The Neal R. Gamsky Quality of Student Life Award was presented to Barb Dallinger at a Division of Student Affairs ceremony in December. She will also be honored at the Founders Day Convocation on February 15.

Dallinger is the associate director for event services and catering, in Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality. Employed by Illinois State for the past 25 years, she has previously worked in the College of Fine Arts and in various positions in the Division of Student Affairs, including University Housing Services and the Dean of Students Office. In her current role in Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality, Dallinger works in the Bone Student Center and functions as the manager of Braden Auditorium for major concerts and events.

With a reputation of mentoring and impacting the lives of countless students, Dallinger has received the Illinois State University Distinguished Service Award and numerous Division of Student Affairs STAR Awards. She was named Advisor of the Year for her work with the PRIDE organization, and also helped found the LGBTQ Alumni Network. She has served as the chair of the Triangle Association and the LGBTQ Faculty-Staff organization, and currently sits on the LGBT Resource Fund committee. She has also served on the boards of the LGBT Queer Studies Institute, the Illinois Soldiers & Sailors Children’s School Historical Preservation Society, and Illinois State University’s Friends of the Arts.

She received both her bachelor’s degree in music education and master’s degree in college student personnel administration from Illinois State University.