MALLORY LORING/Arizona Daily Wildcat Jacquenese Price celebrated her retirement from the human resources department yesterday. Price was presented with a thank you present and recognized by coworkers and family members.

When Jacquenese Amanda Price attended the UA in 1970, there were no black members of the Pom Squad.

Price was the first.

"I was somewhat of a trail-blazer," she said.

Thirty-three years later, she's finally leaving the UA.

More than 100 people filled the Student Union Memorial Center's Grand Ballroom yesterday at a celebration in honor of Price, who retired this year from the human resources department.

"She's missed," said Cathy Nicholson, director of institutional resources and information technology for human resources. "Jacque is unlike anyone I've met. She's a rare person treasured by her coworkers for her civility, warmth and graciousness."

For Price, more than three decades at the UA began in 1970 with struggles against discrimination.

"It was a wonderful time, but occasionally lonely," she said. "You meet people with all kinds of attitudes but you just have to keep a positive outlook."

Price said her involvement on the pom squad was largely attributed to a very progressive athletics director. She said she will never forget his vision of inclusion.

Price said that the biggest change she has noticed on campus is the registration process. No longer are students forced to stand in long lines for hours, thanks to technology. There are also more fields of study compared to the '70s.

Price, who was a sociology student, began her career at the UA as a clerical worker in the football office.

She later became a receptionist and then from 1978 ÷ 1984, she worked in the Multidisciplinary Laboratories in the College of Medicine helping first and second year med students.

After working during this time and not focusing on school, Price took advantage of an opportunity to graduate.

Attending school while pregnant, Price finished her degree in sociology with a minor in personnel and hospital administration.

Price began her work in the human resources department in June 1984. She dealt with different departments and employees and helped out with hiring procedures, often finding jobs for people who her husband sent over to the UA.

"There was never a boring minute; I was always meeting people and doing something new. It's a reward to make a difference," Price said.

She received a master's degree in 1998 in educational leadership. She also earned national certification as a professional in human resources.

"These accomplishments stand out as far as my university career," Price said.

Price also received the UA Black Alumni Association's Alumni Achiever Award in November 1998 and was a nominee in 1999 for the Billy Joe Varney award.

But now Price is ready for a quieter life.

"She makes it look so enjoyable that I want to be retired, and I haven't even started my career yet," said her son, Marquez Price, a sociology junior.

Price's party kicked off with a performance by the Pom Squad. Price even joined in for pom shaking and a photo shoot.

"It's time for me to make a change in my life," Price said. "I'm exiting while still shining, ready to be polished further, and looking back at my accomplishments."