Dean of students office manager dies

Office Manager for the Dean’s Office Ellie Maslowski, 65, died on her way to work on Tuesday, University officials said.

“The University has not yet been officially notified on information regarding the cause of Ellie’s death,” Director of News Services and Public Relations Alex Hummel said.  “We appreciated her dedication to her job in the campus community.” 

The University will release more information as it becomes available.

Maslowski worked at UW Oshkosh for 19 years.  Throughout her time at UWO, she worked as the office manager for the Dean of Students office, spearheaded the Classified Staff Advisory Council and acted as the manager of the Odyssey program for incoming students. 

“She made the Dean of Students office warm and welcoming to all who entered and supported the staff in so many incredible ways both professionally and personally,” Assistant Dean of Students Debbie Gray Patton said.

Dean of Students Emeritus James Chitwood said he remembered Maslowski as a passionate and hardworking colleague. 

“She made coming to work enjoyable and kept an upbeat tempo in the office,” Chitwood said.

One of Maslowski’s biggest achievements while at UWO was her instrumental role in the development of the Classified Staff Advisory Council. 

“The major reason why we should remember her is her work with the advisory advisery council,” Chancellor Richard Wells said.  “It was the first of its kind in the UW system and gave the classified staff a voice.”

   The Advisory Council began in May 2001 and continues to join and advise members of the classified staff.  Maslowski was the first to chair the council. 

Maslowski would organize an annual Classified Staff Appreciation Day every summer which includes both professional and personal enrichment activities.  She would also organize various community service projects throughout Oshkosh, according to Wells. 

Other UW schools have begun similar programs at their schools due to its success at UWO, according to Wells. 

“A lot of times people start something and it’s okay but then fades,” Wells said.  “This is something that started and kept getting better and better.”

In addition to her work on the council, Maslowski worked closely with the Odyssey program along with Gray Patton. 

“She loved the Odyssey days and made the most of all her interactions with students, parents and other staff,” Gray Patton said.  “Our 12 hour days didn’t seem as long because she made it fun.”

Students who worked with her for Odyssey events enjoyed her positive attitude and upbeat personality. 

“She always had a smile on her face and was cheerful even at six in the morning when none of the captains wanted to be awake,” Oshkosh senior Brittany Finn said.  “She cared about everyone and she will be greatly missed.”

Maslowski also trained and oversaw eight student workers in the Dean of Students office every year. 

“Ellie was more than a supervisor to students, she was like a second mom,” Assistant Dean of Students Terri Gohmann said.

As an employee, Maslowski was very dependable and organized Chitwood said. 

“We knew that we could trust her, even with confidential information, which is very important,” Chitwood said.

In 2011 Maslowski was the recipient of the Wisconsin College Personnel Association’s Support Staff Recognition Award, a statewide award which is given to someone who “strives to support the mission of their department and/or institution,” the Wisconsin College Personnel Association website said.

“She had a great ability to make things happen and get things done which not a lot of people have,” Assistant Dean of Students Rinardo Reddick said.

Dean of Students Sharon Kipetz encourages students who may be dealing with grief due to Maslowski’s passing to visit the Student Counseling Center.

Funeral

Arrangements

Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until the service begins at 10 a.m. at St. Raphael’s.

Memorials can be made to Lourdes Academy Music Department.