Christine Poorman

It’s hard not to start at the beginning, but the day I met Julie at a CP retreat in MN, I thought to myself who is this “do gooder” granola from Portland sitting across the room? Her outfit confused me, as it seemed way too urban, but thought maybe she was trying to make a good first impression and the birks would come out tomorrow. Boy was I wrong. The retreat dialog happened and we instantly knew we were East Coast kindred spirits surrounded by MN nice. There was no putting Julie in a box and she was going to make decisions based on what was right for students/her team and you could like it or NOT.
These retreats were common place over the years and we would finish the day at La Grolla an Italian Restaurant in St. Paul. Without fail, Julie would order the most food, including a full chicken for her entrée – EVERYTIME.
Julie’s predictability was comedy. Eating bagels and cream cheese every Monday morning meeting and washing them down with a Diet Pepsi (never knowing where the camera was on her screen). I once tried to convince her to give up her last Diet Pepsi before bed, but that was worthless. That lady could sleep, even through a hotel smoke alarm in the middle of the night. I banged on her door – nothing. She could sleep soundly and I never harassed her about the Diet Pepsi consumption again.
Julie was a piece of work and one of the greatest gifts. I still cherish the conversations I have with her in my head. Without question you knew what she would say “MOFONGO”!