Each year Illinois State University’s Alumni Association recognizes alumni for their outstanding contributions to their fields, their impact on society, and their passion for Illinois State through the Alumni Awards program. They include:

Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. John Swalec ’56, M.S. ’58, Ph.D. ’75
President Emeritus, Waubonsee Community College
Major/College: Physical Education/ Health Physical Education/Educational Administration, College of Applied Science and Technology/College of Education  

Alumni Achievement Award
Jackie L. Thompson ’93
Brigadier General and Chief Defense Counsel, Office of Military Commissions
Major/College: Criminal Justice Sciences, College of Applied Science and Technology

Chris Voelz ’70
Executive Director, Collegiate Women Sports Awards
Major/College: Physical Education, College of Applied Science and Technology

Senator John W. Maitland Jr., Commitment to Education Award
Dr. Daniel López, Ph.D. ’02
President, Harold Washington College, City Colleges of Chicago
Major/College: Educational Administration, College of Education

E. Burton Mercier Alumni Service Award
Norris Porter ’88, M.S. ’89
Development Director, McLean County Museum of History
Major/College: Business Education, College of Business

Andrew Purnell Jr. Trailblazer Award
Brian Little ’81, M.S. ’83
Vice President and Global Head of Corporate Human Resources, Intel
Major/College: Communication, College of Arts and Sciences

Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Grant Anderson ’11
Government and Global Trade Associate, Mayer Brown LLP
Major/College: Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences

Erin (Dixson) Levzow ’06
Global Chief Marketing Officer, Museum of Ice Cream
Major/College: Theatre and Dance, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts

Nominations are also being sought for the 2024 Alumni Awards. Deadline to submit is July 31, 2023.