University News

Longtime Library Employee Marla Vizdal to Retire

December 1, 2008

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MACOMB, IL -- Need a photo from Homecoming 1950? Ask Marla Vizdal. Seeking the 1929 Sequel? Ask Marla Vizdal. Need information on how the Mormons made their way to this region? Ask Marla Vizdal. Like a magician with a never-ending bag of tricks, longtime Western Illinois University Archives and Special Collections employee Marla Vizdal, who will retire this month after 33 years, can find almost anything.

Vizdal began working in the WIU Library (now called the Leslie F. Malpass Library) in 1975, five years after moving to Macomb to attend Western. After working for a few years in library acquisitions and circulation, Vizdal transferred to Archives and Special Collections in 1979 and has remained in that library unit since. Over the years she has received several promotions and will retire as a library operations associate. She received her BOG/BA degree (now called BOT/BA) in 1983.

A reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 in the Malpass Library staff lounge (first level). Campus and community members are invited.

In her 29 years in Archives and Special Collections, Vizdal has overseen the archives operations, including accepting, arranging and processing University papers, and assisting in Special Collections. She has authored or co-authored the former Macomb Eagle column, "Images of the Past," and has been the longtime author of "Blasts from the Past" for WIU's alumni newspaper, Western News. In addition, Vizdal worked directly with the graduate students in the Illinois Regional Archives Depository for many years, serving as their liaison with the Illinois State Archives.

"We are losing a highly valuable employee and an outstanding resource," noted Jeff Hancks, Libraries assistant professor and Archives and Special Collections unit coordinator. "We will miss Marla and her expertise; we are so appreciative of the work she has done throughout the years. We wish her the very best."

Vizdal was the recipient of the WIU Service Recognition Award for Civil Service in 1994, as well as the Civil Service Employee of the Month Award in December 1994. In 2008, she received the WIU Community Service Award for Civil Service. In addition to her regular duties, she has served on the Civil Service Employees Council (CSEC), the CSEC Elections Committee and the CSEC Salary Review Committee.

In the community, she is a member of the Community Quality of Life Advisory Committee's Historical Task Force; is co-chair of the Friends of Vishnu; past secretary and incoming president of the McDonough County Genealogical Society; and a member of the Macomb Historic Preservation Commission.


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