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. Thomas J. Grites ’66, M.S. ’67
Retired Provost, Stockton University
Major/College: Mathematics/Counselor Education (College of Arts and Sciences/College of Education)
Alumni Achievement Award
Dr. Sally E. Arnett ’97
Professor/Program Coordinator for Teacher Education, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Illinois State University
Major/College: Home Economics Education (College of Applied Science and Technology)
David Breen ’88
Retired President/CEO, Special Olympics Illinois
Major/College: Recreation Program Management (College of Applied Science and Technology)
Senator John W. Maitland Jr., Commitment to Education Award
Rhona Israel ’83
Retired Assistant Superintendent, District 206
Major/College: Social Work (College of Arts and Sciences)
E. Burton Mercier Alumni Service Award
Ron Whitton Jr.’ 80
Owner, Butch’s Pizza
Major/College: Business Administration (College of Business)
Andrew Purnell Jr. Trailblazer Award
Simón Rodriguez Jr. ’13
Youth Services Manager, City of Aurora
Major/College: Social Science Teacher Education (College of Arts and Sciences)
Reginald “Reggie” Summerrise ’86
CEO, LePensur Youth and Family Services, Inc.
Major/College: Speech Communication (College of Arts and Sciences)
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Dr. Kristen M. Pesavento ’05
Assistant Professor/Graduate Program Director Medical Laboratory Science, Loyola University Chicago
Major/College: Medical Laboratory Science/Biological Sciences (College of Applied Science and Technology/College of Arts and Sciences)
All are invited to attend the 2024 Alumni Awards program and dinner on Friday, April 19, starting at 5 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom, Bone Student Center. Cost to attend is $35 per person. Register by April 5 online or by calling (309) 438-2495.
Nominations are also being sought for the 2025 Alumni Awards. Deadline to submit is July 31, 2024.
