Tracy Stuck is one of the first people to move her office into the new $118 million Ohio Union — but she’s still waiting eagerly for the building to open.

“When people come running in, I can see their faces,” said Stuck, director of the Union. “And I can’t wait for that moment.”

When Stuck was hired at OSU, her supervisor, Bill Hall, had one goal in mind for her — to give OSU a new Union.

Although Hall, former vice president of Student Affairs, died of cancer before he could see the new building, one could say Stuck has achieved his goal. The new Union is slated to open its doors March 29.

Stuck, who is also assistant vice president of Student Life, grew up in western Pennsylvania. A small-town girl, she decided to study education at Westminster College, a small liberal arts school much like the schools her parents had gone to. She was a student leader involved in greek life, student government and cheerleading.

It was her father who told her during her freshman year that she could have a career working on a college campus.

“A lot of people who work in Student Life will say they accidentally ended up here,” Stuck said. “Mine was very purposeful.”

After earning her master’s degree at Slippery Rock University, Stuck began working in admissions at Ohio Northern University. While there, she was on a search committee for the director of student activities. By the time the search ended, she was offered the job.

During her stint at ONU, Stuck attended a conference where she ended up sitting by a man who worked at OSU. Keeping in touch with help ultimately helped her land a job at OSU.

“He called me when he was going to leave his job, and he said, ‘I’m going somewhere else, and I’m calling around to some people who may want to think about applying,'” Stuck said.

She said she didn’t know anyone else at OSU, but was attracted by the urban feel of the area. She applied for the job and was hired to oversee greek life. As time progressed, she moved her way up to her current position. She has now been at OSU for 16 years.

Stuck said the planning for the new union was student-led the whole way. If it was going to turn into something important, Stuck said the students had to believe in it.

Stuck “is always enthusiastic and encourages you to step outside the box and get involved in new things on campus,” said Taylor Knight, a second-year in pre-nursing.

Claire Kaido, a second-year in communication, agrees.

“She’s so passionate about everything she does and it really rubs off onto everyone who works around her,” Kaido said.