Janice Watkins Awards 2000 Article

Watkins Winners Take the Extra Step for UIC and Their Communities by Jim La Velle

Donna Dorney 

The sign on Donna Dorney's door in the Behavioral Sciences Building reads "Mother of Students".

The sign was placed there by students grateful for the caring they found within.

Dorney, the criminal justice department administrative assistant, is know for her loving heart and considerable ability to get things done.

"Donna is the hub of our department," said Matthew Lippman, professor and acting head of the department.

"At any given time there are three or four people crowded into her office patiently seeking assistance."

In addition to acting as mentor to graduate students, staff, faculty, and "various lost souls," Lippman said, "she regularly opens her home to students seeking comfort and security.

"In addition, she has permitted new faculty to stay with her while they searched for a place to live, as well as graduate students who could not afford other housing."

Dorney's a single mother whose son Larry was in high school at the time, had just started work at UIC in the department of maternal-child nursing.

"I quickly came to admire the courage of international students who came here with little money or support so they could learn new skills to bring to their practice back home," she said.

"These were women from Asian and African countries who struggled with the language, with finding safe and affordable housing, with just about everything. But they were also tough and determined, and I could tried to do whatever I could to help them - typing their papers, taking them out to eat, and from time to time taking them into my home.

"My son used to ask in bewilderment what language each new houseguest spoke. But then he'd take them out to the backyard and entertain them with his barbeque abilities.

"Watching Larry cook always fascinated our guests and made them feel at home."

This kind of willingness to go the extra mile prompted then-nursing dean Mitzi Duxbury to ask Dorney to help organize a new office within the college to aid international students.

When her son graduated from Kenwood Academy and left for college, Dorney looked for a new challenge. In 1993 she joined the department of criminal justice, which was struggling with the loss of key personnel.

"Donna was replacing a beloved figure who was viewed as irreplaceable by the faculty," said Lippman. "It is a testimony to Donna's abilities and talents that she has become such a cherished member of our community."

Gregory Matoesian, associate professor of criminal justice, thinks Dorney has become irreplaceable.

"She knows where every penny is spent, who to call if you need something, and how to go about solving whatever problem that crops up.

"Just as important, in our world of rational and impersonal bureaucracy, Donna stands out as someone who brings an emotional, personal and caring dimension to the department, and that is a feature of warmth that makes me - and I'm sure my colleagues and graduate/undergraduate students - feel like coming to the department every day."

Dorney, who lives in Forest Park, volunteers every other Saturday night at a homeless shelter in Berwyn, instructs Catholic eighth grade students in religion on Thursday nights, meets regularly with her neighborhood watch group, and spends Friday nights and Saturdays with her grandchildren: Jillian, 4, and Jocelyn, 2.

Lately, the 57-year-old Dorney has been taking an active interest in politics, including successfully working for the election of Forest Park mayor Tony Calderone.

"In time, I have my eye on running for building commissioner. I love Forest Park. It's a great place with a great mix of people, and I'd like to make sure it stays that way.

"However, with all I have going on here and at home, running for office may have to wait until I retire."

Christina Encina 

Working quietly and effectively at UIC since the early 1970s, Christina "Tina" Encina finds the recognition she received as a winner of the Janice Watkins award overwhelming -- and a bit uncomfortable.

"When I first heard I was being nominated, I wanted to say no, I didn't want to be singled out. And when I won, I really didn't want to go to the award ceremony," she said.

"I was talked into going and I enjoyed it, but I'd rather not have all the attention. I love what I do, but I really prefer to keep a low profile."

Such reticence does not surprise anyone who knows or works with Encina.

"Tina is a wonderful woman who does not like the limelight," said Rosalie Sagraves, dean of the College of Pharmacy - one of the several current and former administrators in the college to nominate Encina for the Janice Watkins award.

According to Sagraves, Encina deserves to be recognized as much for her warmth and kindness as for her considerable organizational skills.

"When I became dean, I quickly learned that Tina was the most trusted and respected individual in the college," Sagraves said.

"The college is her second home and the individuals within it her second family."

Janet Engle, the college's associate dean for academic affairs, has worked with Encina for 14 years. She is quick to praise Encina's organizational and analytical skills, as well as her desire to see projects through to a successful conclusion.

"Tina is always willing to help out regardless of the personal sacrifice the work may entail," said Engle.

"I often find her here working late at night and on the weekends. Her commitment to UIC and the College of Pharmacy is admirable."

Since 1972 Encina has been secretary to two interim deans in the College of Pharmacy, remaining a constant source of kindness and competence for each new administrator.

"I believe that this has occurred," said Sagraves, "because Tina goes beyond the normal level of duties to make sure that all individuals who come to the dean's office for help and advice receive appropriate attention.

"Problems are solved and situations that appear major are reduced to minor events because she knows the campus and those behind the scene who get things done.

"Without her day-to-day efforts the college would be a different place - one less inviting and one where the sunshine of her smile would not make our days brighter."

Engle thinks it may be Encina's many daily acts of kindness that set her apart.

"Tina is a pleasure to work with. Regardless of how busy she is, she always has time to look at baby pictures or to inquire about family. She has brought me plants from her garden when I was first establishing one of my own," Engle said.

"She is one of the most thoughtful people I have encountered."