Distinguished Awards

Each year, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences celebrates individuals for professional excellence or exceptional civic, cultural or charitable service. The awards were established following the college's 50th anniversary in 2009. To date, the college has honored 202 alumni, faculty and staff.

Each year, a wide range of nominations are submitted by students, alumni, staff, faculty and friends of the college. Nomination materials are evaluated by a selection committee comprised of alumni, faculty and staff who are appointed by Dean Brinkmann.

All awardees are invited to the NIU campus, where they receive their awards at an annual celebration held in the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center. To attend the award celebrations, please RSVP by Oct. 17. Cost to attend is $60 per person.

Contact Malerie Schumaker at mschumaker@niu.edu, CLAS Director of Alumni Engagement, with any questions regarding nominations or the event.

2025 Honoree Class

Alumni

David Kalinowski
B.S., Political Science, 1989


Mark Lamb
B.S., Journalism, 1973

Mark Pienkos
B.S., History, 1972, and M.S.Ed., Education, 1974

Sandi Smith
B.A., History, 2008

Faculty

Gerald C. Blazey
Retired Faculty, Department of Physics

Christopher McCord
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Karen Samonds
Department of Biological Sciences

Staff

Denise Burchard
Department of Public Administration

Melissa Burlingame Greenhagen
Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy

Darius Jackson
Center for Latino and Latin American Studies

Past Distinguished Award Recipients

2024

Alumni

  • Amy Howatt Fahey, B.S., Computer Science, 1984
  • Brad Hoey, B.A., Communication, 1984
  • William McCoy, B.A., English, 1992
  • Michael Papka, B.S., Physics, 1990

Faculty

  • Elizabeth R. Gaillard, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Anne G. Hanley, Department of History
  • Kurt Thurmaier, Department of Public Administration

Staff

  • Mike Figora, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Angie Gasero, Department of English
  • Jennifer Gregory, Department of Political Science

2023

Alumni

  • Raymond L. Banks, M.S., Geology, 1986
  • Evan Dutmer, B.A., Philosophy, 2012
  • Julia Jasken, M.A., English, 1997
  • Ernesto Morales, B.S., Meteorology, 2000
  • Martha Ann Terry, B.A., Anthropology, 1983; M.A., Anthropology, 1985
  • Dave Thillen, M.S., Mathematical Sciences, 1968

Faculty

  • Carl Albright, Department of Physics
  • David Ballantine, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Lesley Rigg, Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
  • Christine D. Worobec, Department of History

Staff

  • Dana Ditrichs-Kunkel, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

2022

Alumni

  • Marcus Leshock, B.A., Communication – Media Studies, 2003; M.A., Communication Studies, 2005
  • Timothy P. Marshall, B.S., Meteorology, 1978
  • Joseph "Tip" McFadden, Ph.D., History, 1968
  • Robert M. Sobel, B.S., Chemistry, 1998; Ph.D., Chemistry, 2004

Faculty

  • David Changnon, Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
  • Michael J. Day, Department of English
  • Heide Fehrenbach, Department of History
  • Anton Zettl, Department of Mathematical Sciences

Staff

  • Suzanne Hogan, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Renee Page, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

2021

Alumni

  • The Honorable James E. Snyder, B.A., History, 1987
  • Joanna Sztuba-Solinska, M.S., Biological Sciences, 2007; Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2011

Faculty

  • Jeffrey Chown, Department of Communication
  • Beatrix Hoffman, Department of History
  • Ross D. Powell, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Staff

  • Alexandre S. Dychkant, Department of Physics

2020

Alumni

  • Paulette Hasier, B.A., History, 1989
  • Joseph P. Reidy, M.A., History, 1974; Ph.D., History, 1982

Faculty

  • Walker S. Ashley, Department of Geographic and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Lara Crowley, Department of English
  • Janice D. Hamlet, Department of Communication

Staff

  • Steven L. Estes, CLAS Advising

2019

Alumni

  • John Burns, B.A., English 1988
  • Joyce C. Ester, Ph.D., B.A., Sociology, 1987
  • Nicolaus Harjanto, Ph.D., Political Science, 2010
  • James Lamb, B.A., Social Science, 1951; M.S., Education Administration, 1953
  • Patrick Korellis, B.S., Geography, 2008; B.S., Meteorology, 2008

Faculty

  • Katharina Barbe, World Languages and Cultures
  • Philip A. Gray, Department of Communication
  • Amanda H. Littauer, Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality; Department of History
  • Marion Miller, Department of Chemistry

Staff

  • Aleksandar Kosoric, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Philip P. Young, Department of Geographic and Atmospheric Sciences

2018

Alumni

  • Josh Adair, B.A. English, 2009
  • Gwendolyn L. Kartje, B.S. Biological Sciences, 1976
  • Bill Nicklas, M.A. History, 1973; Ph.D. History, 1983
  • Michael J. Shaffer, B.A. Philosophy, 1992; M.A. Philosophy, 1994

