Sally Saksa

Scholarship honors memory of Sally Saksa

A scholarship has been established honoring the memory of Sally Saksa, a 37-year NIU employee and former administrative secretary in the Division of International Programs. Saksa died Nov. 4 after a long battle with cancer.

The Sally Saksa Study Abroad Scholarship will assist NIU students planning to study overseas. Saksa was known for her dedication to International Programs and as a mentor to many students.

“Sally Saksa’s life was focused on care and concern for others,” said Sally Stevens, longtime presidential secretary. “Since Sally was employed in the Division of International Programs, it is natural for friends and colleagues to support a scholarship endeavor that will give financial care and concern to study-abroad students.”

Contributions to the scholarship fund may be sent to the attention of Anne Seitzinger at the NIU Study Abroad Office, Williston Hall 417, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115.

Seitzinger, who spoke with many people who knew Saksa, offers this tribute to her longtime friend.

A DeKalb native, Saksa began working at NIU after graduating from high school in 1957. She served in several clerical positions, working in the offices of former NIU President Leslie Holmes, Business Services, the Physical Plant and Career Planning and Placement.

She joined the Division of International Programs in 1982 and worked there until her retirement from NIU in 1994.

“Sally and I worked together for 11 years,” said Daniel Wit, who founded the NIU Division of International Programs in 1969.

“During that period she demonstrated that she was a loyal, energetic and dedicated person – a great administrative secretary. Personally, she was also a warm concerned human being who empathized with people in trouble,” Wit added. “When you combine her job-related characteristics and her personal attributes, she was a fine human being who reached out to others. Her passing is very sad and a great loss to her family and the NIU, DeKalb and Sycamore communities.”

Saksa served as an ambassador for NIU to countless international students and visiting foreign administrators and dignitaries.

She also was active in the NIU and local communities. She served on the Operating Staff Council for three years, and was awarded the Operating Staff Outstanding Service Award in 1992. Saksa was instrumental in planning the welcome reception for former NIU President John LaTourette in 1986, and she delivered the welcome speech on behalf of the Operating Staff Council.

Saksa also served on the DeKalb Planning Commission, and was one of the first volunteers for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), an agency that works on behalf of abused and neglected children. She also volunteered for the DeKalb County Hospice and was an active member of St. Mary Parish in DeKalb. At the time of her passing, Saksa was employed by Catholic Charities.

“During the past 40 plus years, I was privileged to have known Sally as a loyal friend,” said James Harder, former NIU vice president for Business Services. “Her dedication to Northern and her ready smile will remain as fond memories.”

When Saksa came to International Programs in 1979, she reorganized the office. Later, when Wit retired, she was effectively “the glue that kept the people of the division together as a team,” said Dena Funkhouser, former business manager for the division and now the assistant director in the Office of Finance and Facilities.

Sharon Howard, director of University Resources for Women, served as acting dean of the division at that time.

“During the time we worked together, Sally’s skill, good sense, tact and compassion were critical to getting the division and those of us who worked there through an extremely difficult period,” Howard recalled. “As a newcomer to that office, I had to rely heavily on Sally’s memory, her efficiency and her readiness to go the extra mile to keep things moving in the right direction. She came through every time.”

Saksa was also viewed as an “NIU mom” by students who studied abroad and looked to her for guidance and reassurance, according to Pat Sauter, former administrative assistant in the Office of the University Council.

“Her intense desire to assist was a result of her professionalism, but also came from the heart,” Sauter said. “In 37 years of service to the university, Sally established a reputation for being hardworking, enthusiastic and dedicated far beyond the call of duty.”

Saksa is survived by her sister, Betty (Dave) Vicini of Shorewood, three nieces, two nephews, several cousins and countless friends.

12-8-03