A program assistant who has worked with top academic administrators during her 26-year career at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will leave her post at the end of this month.

Sonja Derkez, who came to UWSP in 1976, retires as a Program Assistant Advanced-Confidential in the Office of Academic Affairs headed by Provost/Vice Chancellor William Meyer. Derkez, who has assisted Meyer for seven years, says she has great respect for both Meyer and his predecessor, Provost/Vice Chancellor Emeritus Howard Thoyre. She worked with Thoyre for 15 years both in his role as Vice Chancellor and as Dean of the College of Letters and Science (L&S).

"I can�t thank them enough for believing in me and giving me the chance to learn and grow in my career," she says.

A Tomah native, Derkez began her career as a school secretary in her hometown, then served as secretary to the head of the Finance and Accounting Office at Fort McCoy. Her first job in state service was at UW-Sheboygan County, followed by positions in the State Department of Administration, UW-Madison Registrar�s Office and UW-Eau Claire Personnel Office.

Upon transferring to UWSP, she worked in the Office of Extended Services and in the L&S dean�s office for six years before joining Academic Affairs.

"I have been extremely fortunate throughout my career to have worked for and with some really wonderful people. UWSP is a tremendous place and is filled with unlimited opportunities to learn and advance," she says.

During her career at UWSP, Derkez has been recognized for exceptional performance and meritorious service.

Her involvement on campus has included terms on the Classified Staff Advisory Committee (CSAC), including one year as co-chair. She is especially proud of her role in seeking and obtaining the $650 stipend attached to the Carolyn Sargis Award, the top classified staff recognition at UWSP.

She also has served on the Appointment, Payroll and Benefits Team, Chancellor�s Cabinet, Parking Appeals Committee, Oversight Campus Personnel Team and other committees involved with designing a campus-wide data base system. She assisted with the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation visit to UWSP in 1998.

Derkez�s retirement plans include activities with her husband, Jim, a director of claims-commercial lines at Sentry Insurance, and their two dogs. Time also will be devoted to their son, Scott, a sales account manager for Crane Engineering, and his wife, Amy, a sales analyst for Alta Resources, Appleton, and their first grandchild, due to be born in June.

Derkez also plans to remain active with her church and pursue her hobbies of gardening, needlepoint and woodworking.

She is the daughter of the late Walter and Maude Linder of Tomah and a 1965 Tomah High School graduate.

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