Member profile: Peggy Rinard

Job title: Communications Director, College of Biological
Sciences

Which
means: I'm responsible for communications planning, messages from the dean, media
relations, print and electronic communications, and communications support for
development and student services. And I couldn't do it without Stephanie Xenos, my
multi-talented and very patient assistant director.

I have been
at the University since: 1991

Areas of
expertise: planning, science writing and editing

Why my job
matters to my unit and to the University: to help the public understand the
value of biological research for addressing global problems like climate
change, loss of biodiversity, replacing petroleum with clean, renewable
energy, and finding cures for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Can you tell us about a recent project or activity in which you (and colleagues)
have creatively solved a communication challenge on a tight budget?: We
converted our print magazine, BIO, to a web-based newsletter and created an
annual publication for donors to supplement it. The conversion was based on
research showing that our readers are most interested in research news, so that's
the focus on the e-newsletter. The print pub provides more in depth features
about students and alumni for our donor audience.

Professional
communicators are important to the University's mission because: We explain the
value of the University as a research institution to legislators, voters, and
other constituents and persuade them to invest in the U.

Family members: husband, Gary, daughters Emily (22) and
Elisabeth (20). Emily just graduated from Drake University with a graphic
design degree (and is looking for freelance work.) Elisabeth is a junior at UW
Eau Claire, where she is majoring in environmental geography. She plans to get
a master's degree in urban planning. One dog (Elsa) and three cats (Julius,
Simka and Milo)

Hobbies: Reading and collecting
designer pottery from the '40s-'60s.

Current favorites: I recently
rediscovered Joan Didion and am reading everything she wrote. Other recent
favorites include Tortilla Curtain and The Women by TC Boyle. I'm also
reading an anthology of LA literature. All-time favorite authors are Wallace
Stegner and Raymond Chandler. I guess you can tell I'm from California.

I am passionate about: movies and
music from the 1940s and early '50s, cats, and chocolate. A good evening for me would be watching
"Adam's Rib" with a cat or two or three while eating organic dark chocolate
with cherries.

People are always surprised to
learn that: I was a singing waitress in college and aspired to be an actress.