Alberta Ciebien, a dedicated employee of DePaul University for more than 30 years who played a key role in DePaul’s commencement ceremonies, died Sept. 13 at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center after a long battle with scleroderma.

Ciebien (nee Partyka), 50, came to DePaul fresh from high school in 1967 and began working as a secretary in the College of Commerce. She served in a similar capacity in the management, rehabilitation services and public services departments, touching the lives of many DePaul employees and students before joining the registrar’s office in 1979.

As assistant and then associate registrar, Ciebien coordinated cap and gown distribution for as many as 3,700 graduates who attended five separate ceremonies in three different locations each year.

Longtime colleague Susan Wachowski, an associate registrar at DePaul, remembers Ciebien’s role vividly. "Alberta would be on-site at 6 a.m. She’d have a walkie-talkie in one hand and a bull horn in the other. When graduates were lining up to march into the ceremony, Alberta would be fluffing the gowns and hoods."

In 1997, the university honored Ciebien for 30 years of service.

"Alberta served DePaul with dedication and heart for three decades, the last 20 in the Registrar's Office, where she was noted for her ability to gather the resources and to make the connections to get things done," said Registrar Nancy Gall.

Ciebien is survived by her husband Larry, sister Mary Ann Augustyn, brother-in-law Stanley Augustyn, mother-in-law Emily Ciebien and goddaughter Julianne Zadelek in addition to numerous aunts and uncles.

Visitation will be held Thursday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Modell Funeral Home, 7710 S. Cass Ave. in Darien. Visitation will continue from 8:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday, with prayers beginning at 9 a.m. at Modell. A Mass of The Resurrection will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace, 701 Plainfield Road in Darien with interment following immediately at Clarendon Hills Mausoleum, 6900 S. Cass Ave. in Darien. A memorial service will be held at a later date at DePaul.

Note to Editors: Larry Ciebien can be reached at 630/964-6754. Nancy Gall can be reached at 312/362-8617. Susan Wachowski can be reached at 312/362-8705. Modell Funeral Home can be reached at 630/852-3595.