When Veronica “Ronnie” Vinson shares her beautiful singing voice at a wedding or a funeral, those in attendance are privy to a bit of instruction she received. 

That was really good. Now, when you sing it this time, can you pray it?

Singing in the choir at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Vinson was encouraged by former music directors Sister Maureen Griner and Judy Gray to go beyond technique and delve spiritually and emotionally into the songs.

“I learned sung prayer under their leadership,” said Vinson, Senior Administrative Coordinator for the School of Sciences and the Gadomski School of Engineering at CBU. “It took me years, but I can look in the eyes of those who are hurting and need to be comforted by song. I can go there and give comfort through that additional layer of connection that tells them, ‘In my heart, my eyes, and my voice, I’m with you.’”

Her voice—she serves as the Cantor at nearly every significant CBU event—and her ability to empathize are just two of the many gifts Vinson shares with CBU. She is dedicated to the university and spends any spare moments brightening the campus with holiday decorations, sponsoring a student club, supporting the Brothers, participating in fundraisers and philanthropic endeavors, or creating care packages for students during finals week.

Vinson identifies as a “cradle Catholic” and an “Air Force brat.” Faith and frequent relocations were two constants during her childhood. 

Born in Alamogordo, New Mexico, the Vinson family moved whenever her father received a new assignment. She spent her childhood in Germany, Japan, Taiwan, North Dakota, New Hampshire, and Alaska. When asked where she’s from, Vinson usually says “Holly Springs, Mississippi,” is her hometown, where they settled after her father retired, but she is thankful for how she was raised among a variety of cultures.

While her childhood was spent moving, her adulthood has been centered in Memphis. After college, Vinson worked for another local university for 30 years and then served as the Parish Administrative Assistant at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. When that job was dissolved in 2022 after eight years, she reached out to a longtime friend, Brother Thomas Sullivan, FSC, who had always encouraged her to explore a position at CBU. 

Brother Tom, Director of the Brothers Community and Adjunct Instructor of Biology, wasted no time.

“I called Brother Tom on a Monday and said, ‘I don’t work at the church anymore—if you know of any openings…,’” said Vinson. “He said, ‘I have the perfect spot for you,’ and the next Monday I was hired here at CBU as the Administrative Coordinator for the School of Sciences.”

In February 2025, she was promoted and now serves as the Senior Administrative Coordinator for the School of Sciences and the Gadomski School of Engineering. Vinson’s days are full, and at the end of a long day she can be found at home, enjoying the company of her Noah’s Ark roommates, two dogs, two turtles and two fish.

Among her many job responsibilities, Vinson processes travel requests, pays bills, schedules meetings, onboards faculty, places work orders, and (her favorite) “spoils” students and staff. She is a jack of all trades, as comfortable balancing a multitude of tasks for both schools as she is hanging a Christmas wreath or sewing a button. Students know they can come to her with their problems, and she will provide a sympathetic ear. 

“I have no kids, and wherever I work I ‘adopt’ them,” said Vinson. “They will come to my office and talk about boyfriend problems. They’ll tell me about a test they did terribly on or ask me for a dollar for the vending machine. It’s really sweet to be their momma away from home. If I can help them, I’ll do it.”

Biology major Riddhi Patel is one of many students who have been uplifted by Vinson’s warmth and kindness. “Ms. Vinson is truly the light and joy of Cooper Wilson. She’s always the first to offer a helping hand to anyone who needs it, and she makes every day here more welcoming, more fun, and more meaningful.”

Joseph Preston, CBU’s Major Gifts Officer, wholeheartedly agreed. “​Ronnie has embodied the mission of CBU from the moment she stepped onto campus. Whether she’s interacting with a student, colleague, or a first time visitor, everyone is drawn to her infectious spirit and genuine enthusiasm.”

“Ronnie has a gift for making you feel as though your needs are hers as well, and she goes above and beyond with the students AND the faculty to make every day a joyous one and every event a success,” said Dr. Lyndsey Pierson, Department Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Biology. “Our Schools would not function, nor would our jobs be nearly as enjoyable, without her presence.”

Vinson loves working at CBU for many reasons, but connections such as these are a true highlight. 

“I find that our students are naturally kind,” she said. “If they see you walking across campus with a box or see you need a hand, they’ll stop and say, ‘Let me help you with that, Ms. Ronnie.’ … At Christmastime, I feed them pizza and junk food and pops, and they help me decorate the building.”

“My two Deans, Dr. James Moore and Dr. Andrew Assaddollahi are two great men to work with—extremely smart, very passionate about CBU, like me, yet totally different,” she added. 

“The rest of the faculty are wonderful, too. They really do care about our students, and that’s the most rewarding thing to see. Really, we all desire to see the students succeed. We all pitch in to make sure they feel supported. It’s a good feeling, and CBU truly does provide a firm foundation for students to ‘enter to learn and leave to serve.’ I’m so proud to be a small part of their success.”

Vinson’s offices are in the Cooper Wilson School of Sciences and the Gadomski School of Engineering.