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.
Michael T. Tokarz, ’71 LAS, MBA ’73
Chicago-area native Michael (Mike) Tokarz is chairman of the Tokarz Group, a private New York City-based merchant bank. Prior to founding his namesake firm in 2002, Tokarz spent 17 years with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, a private equity firm where he handled diverse leveraged buyouts, restructurings and dispositions. He began his professional career in 1973 with Continental Illinois National Bank & Trust Co.
Tokarz’s commitment to his Alma Mater has been consistent and substantial. In addition to being a current board member and former chairman of the University of Illinois Foundation, he is one of five corporate members of the IllinoisVENTURES Board of Managers. In fact, he has shepherded the 18-year-old technology investment firm, which was created to help commercialize University of Illinois technologies.
At the University’s Gies College of Business, Tokarz co-chaired Investing in Excellence: The Campaign for Business Education at Illinois. This $75 million effort aims to construct the new business instructional facility and double the college endowment for named chairs, programmatic initiatives, research and student scholarships and fellowships. Tokarz, a past recipient of the College’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and MBA Achievement Award, personally donated $7.5 million to the ambitious campaign.
2017
Colleen Callahan Burns, ’73 ACES
Leader in public service and agricultural communciations and administration
2016
Jane Phillips Donaldson, ’65 LAS, MS ’67 MEDIA
2015
Dale H. Flach, ’59 ED, EDM ’64 ED
Assistant Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs at the UI College of Medicine
2014
Thomas D. Vogelsinger, ’73 BUS, MBA ’74
2013
Mary Kay Kretch Haben, ’77 BUS
2012
Paul Koch, ’66 ENG, MS ’68 ENG
2011
Lester McKeever, ’55 BUS
2010
Merle L. Mulvaney, ’58 ACES
Janet Turney Mulvaney, ’58 ACES
2009
Ed McMillan, ’69 ACES
2008
Carol Keiser-Long, ’68 ACES
2007
Lila Jeanne “Shorty” Eichelberger, ’49 ACES, MS ’52 ACES
2006
Alice Campbell, JD ’43 LAW
Bob Campbell, ’54 BUS
2005
Ann Khan, '80 LAS
Shahid Khan, '71 ENG
2004
Roger Plummer, '64 ENG
2003
Trudy Gassmann Reynolds, 58 EDU
Richard W. Reynolds, '53 ENG, MS '58 ENG
2002
Howard C. Humphrey, '59 BUS
2001
Albert Wohlers, '39 LAS
2000
Phyllis Welsh Hallene, '51 LAS
Alan Hallene, '51 ENG
1999
Richard J. Faletti, '47 LAW
1998
Russell "Ruck" W. Steger, '50 MEDIA
1997
Gayl S. Pyatt, '64 LAS
1996
Ralph C. Hahn, '51 ENG, MS '52 ENG
1995
Erwin Small, '55 VET MED, DVM '57, MS '65
1994
William D. Engelbrecht, '66 MEDIA, MS '72 MEDIA
1993
Dean E. Madden, '43 ENG
1992
William H. Lycan, '24 LAS, MS '26 LAS, PHD '29 LAS
1991
George William Howard III, '56 LAS, LLB '59
1990
Virginia Coultas Sharp, '40 ACES, MS '54 ACES
1989
John E. Cribbet, JD '47
1988
Frederic B. Hoppin, '41 ACES
1987
Joseph Antonello Jr., '43 BUS
1986
Jane Hayes Rader, '54 LAS
1985
Orville G. Bentley
1984
Roger B. Pogue, '41 ENG
1983
Carl & Mary Jane Neer, '33 LAS & '33 EDU
1982
Timothy J. Nugent Robert D. Heath, '50 BUS, Posthumously
1981
Daniel J. Perrino, '48 FAA, MS '49 FAA
1980
Charles E. (Chuck) Flynn, '34 MEDIA, AM '40 EDU
1979
Kenney E. Williamson, '66 BUS
1978
Charles Merriam
1977
Paul K. Bresee, '23 ACES
1976
Charles C. (Chick) Evans, '60 ENG, MS '61 ENG
1975
Timothy Swain, '31 LAS, LLB '33
1974
C. E. (Chilly) Bowen, '22 BUS
1973
None given
1972
Royal (Rooney) Stipes, '27 BUS