I don’t think I’ve ever told Dennis this story – and since time is running out, I figure I’d better not wait!
When I came to UIS 4 years ago to interview for this position, it was my first visit to campus. It was a 5-hour interview, and before it even started, I had to present at a conference downtown for my previous job. Quite frankly, the whole day is a blur – except for a few moments that I’ll never forget (including Pam’s interview question about the Twinkie!).
There was a formal presentation, interview questions about my experience and skillset, etc. But what stands out is a conversation Dennis had with me after the presentation. He wasn’t grilling me about my skills or testing my knowledge. He just started a conversation with me about webcasting and lecture capture. It may not sound like much at first. But in the context of a day when I had one shot to make an impression, Dennis took the time to talk to me like a colleague.
I had already determined that if I was lucky enough to be offered the position that I could do the job. Sure, there was a lot to learn. But I like to learn. What I was unsure about is whether or not I would fit in at UIS, if there was a place for me here. Dennis showed to me that UIS is not just a place to work but a place to work with others, that the folks here care about each other and not just the work to be done.
So that’s what I’ll remember most about Dennis. It made a real difference to me that day that he took the time to talk to me, not as a candidate, but as a colleague.
And I’ll always wonder how many times I’ve called them bulbs instead of lamps…