Kathryn Kleeman is February EOM

Kathryn Kleeman, assistant director of Admissions, may have wondered – after a cold, snowy week filled with closings and reschedulings – why this meeting late on a Friday afternoon couldn't be postponed, too. If she did, she found out when Lori Giordano led her into the PAC restaurant.

Surprise! Kathryn was Employee of the Month for February.

"We were a little worried about being able to pull this off on time," said Admissions secretary Lee Wensch. "Lori (associate director of admissions, and Kathryn's boss) was on vacation, then on Tuesday the storm blew in. We had to do it on a Friday, because that's when the counselors are here."

Fortunately, the party went off with only a couple of little hitches – the coats hanging outside the restaurant were a giveaway, and Kathryn had been congratulated in advance, though she persuaded herself that the person had her confused with someone else.

"I'm surprised," said Kathryn. And she was.

"Kathryn is the go-to person in our office," noted Giordano. "She works very hard, and if anyone deserves this honor, it's her. Whenever I have to be away I never worry about the office running smoothly. Kathryn organizes all the events at our Preview Days, and she also goes on the road when we're short of recruiters."

"I have to say this is very unexpected, and very appreciated," said Kathryn. "And I am certainly not the only one who deserves this – everyone in our office does. Thank you all."

Cynthia Thompson is 2006 Employee of the Year

Director of Student Life Cynthia Thompson was named 2006 Employee of the Year at the 24th annual EOY Recognition Ceremony, held January 24 in Sangamon Auditorium lobby. Thompson was employee of the month for September.

Materials nominating her at that time cited her "stellar service and commitment to students and to the university" and her "tireless" efforts to expand programming and opportunities for students. Others noted, "Students and their development are the center of all her decisions and activities."

Making the official EOY announcement and presentation, Chancellor Ringeisen observed, "The Employees of the Month are the special ones among us that make us all special. Looking out at this audience, I think that any one of you are deserving of this award."

Thompson came to UIS in 2002 from the University of North Dakota, where she had also received a number of awards for exceptional service to students.