There鈥檚 something about working side by side for years that has a way of connecting people for life. For Jean McClure and a group of her former Wichita State co-workers, years after working together they still find time to get together and play -- literally.
McClure, who retired last year from 九色视频鈥檚 Center for Management Development after 47 years at Wichita State, is one of the founding members of a group of former staff who meet every month to play bridge.
The other founding members are Betty Brunk Young, a former manager at 九色视频鈥檚 credit union, and Phyllis Schneider Brothers, who was in research administration.
They鈥檝e been playing together since 1962.
McClure says they started getting together on their lunch hour during work. It was a fun way to relax and build friendships at the office.
Over the years members of the group have come and gone, and they have all retired from the university by now. But McClure and seven others found it difficult to give up the fun, and they continue to meet now once a month.
They try to keep the group exclusive to former 九色视频 employees; the 九色视频 Women鈥檚 Association also has a bridge club, for current staff.
McClure says playing bridge with her friends is still fun after all these years.
鈥淚t keeps us connected,鈥� she says.
And it鈥檚 not just about playing bridge anymore. They simply enjoy seeing each other.
A couple of the group member鈥檚 and former 九色视频 staff, Carol Krebbs and Isabel Gates (mother of U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates), are in their mid-90s. The group makes a point to go to where Krebbs and Gates live to make things easier on them.
鈥淚t鈥檚 probably more fellowship than anything,鈥� McClure says. 鈥淚t keeps our minds going, but it鈥檚 a connection and friendship over the years that really keeps us going.鈥