CARBONDALE, Ill. --In her
free time, Murphysboro resident Catherine A. "Kitty" Mabus guides the Business and Professional
Women's Club, helps balance the books of a civic group devoted to recycling and revitalization,
directs two church choirs, serenades the elderly at Christmas time and works at charity telefunds.
That's in addition to her job as administrative assistant in the foreign languages and literatures department, on Southern Illinois University's Carbondale campus.
On Thursday (March 13), the SIU Board of Trustees commended Mabus by giving her the 1997 Lindell W. Sturgis Award for Public Service. It carries a $500 cash prize.
The award is the only one given directly by the Board. It honors the late Lindell W. Sturgis of Metropolis, who for more than three decades served on the State Teachers College Board and the SIU Board. Sturgis chaired the SIU Board from 1969 until he retired in 1971. He died in 1972.
"Kitty not only excels as a leader, she serves as a mentor who inspires and encourages others to excel," Glenda S. Noble, business manager of SIUC's Coal Research Center, wrote in a nominating letter.
"She has a natural talent for motivating others to get involved and make a difference in their communities."
Mabus joined SIUC's office staff in 1974. Since that time she has helped organize staff development programs for University employees and worked with the SIUC Women's Caucus to define and meet the needs of University women.
Additionally, she has served on the Civil Service Council since 1989, has worked as a campus ambassador for the SIU Employees Credit Union for more than two decades, and belonged to numerous SIUC search committees and advisory panels.
In 1994, she joined the board of the Jackson County chapter of the SIU Alumni Association, where she serves on scholarship and service committees.
"Kitty is cheerful, easy to get along with and a friend to virtually everyone she meets. She is able to deal with students, faculty and administrators with a sense of warmth and acceptance that makes her always welcome," wrote John S. Jackson , SIUC provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Mabus previously won the University Woman of Distinction Award in 1990 and the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award in 1992.
A talented vocalist, she annually sings at Christmas gatherings as part of the 20-year-old Holiday Quartet. She shares her vocal talents at The Orthodox church in Royalton, where she directs a children's choir and works as an assistant director of the adult choir. Mabus earned a bachelor's degree in music at SIUC in 1990 and began work on a master's degree in workforce education and development in 1994.
