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Information Technology Services Production and Data Services Manager Margaret (Peggy) Flibotte held the type of behind-the-scenes role that is essential to keeping operations running smoothly at the University.
Flibotte’s job responsibilities included setting up, executing and monitoring University business processes. These business processes affect numerous divisions at BC, including Student Services, Admission, Finance, Human Resources and University Advancement. She was responsible for some 2,500 reports that are generated every night.
After a dedicated 44-year career at Boston College, she retired on Sept. 30.
“Peggy is one of the unsung heroes of Boston College,” said Leo Chaharyn, technical director for ITS Systems & Operations Management. “Her job has required her to know intricate details of the work that ITS does daily to keep the University running.
“She makes this look amazingly easy,” added Chaharyn. “Her quiet, confident style will truly be missed.”
“Peggy is an incredibly dependable and productive professional,” said Vice President for Information Technology Michael Bourque. “She has been responsive to all sorts of technical needs at any time of day or night. We could always count on her.”
Flibotte had been a part of ITS’ Production Services since 1987. When she first began in her post, the work was entirely a hands-on job. “Operators had to touch every job at least three times during the night, set up and monitor it, take action and read documentation,” she recalled.
Flibotte managed the evolution of BC’s production scheduling operation from a time-consuming manual process to an efficient, reliable automated system. “It was amazing when production first went [computerized],” she said.
Flibotte also oversaw the bulk e-mails sent out by the University and position-based security. “There is a security map tied to each position, so when someone leaves the University, they lose the access and when someone goes into the position, they gain the access.”
She began her career at the Heights in December of 1968, after a friend of hers who worked at BC suggested she take a job at the University. Her first job was in the computer room in Gasson Hall. She took some time off when she had her son and then returned to work at the Controller’s Office.
Flibotte was part of the Controller’s Office for 17 years, serving as manager of financial systems. She oversaw the transition from keypunch machines to an online system.
Despite the technological advances, Flibotte stressed that the need for good communication is one thing that has not changed. “It’s still important that everyone keeps everyone in the loop.”
Asked what she liked most about working at BC, Flibotte responded, “I love the feeling at BC, the sense of community. I feel very grateful that I always got to do what I was good at. The people I work with are great. The people in the administrative offices are so knowledgeable.”
Though she is looking forward to doing some traveling now that she has retired, Flibotte says she will miss campus life. “Come the fall, it feels so good when you hear the band playing and it’s the start of school. I’ll miss that.”