Reception Honors Ilona Reif

June 7, 2010
Woman smiling
Ilona Reif

A reception honoring Ilona Reif, College of Arts and Sciences student affairs coordinator, will be held Wednesday, June 16, from 2-4 p.m. in the Wyoming Union Family Room. A presentation is scheduled at 3 p.m.

She is retiring after more than 20 years of service to UW.

"I have worked with Ilona since 1984 when she became a graduate student in Department of Political Science," says Oliver Walter, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "Ilona's strengths lie in her dedication to the welfare of students. I suppose the characteristic that I have appreciated most is her persistent enthusiasm for the college, its students, its programs and its faculty. Nobody puts a better face on UW than does Ilona when meeting prospective students and their parents."

Reif and her husband, professor emeritus of art David Reif, moved to Laramie in 1970, and in 1984 she entered the M.P.A. program and became a teaching assistant in the Department of Political Science. In 1987 Walter, who was then department head, hired her to be coordinator of advising, giving her the opportunity to realize her passion for academics by working with students and faculty. When Walter became dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Reif went with him to coordinate advising for the college.

Reif's responsibilities in the Dean's Office evolved over the years. She watched course registration move from Half Acre Gym to the "STAR" telephone system to full-fledged computer registration.

"It has been my fortune and pleasure to work with the faculty, staff, and administration in the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as other units across campus, including Student Affairs, Athletics Academic Support, and this spring, especially the staff in the Information Technology Center," says Reif.

"I have learned so much and will miss the camaraderie and team efforts that have been professionally and personally fulfilling," she continues. "I have been happiest when working with individual students -- whether introducing them to great learning opportunities or advising them and solving quite a few academic glitches. I am truly proud of this university and honored to have been a part of it."

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