With more than thirty-five years of service to GSLIS each, Sally Eakin and Kathy Painter will both retire on May 31.
Eakin, a staff clerk, joined the staff of what was then the Graduate School of Library Science in November 1978. Painter, an office administrator, was hired in September 1979. Through decades of change, not only have Eakin and Painter served as indispensable members of the front office staff, but their friendship has deepened. The result is a strong sense of teamwork and professionalism that inspires everyone. They’ve supported the School through name and building changes; and they’ve seen faculty, staff, several deans, and countless students pass through our doors.
In addition to managing the changes that have taken place over the years, opportunities for advancement and variety in their daily tasks have kept their work interesting. “If your job description changes, it feels like a new job, a new learning experience, a new opportunity for growth,” Eakin said. “I’ve seen it all! It continues to change and evolve. [It’s a] fun place to work.”
The friendship and support of coworkers also has made the decision to stay at GSLIS an easy one, Painter explained. “The administration, the faculty, and everybody in the School has always been really supportive of the front office staff. They treat you well...There’s loyalty there. People really care about each other. Why wouldn’t you want to work in a place like that for thirty-five years?”
“GSLIS has been extraordinarily fortunate to have Kathy and Sally as devoted staff members for more than three decades,” said Linda C. Smith, associate dean for academic programs and professor. “They have mastered increases in spatial scale (from one floor in David Kinley Hall to the entire building at 501 E. Daniel), geographic reach (from working with faculty, staff, and students on campus to extending support to LEEP faculty and students at a distance), and complexity of tasks (helping us to comply with more rules and regulations). Their encyclopedic knowledge in their areas of responsibility and their patience in providing support to anyone needing their assistance are highly valued.”
Both staff members have been recognized at the campus level with the Chancellor’s Distinguished Staff Award, which recognizes “exceptional accomplishments and service to the University.” Painter received the award in 2001 and Eakin in 2002.
GSLIS Dean Emerita Leigh Estabrook, who worked closely with Eakin and Painter from 1986 to 2001, considers them as essential members of the administrative team. “They taught me everything,” she recalled. “They tolerated a lot of things…[and] unflappably took on all the new technologies. I never saw them sweat. They’re the kind of people you’d most like to work with in the world.”
“They’re an amazing team, but they’re very different in terms of their talents [and] qualities,” Estabrook continued. “Kathy’s the person who you will know more clearly what she thinks. She has the wickedest wit of about anybody I know. She is so determined and so proud of doing a good job.” Estabrook noted Sally’s determination in taking on new challenges. “Sally’s just very tolerant of doing things differently, [and she] was always one to express concern for other people.”
Eakin and Painter are known for setting a tone of respect, tolerance, and determination in the office—but they also know how to have fun. They’re easy to spot in orange and blue, which they wear often in support of Illinois sports teams. They even went so far as to have a television in the office when the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team made it to the Final Four in 1989, Estabrook recalled.
Eakin, a Bondville native who still lives in her hometown, and Painter, who has lived in Philo for most of her life, both enjoy gardening and exploring the great outdoors. The two have vacationed together, often on tours of scenic areas in the western U.S. including Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Mount Rushmore. Following their retirement, they hope to do more traveling, catch up on gardening and home repairs, and spend time with family.