DEBRA SWAFFORD: TRAVELING AT HOME

Some people save up for years in order to travel the world. Debra Swafford gets to do it just by going to work each day.

A 15-year employee of The University of Tulsa, Debra is currently the assistant to the Department of Languages, doing “whatever it takes to make the professors happy,” she said. From sending out emails, helping with the budget, and just keeping everything in order, Debra does almost anything that is asked of her.

Prior to her current position, Debra worked in the College of Law, first hired as a temp assistant in August 1990 and becoming full-time in November 1990. She then transferred to the Department of Continuing Education, and eventually applied for the assistant job in the Department of Languages. She has stayed at TU, and maintains that she loves her job.

“This place has really expanded my horizons, and opened my eyes to different cultures, foods, and religions. It’s like a mini UN here,” she said.

Debra does not speak any other languages—“I can barely speak English well!”—but it’s not for lack of trying: Debra is required to wear hearing aids in order to better pick up the consonants in a person’s speech. Because she can typically only hear vowels, her ability to understand foreign language is greatly reduced.

Debra has traveled across America, visiting places such as California and Chicago, but hasn’t yet had the chance to go abroad. Later this year, she will be taking a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise with her 13-year-old grandson.

“I’m hoping it won’t be too touristy," she said. "I’d like for it to open his eyes a little bit.”

If the opportunity ever arises, however, Debra would still like to visit Europe. “I think that traveling is the only way to learn history, and I love history. If I ever have the chance to go, you bet I’ll take it.”

--Caroline Richardson