Faculty

  • Daniel L. Gebo, Anthropology
  • Amy K. Levin, English, Women's Studies
  • Doris Macdonald, English
  • Joe Vaughn, Chemistry

Staff

  • Kristie Crane, Sociology
  • Judith Pokorny, English
  • Tammy Stevens, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

2017

Alumni

  • Ty Ballou, B.A. Communication, 1978
  • Sheila Quirk-Bailey, M.A., Communication, 1987
  • Howard and the White Boys
    • Howard McCullum, B.A., Sociology, 1988
    • Steven Asma, B.A., Philosophy, 1988
    • Jim Christopulos, B.A. and M.A., Communication Studies, 1989 and 1991
  • Karyne Jones, M.P.A., Public Administration, 1981
  • Sedara Kim, M.A. Anthropology, 2001
  • Camilla Vasquez, M.A. English, 2000

Faculty

  • William (Bil) Johnson, English
  • Charles Larson, Communication
  • W. Bruce Lincoln, History

Staff

  • April Davis, Political Science
  • Gregory Ross, Foreign Languages and Literatures

2016

Alumni

  • Peter Gross, B.S. Journalism, 1971
  • Robert (Bob) Kornecki, B.S., Journalism, 1972
  • Marilyn Frank-Stromborg, B.S. Biology, 1964, Ed.D. Educational Psychology, 1974; JD, 1994
  • Harlan Teller, B.A., English, 1973
  • Andrew L. Traver, B.A. Sociology, 1985
  • Michael L. Vazquez, B.S. Chemistry, 1980

Faculty

  • Albert Walker, Journalism
  • Judy Ledgerwood, Anthropology and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies

Staff

  • Julie Crouch, Center for the Study of Family Violence and Sexual Assault
  • C. Eric Hoffman, English
  • Kendra Johnson Plesa, Communication

2015

Alumni

  • Rita Hoey Dragonette, English, 1972
  • Matthew Konfirst, Geology, 2006, 2009, 2011; German, 2010
  • John Landgraf, Biological Sciences, 1974, 1975
  • Thomas M. McCann, English, 1973
  • James H. Norris, Public Administration, 1983
  • Jenn Weidman, Liberal Arts, 1999; Anthropology 2005

Faculty

  • Larry Arnhart, Political Science
  • Narayan Hosmane, Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Carla Montgomery, Geology and Environmental Geosciences
  • Lynne Waldeland, English

Staff

Nancy Finn, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

2014

Alumni

  • John R. Butler, Political Science, 1992; Communication Studies, 1994
  • John P. Heybach, Psychology, 1972, 1974, 1976
  • Robin L. Kelly, Political Science, 2004
  • Joanna E. Lambert, Anthropology and Biology, 1989; Anthropology, 1993
  • Glenn G. Sparks, Speech Communication, 1976

Faculty

  • Donald Grubb, Journalism
  • Anthony Scaperlanda, Economics
  • Mary Suzanne Schriber, English
  • Fred Smith, Anthropology
  • Lucien Stryk, English

Staff

Janice K. Vander Meer, English

2013

Alumni

  • John A. Cline, Political Science, 1981
  • Todd F. Davis, English, 1991, 1995
  • Srisompob Jitpiromsri, Political Science, 1997
  • Arthur Jongsma, Psychology, 1969, 1972
  • Thomas J. Schall, Biology, 1983
  • Ging P. Smith, Journalism, 1973

Faculty

  • W. Elwood Briles, Biological Studies
  • Sanford J. Dean, Psychology
  • James E. Erman, Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Lois Self, Department of Communication; Women's Studies

Staff

Andy Small, Chemistry and Biochemistry

2012

Alumni

  • Rita Reagan Athas, Political Science, 1978
  • Howard M. Blietz, Computer Science, 1980
  • John J. Brandon, Political Science, 1985
  • Barry Rozner, Journalism, 1984
  • Anne Barrett Swanson, Chemistry, 1970
  • Mary J. Wirth, Chemistry, 1974

Faculty

  • Richard L. Johannesen, Communication
  • Wallace R. McAllister, Psychology
  • Clark D. Neher, Political Science
  • Robert T. Self, English

Staff

June M. Kubasiak, Public Administration

2011

Alumni

  • Howard T. Brady, Geology, 1977
  • Richard L. Escalante, Political Science and Public Admnistration, 1974, 1978
  • Kelli Lyon Johnson, Foreign Languages and Literatures and English, 1996, 2003
  • Gail A. Krmenec, Geography, 1986
  • William E. Mickols, Chemistry and Biochemistry 
  • Wendy Sue Parker, Geography, Philosophy, 1997

Faculty 

  • Gary D. Glenn, Political Science 
  • James D. Norris, History
  • Barbara M. Posadas, History

Staff

  • Patricia K. Boesche, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 
  • Ellen E. Franklin, English 

2010

Alumni

  • David R. Beam, Political Science, 1967, 1976
  • Leslie C. Morey, Psychology, 1977
  • John P. Sall, Economics, 1973
  • Larry D. Schroeder, Economics, 1967
  • Paul C. Sereno, Biological Sciences, 1979

