Coworkers celebrate 40 years of service together at Tennessee Tech
Former Tennessee Tech Director of Internal Audit Deanna Metts and Director of Grant
Accounting Gail Ligon.
When Deanna Metts and Gail Ligon began their Tennessee Tech careers in Internal Audit,
neither may have imagined they’d give 40 years of service to the university – but
they both celebrated that milestone at a recent ceremony for campus administrative
professionals.
Numerous campus professionals were awarded pins commemorating each five years of service
provided to the university – but no one else at this year’s ceremony surpassed the
terms of Ligon and Metts.
“It was the best job in the world,” said Metts, who served as Director of Internal
Audit beginning in October 1983. “No two days were alike, and there was always a puzzle
to figure out. I liked that aspect of the job–finding ways to help other departments
and make their work run more smoothly.”
Ligon, who was hired by Metts in February 1984, expressed a similar sentiment. “If
I had to sum up 40 years, I’d simply have to say that I’m blessed. How many people
can truly say they enjoy coming to work every day? I do, and I hope the work that
I love doing also makes the campus better.”
The two worked side-by-side in Internal Audit for more than 33 years, but after serving
as assistant director, Ligon eventually felt compelled to pursue another position
as an opportunity for professional development.
“It was hard to leave Internal Audit when I felt like I already worked for the best,
but I got to the point where I wanted the experience of initiating transactions, not
just auditing and investigating them,” she said.
In 2017, Ligon transitioned to Grant Accounting, where she now serves as Director.
For both, they witnessed remarkable changes in their time at Tech, most notably new
and updated campus architecture and meteoric technological growth. Their careers spanned
the leadership of five different Presidents: Arliss Roaden, Wallace Prescott, Angelo
Volpe, Bob Bell and current President Phil Oldham.
“Dr. Roaden introduced the first computers to campus. They were Rainbow personal computers,
and he and other President’s Office personnel were in the same introductory training
that I was,” Metts recalled. “The first computers on campus were a huge learning curve
for everyone. Of course, the technology has evolved dramatically since then.”
The two were still working together when Internal Audit moved from Derryberry Hall
to its current location in Foundation Hall.
“We had to clean out a storage room in Derryberry, and it was like opening up a time
capsule or a museum for Internal Audit,” Metts said with a laugh. “That room is probably
someone’s office now.”
While Metts retired earlier this year, Ligon said her role in Grant Accounting continues
to be enjoyable and challenging.
“Our workload has increased because research projects at the university have more
than doubled in five years,” she said – emphasizing what a positive trend that is.
“It’s rewarding to know the work of my office is helping the university’s research
programs thrive, and on a personal level, I enjoy building relationships with academic
departments,” Ligon said. “We help faculty keep track of the funding and accounting
for the grant projects they’ve been awarded, which further frees them up to focus
on conducting the work of their specific projects.”
Ligon also credits her success to the mentorship of both Metts and her current supervisor,
Emily Wheeler, associate vice president for business and fiscal affairs.
“I’ve improved because they both believed in me,” she said. “Deanna gave me my first
professional career-level job, and Emily’s positive encouragement has improved my
confidence.”
Her advice for long-term career success is simple: “Make the most of every day. Embrace
what the day brings with a good attitude and a positive work ethic.”
While Metts said she spent her first month of retirement relaxing and entertaining
friends and family during a beach visit, Ligon says retirement isn’t yet on her radar.
“I’ll just know when it’s time, and it’s not time yet,” she said.
