Founders Day wrapped up with the Alumni Awards Dinner, where six alumni and friends were honored for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the University.
One of these honorees was philosophy alumnus Michael Matejka ’74, recipient of the E. Burton Mercier Alumni Service Award along with his spouse, Karen “Kari” Sandhaas ’81, ’83.
Matejka, from Bloomington, is director of governmental affairs for the Great Plains Laborers District Council in Bloomington. Sandhaas is senior agency training designer at Country Financial in Bloomington.
The two award recipients met at Illinois State. He studied history and philosophy, while she completed degrees in art and art teacher education.
With the Laborers International Union, Matejka works to improve employment conditions. He has served 18 years on the Bloomington City Council and on numerous local boards.
Sandhaas designs leadership training and pioneered early Web-based training programs. She is the Ecology Action Center board president and Autism Society of McLean County vice president.
She and Matejka have a daughter, Loretta Santejka ’07, with Asperger’s Syndrome. They helped start ASMC employment awareness programs, such as Diversity’s Missing Piece, to open employment opportunities for adults with autism.
VIDEO: Matejka and Sandhaas talk about their Illinois State ties:
