State University Conference Inn, for guiding her career and mentorship. During a positive employee review, Levin told Master to be open in receiving critical feedback from others.
In 1995, she and husband, Michael, craved a change in their lives and searched for a place to relocate on the East Coast. After much debate and research, they moved to Charleston. The pair was attracted to the Lowcountry's beaches as well as the arts and culture scene. Wanting to return to work in a university setting, she worked from 1996 to 1997 in the Institute of Psychiatry and from 1997 to 1999 in the College of Graduate Studies. When she applied to work as a special events assistant working with the Office of the President's Pam DeFratus, she returned to something she loved.
"I was so grateful to many wonderful friends and colleagues, many who were women, who believed in me and encouraged me to apply for jobs and make choices that helped me in my career. I feel so fortunate to be doing what I do every day," she said.
Master feels her hard work reaches beyond organizing an event and setting up for a meal. She believes her involvement is part of a larger creative process. Master feels her events bring people and ideas together, generate important discussions and promote the work and preparation of future doctors, nurses, researchers and health professionals. "It's about people coming together and forming valuable, sustainable relationships," she said.
Despite an erratic schedule, long hours of pre-planning and the challenge of dealing with the unexpected, Master finds time to be a year-round mentor to hospitality and tourism students from the College of Charleston. As a one-person operation working out of a small office on the edge of the MUSC campus, she's demonstrated her resourcefulness by working with interns to teach them her craft and hone their skills through real-world experiences.
"Working with interns is one of the best rewards of my job. They learn the values of building good organizational skills, networking and time management. Their experiences provide valuable feedback to our work. It's their contributions that support the greater good of the university," she said.
Aside from supporting the arts and other volunteering, Master counts her time spent with the MUSC Women's Club as an important balance in her life. The club continues to be an active group at MUSC and in the community. Master, who has been a member since 2000, values the service work, activities and fellowship offered through the organization. From 2004 to 2005, she served as the club's president and worked to restructure it by expanding membership to include female faculty, professional and administrative staff.
"This group has been so supportive to me both personally and professionally. As president, I never worked harder in my life, but loved every second of it."
Outside of the office and away from phones, Master enjoys her down time by reading, watching movies, riding her bike around Charleston's streets and walking her dogs around Colonial Lake. She's mom to her basset hounds, Gaylord and Mr. Ripley, and an active member of the Carolina Basset Hound Rescue League.
Asked if she'd ever consider working for herself, she hesitates and smiles. She genuinely loves her work and being within an office environment versus working independently or with hotel management.
"I love the balance that MUSC provides," she said. "I think it suits me well and allows me to thrive and grow in different ways professionally that I'm happy with."
Editor's note: In honor of National Women's History Month, The Catalyst will feature women who are making a difference at MUSC.
Friday,
March 8, 2013
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