Julie Ann Brink, assistant manager of internal communications at Penn State, died Monday, Dec. 1, at Mount Nittany Medical Center. She was 50.
Brink worked in the Office of Public Information for eight years. She joined the University as associate editor of Intercom, the former faculty/staff newspaper, after working for more than 15 years in the newsroom of the Centre Daily Times. When Intercom ceased publication in print and moved online in the form of Penn State Live and the Penn State Newswires, Brink became an integral part of the editing and distribution of the Newswires. In 2007, she took over primary responsibility for editing and publishing roughly three dozen Penn State Newswires each week, including the Faculty/Staff Newswire, the Arts/Entertainment Newswire and all of the campus Newswires.
"Julie worked behind the scenes, tirelessly, for eight years editing thousands of Penn State stories. Her contributions to the success and huge expansion of the Penn State Newswire system during the past decade were important. We will miss her," said Bill Mahon, vice president of University Relations.
"During the busiest of her days, Julie often would wish she was able to work from home in her pink bunny slippers," said colleague and friend Chris Koleno. Instead, she occupied an office within shouting distance of Koleno's and they stayed in constant communication as they worked on the Newswires together. "She was the sweetest, most unassuming person you could ever meet. I grieve for my friend who was humble from start to finish. I know she's wearing pink bunny slippers in heaven right now," Koleno said.
In addition to her work in Public Information, Brink taught a feature writing class in the College of Communications, passing on her knowledge to the next generation of journalists. She also was a resource to colleagues throughout the University.
"Julie was my grammar maven," said Margaret Hopkins, who worked with Brink both at the CDT and at Penn State. "Whenever I was stumped, I called Julie for help. She never tired of helping me understand the 'why' behind the grammar rules."
In addition to her work at Penn State, Brink maintained a presence in the CDT, writing a monthly column.
"I knew from day one that Julie was a good editor, but when she joined the rotation of CDT columnists I saw what a good writer she was, as well," said Russell Frank, former features editor of the CDT, and current faculty member in the College of Communications. "In a town where so many of us are carpet-baggers, her local voice as a Central Pennsylvanian, born and bred, was invaluable. Her memoir of the Clearfield County Fair was as evocative a piece of writing as I've ever read in the CDT."
Brink's interests outside the office included antiquing, knitting and gardening.
"We spent countless hours in the garden planting flowers and seeds of wisdom, and solving all the problems of the world if only someone would listen to us," said Wanda Wasilko, lifelong friend of Brink's and administrative support assistant in the College of Education. "Julie’s no-nonsense approach to life was warmed with a heart of gold. My memories of Julie are joyful. She embodied strength, faith and all that was good and fair and right. All the flowers opening in my garden will not fill the void left by the passing of my friend."
Said Hopkins, "Julie tried to share her love of knitting with me -- but it is not a skill I possess despite her patient teaching. I am fortunate, though, to have a pair of mittens that she made and surprised me with one day. I wear them often. Like many, I was blessed to be her friend."
Born Feb. 21, 1958, in Philipsburg, she was a daughter of the late Raymond Brink and the late Josephine Witherite. She graduated from Moshannon Valley High School and from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She was a member of the Nittany Baptist Church.