Mary Dempster, Caterpillar University
She’s been with the same company for 38 years, but it’s still been a wild ride. Since 1963 Mary Dempster has moved around Caterpillar, and has found her professional true love in her current position with Caterpillar University.
Her work allows her to combine her love of diverse cultures with her commitment to Big Yellow.
Dempster graduated from the Academy of Our Lady in Peoria and immediately went to work for the Catholic Diocese for a few years. After a couple of other jobs, she settled into Caterpillar, working part-time for 13 years after her daughter was born.
She picked an inopportune time to go back to work full time, however: Caterpillar was going through a period of downsizing. "Over the next two and a half years I was laid off twice. That stretch of time probably influenced my future more than I would ever have imagined. I decided I wasn’t going to put myself in that position again, and I started back to school," she said.
She enrolled at ICC, figuring she would start slowly. "I was very fortunate to have an advisor who encouraged me to look at the big picture of possibly pursuing a degree. She advised me to pick a subject I liked that could be applied toward a degree. I picked an English writing course, and took it at Bergan High School, which was just three blocks from my house. That was the beginning of a lot of years of eating the elephant one bite at a time," Dempster said.
While continuing to plug away at her degree, Cat Financial relocated to Nashville, and asked Dempster to go too. She agreed, staying six years before returning to Peoria in 1997 to assume a position at Caterpillar Training Institute—now called Caterpillar University.
"Caterpillar has provided me with many opportunities and challenges over the years, but I have especially enjoyed working on projects where I could interact with different cultures in and outside the U.S. For the last four years I’ve managed a five-month training program for a group of managers from China. It’s obvious how dedicated our "students" are to learning, and I get tremendous feedback from them on the value of the program. But just as importantly, the teachers have given me feedback on how much they learn about China and its culture and people. They said it’s helped them think more globally in their decision-making processes. It’s a matter of embracing change and being flexible; there’s a very diverse world out there," she said.
Her own formal education finally came to fruition when she received a degree in Business Administration. "I saw my career change when I really got serious about continuing my education, and I’ll preach to anyone who will listen that you’re never too old to learn. I was able to grow in my career and certainly made myself much more marketable in the work place with the combination of education and experience," Dempster said.
What has also helped in her latest position is her appreciation of different cultures, a likely result of her upbringing. Both of her parents were born in Germany; her father came to Peoria at age 22, and her mother at age 12. She and her three brothers and sisters grew up fascinated by stories of the "old country," and Dempster turned that interest into a life-long association with the German-American Society. "This was a way of life handed down by my parents, who were active in it," she explained. "The Society has three affiliated clubs: the Damenchor Germania, the Gesangverein Harmonie, and the Sports Verein. I’ve served as president of the Central Society and the Damenchor Germania (German Ladies), and held various other offices over the years."
She said the Peoria area—and Illinois as a whole—have a strong German population, and many Society members have worked diligently over the years to document the German influence.
The organization is perhaps best known for its Oktoberfest, which celebrates its sixth year September 21 to 23. "I’ve co-chaired this event for the last three years, along with my brother, Bob Franken. Oktoberfest on the Peoria riverfront gives you a sample of the Munich Oktoberfest. Along with our Heritage Tent, we feature bands from Germany; authentic German food; activities for children; and, of course, Spaten beer, the official Oktoberfest beer.
The Peoria German-American Society is also looking forward to the National Saengerfest in May 2004, which will be in Peoria. "In May 2000 we made a pitch to the delegates of the North American Saengerbund to bring the national event to Peoria. Singers from all over the U.S. will be here for the weekend. We gave a presentation to the delegates dressed in German dirndls. We had a great time, and they fell in love with the city, commenting on how friendly everyone is. The Peoria area is a great place, so it wasn’t a hard sell," Dempster said.
Another passion of Dempster’s is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Before relocating to Nashville, she had participated every year since the event’s inception, but she had no idea how much it would come to mean to her. "While in Nashville, I found a lump in my breast which turned out to be malignant. I had surgery and finished chemotherapy in Nashville, and started radiation treatments after transferring back to Peoria."
Dempster is a vocal advocate of breast self-exams, but she wanted to do more for the cause—especially because her sister is also a survivor. "I asked our Damenchor Germania if they would sponsor a group in the Race for the Cure, and there was unanimous agreement. We needed a minimum of 15, and I had a goal of 25—I think we ended up with 38. Also, the men of the German-American Society offered to fix breakfast for us, and some signed up for the Three Miles of Men.
"The next year we had 67 participants, and in 2001 we ended up with 120. I’m still thinking about a number for 2002. I’m very proud to be part of an organization that makes the effort to get involved and supports various events in our community. We’ve donated more than $70,000 to local charities through our Service Fund," she said.
