University News

Cook Named WIU Employee of the Month for September

September 28, 2022

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MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University Senior Library Specialist William Cook has been named the Al and Elaine Goldfarb Civil Service Employee of the Month for September 2022.

Cook was hired at WIU in January 2000 as a Library Tech Assistant I and was promoted to Library Tech Assistant II in March 2002. His title was changed to Library Specialist in October 2005, and he was reclassified by audit to his current position in September 2018.

Cook's nominator said he is an "outstanding employee" who has shown "great leadership in managing the Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) program for the University Libraries."

"The pandemic created a lot of problems for IRAD, but (William) worked with Springfield to stay in compliance with state guidelines and communicating this to patrons," said Cook's nominator. "IRAD was overhauled this past year because of his efforts. As a result, the office and storage area were cleared of unneeded documents and reorganized."

Cook's nominator added that his nomination demonstrates his commitment to WIU's core values, and to diversity and internationalization campus by hiring students from Ghana, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Mexico and the U.S.

"His encouragement allowed students to create a display in Archives and Special Collections highlighting WIU's history regarding international students," his nominator said.

In August 2010, the Goldfarbs established an endowment to permanently fund the University's Civil Service Employee of the Month award. The Goldfarb endowment is used to fund a $100 award for the recipient of the Civil Service Employee of the Month, as well as a plaque.

The WIU Foundation provides a $500 stipend for the Civil Service Employee of the Year. Western faculty, staff and administrators, as well as community members, wishing to nominate a civil service employee for the monthly recognition should contact the Civil Service Employees Council (CSEC) at csec-nominations-g@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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