Four NIU employees have been awarded the NIU Outstanding Service Awards for Civil Service Staff for their extraordinary dedication to the university.

Jean Callary, Donna Dunn, Mike Korcek and Bob Wallace each will receive an award and a $250 check from President John LaTourette at Friday’s Civil Service banquet.

Jean Callary, recruitment coordinator for the Career Planning and Placement Center, has been at NIU since 1981 and has been in charge of campus employment recruiting since 1985. “Jean and the staff she has trained have virtually eliminated errors on the part of the center and she has been a strong instrument of public relations with students, faculty and employers alike. We receive comments almost daily from both recruiters and students praising the assistance that Jean has provided …” said Gary Scott, the center’s director.

“I feel very good about it. I think it will be good for the department. It’s a nice feeling to know people appreciate what you’ve done,” Callary said.

Dunn is an administrative secretary in the provost’s office and has been a permanent NIU staff member since 1974. “Obviously, I am pleased about the award,” Dunn said modestly.

“I cannot praise Donna enough. She keeps this office running smoothly. Donna is the first person to speak to angry parents who believe they are getting the run-around. She is always very patient, kind, understanding and honest. By the time they reach me, they are usually calm and appreciate that they have reached an office where their concerns are being heard,” said Lou Jean Moyer, Dunn’s supervisor.

Mike Korcek, director of sports information, has worked at NIU since 1973. Korcek has earned six awards from national writing and publication contests of the College Sports Information Directors of America and has been a member of the CSID ethics committee.

“Mike’s job places him in the position of host to off-campus media, alumni, university boosters, guests at athletic events, which gives him a high level of visibility. His accessibility, far-reaching knowlege of Northern’s history, and his professionalism in pressure situations have won many friends for Northern,” said Keith Lowman, NIU athletic photographer.

“A lot of great individuals are working here at Northern and it’s very gratifying to get this sort of support,” Korcek said. “It’s very humbling,” he added.

Bob Wallace has been a grounds crew gardener at NIU since 1964. Before his employment at NIU, Wallace managed a private greenhouse. “For the many years I have known Bob, he has always been most courteous and cooperative, not only with his fellow employees, but with the community as a whole.

If he is called upon to do a project after hours, on a Saturday or a ‘rush job’ that would seem impossible for any other person to even consider, he ‘gets it done’ and never ‘blows his horn,’ nor expects anything in return,” said Sally Saksa, NIU secretary to the dean of international and special programs.

When asked about his reaction to the award, Wallace said, “I feel great! How else could I feel?”