Dempster is a big believer in people working for causes they believe in. "There are lots of opportunities to get involved in community and cultural activities in the Peoria area. It can be very rewarding, as well as a new adventure. I don’t know who said it, but I repeat it often: ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.’ Change is the only constant—embrace it." TPW
Her work allows her to combine her love of diverse cultures with her commitment to Big Yellow.
Dempster graduated from the Academy of Our Lady in Peoria and immediately went to work for the Catholic Diocese for a few years. After a couple of other jobs, she settled into Caterpillar, working part-time for 13 years after her daughter was born.
She picked an inopportune time to go back to work full time, however: Caterpillar was going through a period of downsizing. "Over the next two and a half years I was laid off twice. That stretch of time probably influenced my future more than I would ever have imagined. I decided I wasn’t going to put myself in that position again, and I started back to school," she said.
She enrolled at ICC, figuring she would start slowly. "I was very fortunate to have an advisor who encouraged me to look at the big picture of possibly pursuing a degree. She advised me to pick a subject I liked that could be applied toward a degree. I picked an English writing course, and took it at Bergan High School, which was just three blocks from my house. That was the beginning of a lot of years of eating the elephant one bite at a time," Dempster said.
While continuing to plug away at her degree, Cat Financial relocated to Nashville, and asked Dempster to go too. She agreed, staying six years before returning to Peoria in 1997 to assume a position at Caterpillar Training Institute—now called Caterpillar University.
"Caterpillar has provided me with many opportunities and challenges over the years, but I have especially enjoyed working on projects where I could interact with different cultures in and outside the U.S. For the last four years I’ve managed a five-month training program for a group of managers from China. It’s obvious how dedicated our "students" are to learning, and I get tremendous feedback from them on the value of the program. But just as importantly, the teachers have given me feedback on how much they learn about China and its culture and people. They said it’s helped them think more globally in their decision-making processes. It’s a matter of embracing change and being flexible; there’s a very diverse world out there," she said.
Her own formal education finally came to fruition when she received a degree in Business Administration. "I saw my career change when I really got serious about continuing my education, and I’ll preach to anyone who will listen that you’re never too old to learn. I was able to grow in my career and certainly made myself much more marketable in the work place with the combination of education and experience," Dempster said.
What has also helped in her latest position is her appreciation of different cultures, a likely result of her upbringing. Both of her parents were born in Germany; her father came to Peoria at age 22, and her mother at age 12. She and her three brothers and sisters grew up fascinated by stories of the "old country," and Dempster turned that interest into a life-long association with the German-American Society. "This was a way of life handed down by my parents, who were active in it," she explained. "The Society has three affiliated clubs: the Damenchor Germania, the Gesangverein Harmonie, and the Sports Verein. I’ve served as president of the Central Society and the Damenchor Germania (German Ladies), and held various other offices over the years."
She said the Peoria area—and Illinois as a whole—have a strong German population, and many Society members have worked diligently over the years to document the German influence.
The organization is perhaps best known for its Oktoberfest, which celebrates its sixth year September 21 to 23. "I’ve co-chaired this event for the last three years, along with my brother, Bob Franken. Oktoberfest on the Peoria riverfront gives you a sample of the Munich Oktoberfest. Along with our Heritage Tent, we feature bands from Germany; authentic German food; activities for children; and, of course, Spaten beer, the official Oktoberfest beer.
The Peoria German-American Society is also looking forward to the National Saengerfest in May 2004, which will be in Peoria. "In May 2000 we made a pitch to the delegates of the North American Saengerbund to bring the national event to Peoria. Singers from all over the U.S. will be here for the weekend. We gave a presentation to the delegates dressed in German dirndls. We had a great time, and they fell in love with the city, commenting on how friendly everyone is. The Peoria area is a great place, so it wasn’t a hard sell," Dempster said.
Another passion of Dempster’s is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Before relocating to Nashville, she had participated every year since the event’s inception, but she had no idea how much it would come to mean to her. "While in Nashville, I found a lump in my breast which turned out to be malignant. I had surgery and finished chemotherapy in Nashville, and started radiation treatments after transferring back to Peoria."
Dempster is a vocal advocate of breast self-exams, but she wanted to do more for the cause—especially because her sister is also a survivor. "I asked our Damenchor Germania if they would sponsor a group in the Race for the Cure, and there was unanimous agreement. We needed a minimum of 15, and I had a goal of 25—I think we ended up with 38. Also, the men of the German-American Society offered to fix breakfast for us, and some signed up for the Three Miles of Men.
"The next year we had 67 participants, and in 2001 we ended up with 120. I’m still thinking about a number for 2002. I’m very proud to be part of an organization that makes the effort to get involved and supports various events in our community. We’ve donated more than $70,000 to local charities through our Service Fund," she said.
Dempster is a big believer in people working for causes they believe in. "There are lots of opportunities to get involved in community and cultural activities in the Peoria area. It can be very rewarding, as well as a new adventure. I don’t know who said it, but I repeat it often: ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.’ Change is the only constant—embrace it." TPW