Mamie Gray
Wheels Within Wheels by Sabryna Cornish
If you want to see Mamie Gray outside the communication department, better look fast. Gray, the department's administrative secretary, will be wheeling off on her bicycle -- she rides to work year-round. "It started when my car didn't work," Gray said. "That was in 1989. It was the last car I had."
Here are some other interesting facts about Gray: she's a Chicago native, one of eight children and a vegetarian since high school. She's a member of almost every art museum in the city and, like the rest of the staff in her department, obsessed with the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Gray is active in the Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Women. As chair of the communications subcommittee, she helps produce a monthly newsletter that highlights women's accomplishments and activities on campus.
In the communication department, she organizes graduate applications, monitors the budget and provides general services for faculty and students. She's the official techie in the communication department and the unofficial techie in her neighborhood, giving advice and fixing computer problems for neighbors.
"It's interesting and different each day," said Gray, who has worked at UIC for 22 years.
"I really enjoy working with the students and the faculty," she said.
The feeling is mutual.
"Without exception, Mamie has been a model of caring and compassion, of willingness and cooperation, of assistance well beyond the call of duty," said Dace Kezbers, academic adviser for the communication department.
"Mamie has performed excellently in all aspects of her varied duties, and her work ethic is not merely responsive but proactive."
Gray teaches ceramics and clay art to children and seniors three days a week at the WACA/Victory Club and Douglas Park.
For the children, she incorporates facts into the lessons; they learn geography and math as well as art.
"Many of Chicago's underprivileged children are blessed by the presence of Mamie Gray," Kezbers said.