Distinguished Service Award (Est. 1972)

Bestowed upon alumni, faculty, staff and friends by the Illinois Alumni Association on behalf of the University. The award is presented to individuals or couples whose consistent, exceptional and meritorious service to the University of Illinois has made a significant impact on the institution’s overall welfare and the advancement of its mission.

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  Theodore Brown

  Theodore Brown is a professor emeritus of chemistry and founding director emeritus of UI’s Arnold and Mabel Beckman Institute where he served from 1987 to 1993. The Beckman Institute is among the largest and most broadly-based interdisciplinary research institutions in the world.

  Dr. Brown received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1956. He has been a faculty member in the University’s chemistry department since 1956 and served as vice chancellor for research and dean of the graduate college (1980–86). Brown also served as interim vice chancellor for academic affairs during 1993.

  During 2003–05 he co-chaired a National Academies committee on facilitating interdisciplinary research under the auspices of the Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy. Brown was a member of the Board of Directors of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation during 1994–2008. Among many other board and committee activities, he was president of the Association of Graduate Schools of the AAU universities, a member of the National Academies Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable and a member of governing boards for the American Chemical Society. He has published numerous pieces on the cognitive, philosophical and social aspects of the scientific enterprise.

  Dr. Brown and his wife Audrey created endowments to support the Theodore L. and Audrey C. Brown Scholarship and the Ted and Audrey Brown Scholarship in Chemistry. Their gift has supported more than 20 students since its inception.

• 2010s
• 2000s
• 1990s
• 1980s
• 1970s