Outstanding Young Alumni Award

The award recognizes the contributions of outstanding young alumni to society, their profession, or Illinois State University.

Selection is based upon significant accomplishments in one’s chosen field or avocation. This may be measured by noting favorable statewide, national, or international recognition; honors from associations or employers; or documentation illustrating work that has proved beneficial to a pronounced segment of society. The award is given to an Illinois State University alum 40 years of age or younger as of January 1 of the year the award is presented.

The Awards Ceremony is held each spring. Nominations from alumni, the University community, and friends of the University are welcome. Current active members of a University board are NOT eligible to receive an Alumni Award. They may be nominated once their service to the board expires.

Past Outstanding Young Alumni Award Recipients

2022 Jennifer J. Parker (CAS)
2022 Julie Raeder Schumacher, M.S. '05, Ed.D. '09 (CAST/COE)
2020 Paul DeJong '15 (CAS)
2020 Jenna Goldsmith '08, M.A. '10 (CAS)
2020 Griffin Hammond '07, M.S. '09 (CAS)
2019 Samuel Alex ’07 (Provost)
2018 Garrett Anderson '10 (CAST)
2017 Rebecca (Wenning) Vieyra ’07 (CAS)
2016 Rose Sprinkle '02, M.S. '04 (CAS)
2015 Matt Klusas '03 (CAS)
2014 Jessica (Thompson) Rau '03 (COB)
2013 Adam Kinzinger '00 (CAS)
2012 Amar Kamath, MBA '97 (COB)
2011 Dori Byard '96 (CAST)
2010 Joseph Reynolds '03 (COB)
2009 Mac Condill '99 (CAST)
2008 Stephen J. Rice '95 (COB)
2008 Madeline Ostrander '97 (CAS)
2007 Laura L. Long '94 (CAS)
2006 Javelyn Ibarra '97 (CAS)
2006 Boomer Grigsby (COB)
2005 Shadd Maruna ' 93 (CAS)
2005 Daniel R. Butterly ' 94 (CAST)
2005 Dr. Amy L. Shelton ' 93 (CAS)
2004 Reginald C. Hayes '91 (CFA)
2004 Neal Cotts
2004 Christine M. Haas '97 (CAS)
2003 Kevin Bulatek '93 (CAST)
2003 Jeffrey A. Lewis '92 (CFA)
2002 Sean Hayes (CFA)
2002 Pam Tanner '89 (CAST)
2002 Dr. J. Scott Keogh, M.S. '93 (CAS)
2001 Ricardo Cortez Cruz '89, M.S. '91 (CAS)
2001 Karla Kelly Daye '93 (COE)
2001 Jay C. Hoffman '83 (COB)
2000 Hon. Robert L. Freitag '84 (CAS)
2000 Dr. Michael R. Torry '89, M.S. '92 (CAST)
1999 Rex Martin '81 (CFA)
1999 Reginald Summerrise '86 (CAS)
1999 Bruce Brown '81 (CFA)
1998 Cathy L. Boswell '83 (CAST)
1998 Bradley M. Look '83 (CFA)
1997 Michael Prior '85 (COB)
1997 Dr. Kathleen Embry '84, M.S. '89 (CAST)
1997 Curt Cavnar '80 (CAS)
1996 Michael Mayo '77 (COB)
1996 Dawn Bradley Berry '79, M.S. '82 (CAS, CAST)
1995 Patrick Cotter '78 (CAS)
1995 Jay Groves '80, M.S. '83 (CAS)
1995 Darryl One '77, M.M. '79 (CFA)
1994 Suzy Bogguss '79 (CFA)
1994 Patti (Sarles) Hart '78 (COB)
1994 Captain Barbara (Aten) Scholley '80 (CAS)
1993 Joan Besing, M.S. '79 (CAS)
1993 Dan Rutherford '79 (COB)
1993 Bruce Scher '74, M.A. '77 (CAS)
1992 Roxanne Castleman '78 (CAST)
1992 Richard Schildgen '78 (CAST)
1992 Lester T. Brol '81 (COB)
1991 Timothy Kanold '73, M.S. '80 (CAS)
1991 John Healy '81 (CAS)
1991 Glen Hortin '76 (CAS)
1990 Timothy F. Johnson '72 (CAS)
1990 Dr. David DeMarini '72, M.S. '74, Ph.D. '80 (CAS)
1990 Dan Cotter '80, M.S. '81 (CAST, CAS)