It’s 8:20 a.m. on a rainy Monday. President McMillan walks into his office suite with a smile on his face. “Bless you, my child” he kids as he sprinkles his rain-soaked umbrella on each of his office staff.

The day began at 5:45 a.m. with a walk to the grocery store with Corby, the McMillan’s part-Bichon and part-Yorkie dog. Now, he’s ready to see what the work day has in store.

Fortunately, today’s a light e-mail day. Only 14 unread messages…real messages that is, as he sifts through the junk mail for “incredible investment opportunities” and“pharmaceuticals.”

At 8:50 a.m., Kathy Cafoncelli ’99, the President’s assistant, stops in to make sure he’s ready for his 9 a.m. It’s a “hot wash,” explains Cafoncelli, a wrap-up meeting to go over the activities and events of Inauguration weekend. Stopping in just to express his gratitude to the Inauguration committee for a wonderful weekend, he’s off again to meet members of the freshman class for a 9:15 a.m. photo shoot.

Chatting with the students as photographer Steve Falk shoots, he asks them each to tell him a little about themselves. While getting to know one another, McMillan, the proud and protective father of five, teases a freshman male about having danced with one of his daughters at the Sesquicentennial Ball. The student grins, blushing as the others erupt into laughter. Finishing at 10:15 a.m. he heads over to Masters Hall for a “Meet and Greet” with Margaret Place, instructor in education. McMillan has made it a goal to meet and talk with every faculty member – all 120 of them. On the walk over, he

admires the dogwood tree next to the Administration Building, explaining that it was planted by his family in memory of his mother-inlaw, Marian Corbett Reese, who passed away on the day he was selected to be Albright’s 14th President. “It bloomed just a few days after we planted it,” he says, warmly remembering his mother-in-law.

Back in his office at 11:10 a.m., he has 40 minutes to sign diplomas before lunch with the senior class officers.

During lunch at noon he congratulates Charles Beatty’06 and Julie Sullivan’06 on leading a successful senior class gift program, and chats with senior class president Lacey Egerton ’06 about senior week activities.

But at 12:55 p.m. it’s off to Teel Hall for another “Meet and Greet,” this time with Farhad Saboori, Ph.D., professor of economics and business. On the way, passing students say hello, all with a smile and a nod of respect.

Frank Falso, vice president of advancement, is waiting in the President’s office at 2 p.m. when McMillan returns for their bi-weekly meeting about fundraising activities for the College. But before they know it, it’s 3:20 p.m., time to head out to the Reading Public Library to present the President’s Award for Leadership in Learning for a Lifetime.

Driving over with Barbara Marshall, associate vice president of college relations and marketing, he reflects fondly on the man who created the award, the late Dr. Edward R. Gilbert, professor of psychology.

Back at 4:30 p.m., he catches up and jokes with his staff before they go home for the day. “Hey Dawn, see this clock” he says to Secretary Dawn Coldren, who earlier in the day wrote an incorrect time on his schedule. “See, this is the big hand and when the big hand is here, it’s half past the hour…,” he teases. Coldren just smiles, taking it in stride, as laughter ensues from co-workers Cafoncelli and Brenda Wood, assistant to the Board of Trustees.

It’s 5:15 p.m. The staff has gone home for the night. Although most nights involve attendance at a multitude of events, activities and meetings such as musical performances, athletic banquets, lectures or community functions, tonight there is nothing on the schedule. A rare night, indeed!

After tying up some loose ends in the office, McMillan takes advantage of the evening and decides to head home.

It’s 5:45 p.m. Stuffing his battered leather briefcase with files, reports and professional publications, all of which require his attention, he’s on his way home to have dinner with his family, a time he truly cherishes. But after dinner it’s back to that battered briefcase, the reports, files and professional publications providing many hours of evening “entertainment.”