Chancellor's comments about Lillian Casillas' Staff Merit Award.   
 
The first winner from the professional staff category is María Lillian Casillas, Director of La Casa, the Latino Cultural Center, and Multicultural Affairs. One recommender describes her responsibilities this way, "Lillian Casillas works tirelessly for the University through her position as director of the Latino Cultural Center. She spends many hours beyond regular office hours to ensure that the students have everything they need for their activities and to mentor them."

Another recommender has this to say, "I've know Lillian since her undergraduate days at IU, and I've seen her flourish from a first year student from 'The Region' lost in the vastness of our campus into an assertive professional dedicated to the welfare of all Latino students. The warmth and caring for students that Lillian acquired as a student staff member at La casa are now her trademarks as the Director of La Casa." This recommender adds, "Due to her outside activities, she is now a recognized and valued presence in the Bloomington community. Latinos from all walks of life have una verdaderra amiga in Lillian.

One recommender wrote about the significant task that faced Lillian when she accepted the positition, "Her appointment came at a time when there were concerns on the part of Latino students about the future of the center and support services that met their needs. I knew that if anyone could overcome the obstacles at the time to lead the center in a positive, successful direction, it would be Lillian. Having proven herself to be a terrific director, Lillian is held in high esteem by the students she serves, as well as by staff, faculty, and members of the Bloomington community. Most staff would consider Lillian's job to be too time consuming to allow for extra activities. Lillian, however, takes very seriously her role as an educator and leader in the broader community."

Finally, one of her supervisor's writes, "Lillian's strength is her ability to bring people together, to make them understand that working together they can accomplish more than could be accomplished working apart. Lillian has a quiet eloquence -- and elegance -- about her. She has a smooth, soulful style of enthusiastic acceptance to all whom she meets. I have had the pleasure of observing her work from a distance and (now) up close as her supervisor. In both circumstances, I have been deeply impressed with Lillian's commitment and dedication to the students and the philosophy of the center."

I think that one person said it best, "Lillian is La Casa. And La Casa is Lillian." Having recently attended an event at La Casa, I can tell you how true that is. Lillian, congratulations, and many thanks.