Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Dean Pinky Wassenberg is August EOM



Pinky Wassenberg, dean of the College of Public Affairs and Administration thought she was on her way to an important meeting. A fellow dean even created a fake proposal for her to review beforehand, but it was all a big trick.

“This has really led me to question my perceptive ability. I always thought I had a really good network and there wasn’t too much going on that I had no clue about. I’m just about as clueless today as I ever have been,” Wassenberg told the crowd.

Harry Berman, UIS provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs lead Wassenberg to the fake meeting in the PAC Restaurant where she was surprised by dozens of her friends and colleagues.

“Pinky is a model administrator and I think this has a lot to do with her being nominated for the position,” said Berman. “She runs her office competently developing creative and innovative approaches to standard administrative tasks.”

Wassenberg came to UIS in 1987 after teaching at Central Michigan University and while at UIS she was appointed to the Political Science Department and the Center for Legal Studies. In September 2005 she was appointed Interim Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Administration and became dean in April of 2006.

“Pinky is absolutely straight up. She tells you what she thinks and she doesn’t suffer fools readily,” said Berman.

Wassenberg thanked the crowd for their support and for the honor of being named Employee of the Month for August 2010.

“Thank you all. This is very kind,” she said.