Aurora University Professor Recieves Service Award

AURORA, Ill. May 23, 2007 -Ileana Brooks of DeKalb, associate professor of economics and finance at Aurora University, received the 2007 Tony Olejnik Leadership Service Award at 114th annual commencement ceremonies May 5.

Brooks was honored for her leadership and commitment to excellence and positively shaping the lives of AU students in the Dunham School of Business.

Her citation and award were presented by Provost Andrew Manion.

Brooks joined AU in 1992 as an assistant professor in the Dunham School of Business and was promoted to associate professor in 1998. Prior to joining AU, she taught at Northern Illinois University and AT&T State University in Greensboro, N.C.

"A dedicated professor, she teaches a number of the foundational courses in the business major and she often meets with students outside of class to ensure their understanding of the course material," Manion said.

"For Dr. Brooks, learning extends beyond the classroom. As the coordinator of instructional technology from 2001 to 2003, she was the liaison between the information technology staff and AU faculty and promoted the use of technology in the classroom. During May Term, she has led trips to Costa Rica and she was a guest lecturer at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua in 2006.

"Her long list of service over the past decade demonstrates her dedication and commitment to the university. She has held leadership roles in the Dunham School of Business and faculty governance including serving on the faculty senate, the University Faculty Personnel Committee, the Dunham School of Business Faculty Search Committee and was the program chair of the business and M.B.A. programs."

Brooks is the faculty advisor to Delta Mu Delta Honor Society, the business honor society. She is one of the advisors to the Dunham Scholars and is the faculty coordinator for the Dunham Scholars Angle Tree Project.

"Dr. Brooks has a particular passion for the Dunham Scholars Program and maintains close personal connections to the current and past Dunham Scholars as well as the Dunham family," Manion said. "She also has served on the La Aurora New Beginning project management team, the Dunham School of Business assessment committee, the Spartan Award committee and on a number of search and personnel committees."

Brooks has contributed her professional expertise in the business community in a variety of ways. Since 1999, she has been an arbitrator in securities disputes in the NASD Regulation Office of Disputes. She has also been a consultant and expert witness on compensations disability cases for the law firm of Dreyer, Foote, Streit, Fergason and Slocum of Aurora.

She also has contributed her skills and talents to the greater community as well. She was a member of the YMCA of Aurora board of directors from 1994 to 1999, and was a certified foster parent in Illinois from 1997 to 1999. She currently participates in a variety of activities at St. Mary's Catholic Church and Hope Haven Homeless Shelter, both in DeKalb.

The Board of Trustees established the Leadership Service Award in 2003 to honor a member of the AU faculty or staff whose professional and personal life has embodied the core values of the university.

In 2004, the award was renamed for the late Olejnik, longtime AU and George Williams College faculty member and administrator who was a living example of integrity, citizenship, continuous learning and excellence.

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