News Story

Celebrating Ortenz Rose: 45+ Years at The Open University

Thursday 30 Oct 2025

After an incredible 45-year journey at The Open University, Ortenz is retiring. Her contributions, especially to the early days and growth of KMi, have left a lasting legacy. On Tuesday, 28th October, KMi staff gathered to celebrate Ortenz’s remarkable career. The team presented her with a gift and shared anecdotes and stories, highlighting her long-standing impact on KMi and the wider university community.

We asked her to reflect on her time here, and she graciously shared her memories, insights, and a few behind-the-scenes stories that helped shape the OU as we know it today.

Q: What first brought you to the OU back in the early ’90s, and how did the KMi job come about?

A: As a permanent full-time member of staff, my journey at the OU began in January 1980, initially as a Course Secretary within the Psychology discipline of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The KMi role evolved after I completed a BTEC course in Business and Finance at Woughton Campus on a part-time basis. This led to a change in direction, and I took on various roles within the Faculty before becoming PA to Marc Eisenstadt and a small team within the Human Cognition Research Laboratory (HCRL), which was part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. When KMi was formally established in late 1994, it felt like a natural progression from the work we were already doing.

Q: When Marc Eisenstadt asked you to “move sideways” into the new research group, what made you say yes?

A: The variety of tasks, changing daily, weekly, seasonally, was exactly what I enjoyed. I thrive on diversity in my work, and monotony just isn’t for me. Although I never had the time to formally study OU courses to develop my skills, the role itself offered countless opportunities to grow and refine my own ‘bespoke’ skill set. You could say I’ve earned a ‘virtual honorary degree’ through experience!

(Image caption: Ortenz and the KMi staff)

Q: Describe that very first temporary cabin at the bottom of what later became the Berrill site. What was inside on day one?

A: KMi was housed in a temporary hut set up specifically for us, just a stone’s throw from where the Robert Hooke building now stands. It was modest, but it was ours and it marked the beginning of something special.

Q: As the only admin voice in the early days, how did you pull off the little victories, e.g., getting a building number, pigeonholes for post, and a phone line, that helped put KMi on the university map?

A: It was a team effort, backed by determination and persistence. We stood firm and made it clear that we were serious! Marc had a natural ability to see things through to completion, which helped us push forward and get things done.

Q: “They gave us five years, tops.” you once said. What was the mood around campus when KMi started, and how did you deal with the scepticism?

A: Honestly, I was too busy to dwell on the scepticism! My focus was on making sure the unit functioned smoothly. With funding coming in, we needed to recruit researchers for project work, and gradually, the number of staff, visitors, and students grew. That steady growth was the real sign that KMi was here to stay.

(Image caption: Ortenz holding a specially designed KMi shirt made just for her)

Q: Moving onto the famous “4th-floor penthouse” in Berrill: how did you persuade the Estates committee to give KMi the top floor?

A: That wasn’t me! The credit goes to Marc, Kitty and Tom. They staked their claim earlier on, and KMi became the first occupants of the Berrill Building in October 1995.

Q: Retirement can mean “doing less” or “doing differently.” Which KMi-honed skill or habit are you most looking forward to using in your new free time?

A: I get great satisfaction from seeing things through to completion. There are quite a few personal projects I’ve started but haven’t yet finished, and I’m looking forward to finally accomplishing them!

Q: Finally, is there a moment, object or practice that captures the spirit of KMi to you and why?

A: I can recall in the early days when we took on a number of interns and recruited staff from abroad. They needed to open up a bank account and so I compiled yet another letter on the KMi letterhead to secure their application. I then discovered that the NatWest bank on campus photocopied a version of the applicant’s letter and removed personal details to form a template as part of their new account application pack!

Thank you, Ortenz! Your dedication, resilience, and quiet leadership helped lay the foundations of KMi and supported its growth into the vibrant research and innovation centre it is today. You have been a steady presence through decades of change, and your legacy will continue to inspire those who follow.

Here’s to a retirement filled with joy, creativity, and well-earned rest. You will be missed!