Since 1974, Judith Yeck has served the students, faculty, staff and visitors to the journalism college as a staff assistant. After a 36-year career Yeck will be retiring early next year. In honor of her retirement, a celebration will be held in the Heritage Room of the Nebraska Union on Thursday, Jan. 6 from 3-5 p.m.
As staff and faculty members have come and gone and generations of students have graduated, Yeck's presence in the J school has been a constant. She has witnessed monumental milestones for the college, from new deans to shifts in technology. In 1979, Yeck was here when the Regents moved the J school to independent status and when Neale Copple was named the first dean. She experienced the transition of the School of Journalism to a college in 1985. Will Norton became the second dean in 1990 and the college moved to Harold and Marian Andersen Hall in 2001. In 2010, Yeck was here again to welcome the third dean, Gary Kebbel.
Yeck said her favorite part of her job has been working with students and professors, but she also realizes it is time to close this chapter of her life.
"All good things must come to an end," she said.
Over her years in the college, Yeck has touched many lives. Her smile and willingness to help have been appreciated by many. She even keeps in touch with graduates from the journalism college, she said.
Dean Gary Kebbel has not known Yeck as long as some, yet he has experienced her effect on everyone who interacts with her.
"We will all miss her cheerful presence and constant desire to help," Kebbel said.
He has also extended an invitation to Yeck to volunteer with the college anytime she wants. She has been the pleasant face of the college for thousands of students through the years, Kebbel said. He knows how much she will be missed and how much she will also miss the students, he said.
Yeck's service to the college has not gone unnoticed by the university, either. In 1989 she was honored with the certificate for "meritorious service and dedication to improving the quality of the university" by the Nebraska Board of Regents. In 2003, she was awarded the Floyd S. Oldt Silver Pen Award from the University of Nebraska Office Personnel Association
Associate dean Charlyne Berens said, "While we will miss the woman who has become the friendly face of he J school, we believe she deserves to relax a bit and do exactly what she wants to do. We wish her well."
The college is accepting messages from idividuals who want to extend well wishes to Yeck. Send messages to CoJMC at cojmc@unlnotes.unl.edu.
