Barbara Edyburn nee Munro
Excerpt from Non Academic Employees Council News in 1981 Heading link
For the past 14 years, Barbara Munro has served the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle and her fellow employees with dedication and enthusiasm. Her attitude about the campus is apparent the moment you meet her.
Barbara is president of the Nonacademic Employees’ Council. Prior to assuming the Council’s top post in 1978, she served as Chicago Circle Center’s representative to the group and later served as its secretary. Barbara is a member of the Nonacademic Advisory Committee to University Director of Personnel Donald Ward.
The highlight of President Munro’s term has been the Institution of the Janice Watkins Award for Distinguished Civil Service. The award was developed through joint efforts of nonacademic employees and campus administrators to recognize civil service staff whose dedication to the university goes beyond the call of duty. Recipients of the Janice Watkins Award are chosen by their co-workers. A ceremony is held annually to honor these outstanding employees.
During her presidency, Council members have frequently presented the concerns of nonacademic staff to a wide range of university administrators. Positive action has resulted from many of these discussions.
Barbara has been a member of the university community since 1966. She was initially employed as a clerk-typist I at Chicago Circle Center, promoted to clerk-typist II and chief clerk. She currently is assistant bookstore manager.
Barbara is one of two nonacademic employees appointed by University of Illinois President Stanley O. Ikenberry to serve on the Committee to Study Consolidation of the Chicago Campuses. Other activities include membership on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Circle Campus Credit Union; committee work with the service awards for long-term university employment; two search committees for the director of personnel; staff development and orientation; Council social committee chairperson; and publications committee work.
A resident of Chicago’s Northwest Side, Barbara graduated from Steinmetz High School. She attended Northeastern Illinois University for 1 ½ years and then joined the UICC staff.
President Munro also enjoys membership with the Order of the Eastern Star of Illinois, a fraternal auxiliary of the Masons. She joined the organization in 1965 and served as presiding officer in 1970. Since then, Barbara has held the elected office of secretary.
Barbara shared her thoughts about a part of Chicago Circle. “I have learned much in my short time with the university, and I have met some very interesting and dedicated employees, both nonacademic and academic. I feel that the university has much to offer an employee if they take time and put an effort into looking around them, Our university is a good place to work and more people than you know are trying to make it a better place to be.”
One of those people is Barbara Munro.