Gale Kilbury is September EOM

Career Counselor Gale Kilbury thought she was on her way to a meeting when co-workers, friends and family ambushed her with the news she’d been named Employee of the Month for September 2010.

Kilbury had pen and paper in hand, ready for her meeting, when she walked into Conference Room G in the Public Affairs Center. A celebration was held in her honor featuring cake and other sweet treats.

“It’s a great job. I love it,” said Kilbury.

Kilbury started as an intern in the Career Development Center and worked her way up to a full-time employee.

“Working in the Career Development Center you get the opportunity to be there for all students and all alums. We’re not focused on any one group or any one person and I think that’s the beauty of what we do,” said Kilbury.

Tammy Craig, director of Career Services introduced Kilbury and presented her with the award.

“She has given to the university, she’s very student centered, everything is all about students,” said Craig.

As Employee of the Month, Kilbury was presented with a special parking spot for the month along with some extra spending cash on her i-card.

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.