Faculty

  • Sue Warrick Doederlein, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Joseph E. Grush, Psychology
  • Joel S. Milner, Psychology
  • M. Ladd Thomas, Political Science
  • Alfred F. Young, History

Staff

Ann K. Wright-Parsons, Anthropology, 1993

2009 (Golden Anniversary)

Alumni

  • Jerome A. Rich, B.S. Mathematics, 1961
  • David S. Holmes, B.S. Education, 1961; B.S. Sociology/Psychology, 1961
  • Jerrold H. Zar, B.S. Biological Sciences, 1962
  • Arnold E. Hampel, B.S. Mathematics, 1963
  • James R. Griesemer, B.A. Political Science, 1966; M.A. Public Affairs, 1971
  • Jerome A. Smith, B.S. Journalism, 1966
  • Kristina A. Valaitis, B.S. Education, 1967; M.A. English, 1969; Ph.D. English, 1974
  • Raymond G. Smerge, B.S. Political Science, 1967
  • Lorene K. Steffes, B.S. Mathematics, 1968; M.S. Computer Science, 1982
  • Mimi Wolverton, B.S. Mathematics, 1968
  • William R. Speer, B.S. Mathematics, 1969; M.S.Ed. Secondary Education, 1971
  • Manuel “Manny” Sanchez, B.A. Political Science, 1970
  • Jeffrey M. Yordon, B.S. Political Science, 1970
  • Zerrie Campbell, B.A. English, 1972; M.S.Ed. Secondary Education, 1974
  • Thomas R. Karl, B.S. Geography, 1973
  • James W. Jorgenson, B.S. Chemistry, 1974
  • Martin J. Medhurst, M.A. Speech Communication, 1975
  • Norman J. Dovichi, B.S. Chemistry and Mathematical Sciences, 1976
  • Nancy M. Castle, B.A. Psychology, 1977; M.A. Psychology, 1980; Ph.D. Psychology, 1986
  • Judy Santacaterina, B.A. Speech Communication, 1978; M.A. Speech Communication, 1980
  • Susan M. Mini, B.S. Chemistry, 1980
  • Ralph M. Strozza B.S. French, 1981; B.S. Marketing, 1981
  • Carol B. Zar, M.A. Public Affairs, 1981
  • William F. Tate IV, B.S. Economics, 1982
  • Richard Terance Hart, B.A. Sociology, 1983
  • Dianthia Ford-Kee, M.A. Public Affairs, 1984
  • Bill Weinman, B.A. Communication Studies, 1984
  • James G. Nagy, B.S. Mathematical Sciences, 1986; M.S. Mathematical Sciences, 1988
  • Robert Katz, B.A. Communication Studies, 1987
  • Lyndon D. Perkins, M.A. Public Administration, 1987
  • Malcolm J. D’Souza, M.S. Chemistry, 1989; Ph.D. Chemistry, 1992
  • Kevin M. Folta, B.S. Biological Sciences, 1989; M.S. Biological Sciences, 1992
  • Mary Katherine Krause, B.S. Biological Sciences, 1990
  • Michael E. Nielsen, M.A. Psychology, 1990; Ph.D. Psychology, 1992
  • Thomas J. Near, B.S. Biological Sciences, 1993; B.A. History, 1993; M.S. Biological Sciences, 1995
  • Slawomir M. Tulaczyk, M.S. Geology and Environmental Geosciences, 1993
  • Kay Shelton, M.A. Anthropology, 1994
  • Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, B.A. Philosophy and Journalism, 1996; B.A. Political Science, 1996
  • Jennifer (Stanley) Suprenant, B.S. Sociology, 1996
  • Kenneth A. Womack, Ph.D. English, 1997
  • Brett J. Deacon, M.A. Psychology, 1999; Ph.D. Psychology, 2002
  • Jolene L. Skinner, M.A. Psychology, 1999; Ph.D. Psychology, 2006
  • Bharath R. Sriraman, M.S. Mathematical Sciences, 1999; Ph.D. Mathematical Sciences, 2002
  • Susan A. Tomlinson, M.S. Chemistry, 2001
  • Natalie Alane Gacek, B.S. History, 2002; B.S. Management, 2002
  • Noel Mañago Morada, Ph.D. Political Science, 2002
  • I Ketut Putra Erawan, Ph.D. Political Science, 2003
  • Ninja Maria Nagel, B.A. German, 2003
  • Anies Rasyid Baswedan, Ph.D. Political Science, 2007
  • Derek A. Bergsten, M.P.A. 2007

Faculty and Staff

  • Rodney Angotti, Computer Science
  • James M. Banovetz, Division of Public Administration
  • Paul S. Burtness, English
  • Richard E Dahlberg, Geography
  • Clyde W. Kimball, Physics
  • William R. Monat, Political Science
  • Nancy Schuneman, Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS)
  • Linda Sons, Mathematical Sciences
  • Raymond Tourville, Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • Daniel Wit, Political Science