Gwen Pinager

Gwen Pinager By Jim La Velle

“Anyone who could handle her job for nine years deserves a medal," said Donna Dorney, chairperson of the Janice Watkins Award Screening Committee, about award winner Gwen Pinager.

Dorney knows what she's talking about -it was the same job she held before 1992, when Pinager took over as information services supervisor in the College of Nursing's Global Health Leadership Office.

As its name implies, the office has global ambitions andongoing worldwide initiatives, including WHO collaborations and college based programs.

Pinager makes travel arrangements for a highly mobile staff while coordinating the regular arrival and orientation of short and long-term visiting scholars and students.

She shepherds newly arrived international students through the sometimes labyrinthine enrollment process and helps get them settled into the community and their studies.

"Students from all over the world show up on our doorstep with minimal English skills, far from home, often friendless," says Todd Hissong, the office's communications manager.

Gwen consistently takes these students under her wing, offering a shoulder to cry on if needed, and makes the administrative process work for them. Many of these students would have literally been lost without her caring support."

Beth Marks, a visiting research specialist in developmental disabilities, remembers that during her postdoctoral training at the College of Nursing, she too benefited from Pinager's "high integrity, dependability, enthusiasm and commitment."

"She is exceptional in providing support to everyone who walks through her door and always offers kind words of encouragement before you leave her office." Marks said. Coworkers say Pinager projects a calming influence as she solves problems, dispenses information and quietly makes life easier for students, staff, faculty and -most of all -director Beverly McElmurry, associate dean and director of the Global Health Leadership Office.

In Primary Health Care in Urban Communities, McElmurry, the lead author, dedicated the 1999 book to Pinager, calling her the glue that holds it all together."

"Gwen keeps the staff sane and organized while also serving as a strong, caring and resilient role model for students and community women alike. We are in her debt." McElmurry wrote.

Pinager came to the college in 1992 after running a secretarial support service. She started as a home-based business, moved it down-town to Michigan Avenue a year later, then passed it on to her sister.

Pinager is active in the Greater Institutional AME Church, where she is director of Christian education, sings in the choir and involves herself in youth programs and missionary work.

She is a long-time Girl Scout troop leader and service unit cookie sales coordinator for about 30 troops. She was a member of the Girl Scouts of Chicago board of directors and a Junior Achievement small business partner.

As busy as her life is, Pinager manages to bring a sense of unassuming tranquility to the most hectic situations.

“Some people lead by example without expounding about their philosophy of life,” said McElmurry.

“This maturity about life and acceptance of others is an attribute of Ms. Pinager that seems to ‘rub off’ on others.”

One thing Pinager would like to experience is more travel.

“In 1999 I won a trip to Lithuania in a raffle,” she said.

“I didn’t know anyone in Lithuania and my husband, having travelled extensively in the Navy, prefers not to travel these days. So my sister and I went and had a terrific time.

“I’d really like to see more of the world.”

Given her ability to relate to people from many cultures and bring calm to difficult situations, the world might benefit from seeing more of Gwen Pinager.