The Outstanding University Service Award and the Service Initiative Awards were presented at the Founding Celebration on February 15, 2024.
Outstanding University Service Award
The Outstanding University Service Award is presented to faculty members whose service to Illinois State is significant and meritorious. Service is a central component of Illinois State’s mission and governance.
Lea Cline, Wonsook Kim School of Art
Dr. Lea Cline joined the School of Art in 2012 as an assistant professor, becoming professor in 2022. In 2015, she received the University Service Initiative Award; in 2020, she was awarded the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Outstanding Service Award. She has also received the University Initiative Teaching Award, Outstanding Research Award, and has received multiple grants during her tenure, including most recently an ISU ARCS grant. Cline has served on the Academic Senate, including serving as a member of the Executive Committee and chair of the Academic Affairs Committee. She has served on the College Faculty Status Committee and Curriculum Committees. She is currently serving as a Provost’s Fellow and continues as a member of the General Education Task Force-Executive Committee. She serves as the area coordinator for the Wonsook Kim of School of Art. A former Fulbright recipient herself, Cline serves as a Fulbright Student Program Advisor. She has been involved in community initiatives, such as the West Side Revitalization Project and brick streets preservation. She also served on the Board of Advisors for the Miller Park Zoo and was elected to the McLean County Board in 2020.
Service Initiative Awards
Service Initiative Awards are presented to early-career faculty members who have shown considerable promise.
Michael Hendricks, Politics and Government
Dr. Michael Hendricks joined the Department of Politics and Government in 2019. Since his arrival, he has been actively involved in extensive and diverse areas of service. He served as a member of the Donald McHenry Visiting Professorship Search Committee, which selected the inaugural professor from a group of career diplomats. He was also part of the department’s ad hoc curriculum review committee. He serves on the Department Faculty Status Committee and is the faculty advisor for the Pi Sigma Alpha (the National Political Science Honors Society) registered student organization. Hendricks has also participated as a faculty mentor at the CAS New Faculty Orientation, has been a part of the College Elections Committee, and has organized a college-wide event with the Scholars Strategy Network that gave faculty and students valuable strategies for connecting their research and expertise with local policymakers. Hendricks has volunteered for the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Leaders Circle Symposium, has served on the University Service Awards Committee, and is actively involved with the Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development. In 2023, Hendricks was invited to join the Normal Rotary. He also joined BN Welcoming, a collaborative initiative to build an inclusive, supportive community for immigrants and refugees, as a steering committee member.
Byron Craig, School of Communication
Dr. Byron Craig joined Illinois State’s School of Communication in 2019 as an assistant professor. In his short time on campus, Craig has compiled a record that demonstrates his exemplary commitment and passion for service. He is the chair of the ISU LGBTQAI2+ Subcommittee on Policies and Procedures, chairs the Queer Coalition sub-committee on the President’s Council for Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, is the founding faculty advisor of the School of Communication’s Black Communication Association, is advisor to the Future Black Attorney Association, and serves as faculty advisor of Drag Royalty. He is also a member of the school’s Anti-racism and Social Justice Committee. He has served on the school’s Faculty Status Committee and on several search committees, including the Multicultural Center’s associate director for outreach. Craig serves on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Globalism committee at the Bloomington-Normal YMCA. He is also a Fellow for the American Democracy Project. He is a member of the nominating committee for the National Communication Association.
