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NIU board honors retiring recording secretary

June 19, 2014
Sharon Banks-Wilkins shakes hands with board chair John Butler following his reading of a resolution in her honor.

Sharon Banks-Wilkins shakes hands with board chair John Butler following his reading of a resolution in her honor.

The Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University recognized recording secretary Sharon Banks-Wilkins, who has served the board since its inception in 1996, with a resolution for her dedication and faithful service to NIU at its June 19 business meeting. Banks-Wilkins will retire June 30.

“I have been very happy and proud to have been employed by Northern Illinois University,” said Banks-Wilkins following the presentation of the resolution. “It has changed my life.”

For nearly seven years prior to her service at NIU, Banks-Wilkins was administrative assistant to the vice chancellor for academic affairs at the Board of Regents, which governed NIU and other state universities until December 31, 1995.

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, Sharon Marie Banks-Wilkins has faithfully served as Recording Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University since the Board’s inception on January 3, 1996 through her retirement on June 30; and

WHEREAS, prior to her appointment as Recording Secretary in 1996, Sharon served as Administrative Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the Board of Regents, NIU’s former governing body, from June 1988 through December 31, 1995; and

WHEREAS, given the scope and tenure of Sharon Banks-Wilkins’ service to Northern Illinois University, it is fitting and appropriate to give special notice and recognition to Sharon M. Banks-Wilkins who is retiring on June 30, 2014; and

WHEREAS, having served as Recording Secretary of the Presidential Search Committees during two presidential searches resulting in the hiring of Dr. John G. Peters and Dr. Douglas D. Baker; and

WHEREAS, having served under the leadership of three Northern Illinois University presidents, Dr. John La Tourette, Dr. John G. Peters and Dr. Douglas D. Baker;

WHEREAS, Sharon Banks-Wilkins contributed valuable insight and information to the Board of Trustees in the conversion to electronic Board reports for use in Board of Trustees meetings;

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees wishes to officially express its appreciation and gratitude for Sharon M. Banks-Wilkins’ many far-reaching contributions to Northern Illinois University.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University in formal meeting herein assembled extends its grateful appreciation to Sharon M. Banks-Wilkins for eighteen years of distinguished service to Northern Illinois University and its Board of Trustees.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this RESOLUTION be presented to Sharon M. Banks-Wilkins and a copy of this document be placed in the official files of the Board of Trustees as part of the permanent record of the university and the State of Illinois and as a lasting tribute to the ongoing accomplishments and contributions of Sharon Marie Banks-Wilkins as Recording Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University.
Adopted in a regular meeting assembled this 19th day of June, 2014.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Sharon Banks-Wilkins rocks.

Sharon Banks-Wilkins rocks.

“I still remember when you came to us, and we really needed you,” said Robert Boey, who has served the board, like Wilkins, since its inception. “Every successful board of trustees is only as good as the Sharon Banks. Thank you.”

Trustee Cherilyn G. Murer said of Banks-Wilkins, “The word that comes to mind is consistency. If you come to Sharon, she’s always professional and always has a smile on her face.”

That smile was evident when NIU Vice President Bill Nicklas carried in a rocking chair as a retirement gift from the board.

“This, I love it,” Banks-Wilkins said of the gift, adding that her time in service to the board and NIU has been “a joy and a pleasure.”