New students get their first taste of life as a Redbird through a university staple: Preview. For 30 years, Mary Jo Fabich was the mind and heart behind the two-day orientation event.
Appears In“I was the first full-time person to run Preview,” said Fabich. “I feel good about what I did. My point was always to help students grow and to structure a program to help the freshmen feel comfortable.”
Featuring in-depth tours and an overnight stay in a residence hall, the event fostered growth in more than just the new students.
“I considered the Preview guides professionals. We trained them, they could call me, and there were safety nets, but they knew we trusted them and would let them test their skills,” said Fabich. “They’re one of the reasons Preview works.”
Fabich retired in 2021. She “knew it was time,” but also knew she’d miss parts of the job.
“I never had a second of regret, but I miss the people. I miss the humans,” she said. “My co-workers were just so funny. We laughed all the time. We were always cracking up and getting in trouble because we were making noise in Preview when we’d told everybody else to be quiet.”
Fabich is getting used to her retirement routine. Her husband, Tony, daughter, Maddy, and countless old friends still work at the University. She visits them on campus often.
“I’m just being in the world. We have a fluffy husky, Shadow, who I take walking. I do whatever I want when I want, and I have lunch with people here because I miss them,” said Fabich. “I’m waiting for a volunteer opportunity that makes sense to me. I’m not sure where I’ll land, but I love this way of living.”
Fabich can be reached at mjfabic@IllinoisState.edu.
