By By JOHN EBY / Edwardsburg Argus
DOWAGIAC -- Ilene Sheffer's appreciation dinner was attended by 162 people Saturday night at Elks Lodge 889 as she becomes vice chancellor for public affairs and university advancement for Indiana University South Bend on July 1.
The roasters exploited Sheffer's fondness for desserts and shopping -- especially colorful shoes like those which ringed the head table.
State Rep. Rick Shaffer, R-Three Rivers, presented Sheffer with a legislative tribute signed by himself, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and state Sen. Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks.
John Pitcher, SMC's senior vice president and chief financial officer, gave Sheffer a gift certificate to The Marshall Shoppe, a gold and diamond pendant and gold and diamond earrings.
Sheffer pronounced it "one of the most wonderful evenings of my life.
President Emeritus David Briegel, the master of ceremonies, "taught me about loyalty, humility and selflessness."
Ilene was 20 and Rick was 24 when they met. "He was a dashing naval officer and he proposed to me five days after I met him. I said yes, which you wouldn't think. He said there was a sparkle in my eye and a fire in my belly and he was going to encourage me to be whatever I wanted -- even if he lost me in the process. At 20, I thought that was sweet. At 54, I leave the house every day knowing I'm adored from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes. I'm married to someone who for the last 30 years has truly cherished me."
They moved to Philadelphia, where Ilene taught third grade in another inner-city neighborhood. A Midwest transfer for Rick moved the Sheffers to Buchanan in 1971.
Ilene taught fifth grade for six years in Berrien Springs, then became community school director for four years. During that time she earned her master's degree at age 23 and her doctorate at 30, both from Western Michigan University, while having two children, Jolie in 1976 and Garrett in 1980.
Jolie finished her master's degree at the University of Virginia. She received the Jacob Javits award for the humanities -- "it's only given to 100 students in the United States." Garrett graduated from Michigan State and is a biomechanical engineer in Warsaw, Ind.
After building their Edwardsburg home in 1980, Ilene was anxious to continue her educational career in Cass County. Dowagiac Union Schools hired her as community education director, 1981-83, and, from 1983-85, when she joined SMC, principal of Central.
Joan Gaideski of SMC's Monday Night Running Club, secretary at Central for about 15 years when Sheffer started, said "Gert Scott and I were anxious to meet our new principal -- and in walked this blonde with her Saks Fifth Avenue suit, her New York accent and, to top it all off, three-inch spiked heels. Gert and I raised our eyebrows and said she's not even going to make it. We were wrong. At the end of two years she had everybody's respect. Never once did she hesitate to go up those three flights of stairs.
Cass County Probate and Family Court Judge Susan Dobrich said, "Ilene is a leader who's done so many wonderful things for this community."
Sheffer has served on the Edwardsburg school board, chaired the Human Services Coordinating Council, developed theater, travel and scholarship programs and belongs to the Edwardsburg Chamber of Commerce, for which she helped develop Kraus Park.
Sheffer joined SMC in 1985 as admissions director and became dean of admissions and counseling in 1987; vice president for community and technical services in 1991; and vice president for community services and development in 1996.
She also held the collateral title of foundation exective director since 1991. "We've gone from $3.9 million to $9 million raised in the last 12 years, and another $8 million in wills. We are No. 3 in the 28 community colleges in the state of Michigan. I have a wonderful product to sell."
As vice president, Sheffer oversaw community services (continuing education), the Fred L. Mathews Library, computing services, the fitness and wellness center, the museum, Niles Area Campus and all other extension sites, the distance learning classroom, the video production center, Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound and campus development and alumni functions.
Sheffe completed two marathons in Hawaii and Washington, D.C., and four half marathons in Indianapolis and Chicago -- not bad for a kid who never learned to ride a bike, roller skate or ice skate.
SMC President Dr. David M. Mathews followed his father to the podium. Mathews recalled Sheffer reading a newspaper article about "the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much chocolate, impulse buying and driving too fast. 'Are they kidding?' she said. 'That's my idea of the perfect day.'
Ron Gunn, director of wellness activities, asked, "What do you say about someone who's affected your life so much? Ilene is not only a boss and a leader and a professional inspiration, but she's a mentor, a personal friend and a soulmate."
Ilene cares about her staff and does all the things that are most appreciated -- birthday cards, notes, going out for lunch. She has a real interest in people's lives and families.