Mini Profile - Toni Parker (campus secretary who is not Doris)

After graduating with a Bachelor's in general studies, a Master's in liberal arts and working at TCU for 13 years with the TCU Band, Toni Parker continues to be the brains, and the heart and soul of the TCU Band.
Parker, administrative assistant to the Director of Bands, said she turned down another secretarial position at a law office, which would have paid her twice her salary at TCU. She said no because she love this band program that much, Parker said.
The best part about working with the band is the students.
"They're fun and keep you young," Parker said. "They are why I am here and am still doing this job today."
Unlike other secretaries, Parker said her job is unique because everything revolves around music. Most secretaries never deal with music or musicians, she said. The people she works with hold music to the highest of standards and it's the center of their lives.
Parker's office isn't big. It's right outside of the Bobby Francis--Director of Bands' office. The office becomes crowded with only four or five people in it.
Furthermore, keeping up with three band directors, graduate assistants and seven ensembles can be tiring, she said. Of course, each director has his own agenda and each have separate deadlines that have to be met.
Parker described the band office as energetic, fun-chaotic, exciting and unpredictable. Everything varies from day-to-day, she said. You never know what you're getting yourself into!
The TCU Band is essential to the university because it's the largest visible student group on campus. The appears in public more than any other group on campus and performs to huge crowds of people for recruiting purposes, she said.
Although there's never a dull moment when in the band office, Parker said she always finds a way to be in a good mood in the midst of the chaos. She never gets mad--maybe frustrated but never mad, she said. There are no such things as bad days.
"The great part of being secretary, which I think makes me stand out from other secretaries, is that I don't have to be here," Parker said. "I choose to be here."