Teaching and Learning administrative secretary retires

by Mark McGowan

Marge Gillis came to NIU in 1977, looking for a job that would keep her away from the heart of campus. She found one in Graham Hall, as the department secretary for what is now called the Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education. Gillis liked the easier parking the near-west side of campus offered, and the occasional view of little ones playing outside the child-care area.

Gillis retired July 31 after 25 years of service. A reception in her honor is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, in the University Suite of the Holmes Student Center.

"It is time," said Gillis, a 74-year-old grandmother of four adults. "There have been so many changes."

The differences include five separate names for her department _ the most recent being Teacher Education _ 10 chairs and six deans. She also had to pack up her office in 1999 and move to adjoining Gabel Hall, where she found a quiet and remote corner outside for her breaks.

Her job responsibilities were "typical of most secretaries," she said. "I did the budget, the personnel hiring. I was the office manager."

With many secretaries coming and going after brief stays in the office, Gillis also gained a reputation for remembering who did what and when. Faculty and instructors often came to her seeking such knowledge — or confirmation of their memories, she said.

"I've been here so long and remember so many little things," she said, "like when did something happen."

Colleagues were well aware of her worth, said Nina Dorsch, chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning.

"It just won't be the same in the Department of Teaching and Learning without Marge," Dorsch said. "Faculty, clerical staff and professional support personnel all relied on Marge to navigate personnel and budget processes. We'll miss her enormously."

Gillis does not plan a peaceful retirement.

She does not care to travel — her family is all around her — and keeps horses on her rural property east of town. She planned to wrap up a week's worth of yard work in early August, and is mulling whether to find a part-time job to stay busy during winter.

One thing that won't change is her work ethic or her need to set the alarm clock at night.

"I won't get up 'til 6. I have to feed the horses," laughed Gillis, who always rose at 5 a.m. during her NIU days. "It'll be different, but I'll get used to it."