USD Magazine Spring 2008

SWEET SPOT IN THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE Documenting the comings and goings of four Commanders in Chief was al l in a day’s work for alumna with a behind-the-scenes job in the White House by Trisha J. Ratledge [ p h o t o f i n i s h ] A

dent’s detailed daily schedule, and very few doors were closed to her. The Oval Office, Air Force One and the famed West Wing all became her front office and workroom. Historic events and world leaders were a part of Jacanin’s working day. Hers was a behind-the-scenes job in a privileged arena. It was also a job she never expected to have. In 1984,

“It was emotional because once you go out, it’s never the same,” says Jacanin, who keeps that framed image from 2005 on her dresser. “You can come back as a guest, but once you lose your pass, then you’ve lost your privi- leges of being on the compound.” As deputy director for opera- tions in the White House Photo Office, Jacanin worked with the photo director, four photogra-

phers and two editors. The office chronicles the activities of the president and first lady, as well as the vice president and his wife, for news stories, press releases, presidential mementos and the National Archives. Jacanin served four presidents — Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Jacanin was on the short list of staffers who received the presi-

fter 21 years of schedul- ing photographers to cover every official event of four U.S. presidents, Marilyn (Qualiato) Jacanin ’63 (B.A.) finally became the subject in the lens herself. A friend document- ed Jacanin’s last hours in the West Wing and, as twilight gath- ered, she captured Jacanin pass- ing through the gate into her retirement.

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