This award is given to a UC alumnus who has faithfully rendered outstanding service to the university. It recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions by UC Chicago alumni and shows appreciation to those who serve without expectation of personal reward.

From Neal’s nomination:
“As a student, he was directly influenced by Warren Bennis, UC’s president from 1970 to 1977. He worked for Warren’s family and saw firsthand- what a global leader should be. Warren really had a tremendous impact on his life and career. Neal is extremely passionate about UC. He has an undergraduate degree from A&S and a Law degree. He owes a lot of his success to Warren and has been an advocate for developing the Warren Bennis Leadership Institute at UC. He provided a lead gift to start the student-led Warren Bennis Leadership Experience in 2018 and has been a mentor to Jack Fitzgerald ’17, ’20.”

This award is given to a UC alumnus on the basis of notable achievement in his or her field. It differs from the Distinguished Service Award in that it is not restricted to service to the university.

From Larry’s nomination:
“Larry is a retired healthcare finance executive. He worked as the Senior Vice President and CFO for Aksys, Ltd., a provider of hemodialysis products and services for patients in renal failure. He spent 17 years with Fortune 500 healthcare company Baxter International as a VP/Controller and Corporate Treasurer. Larry also served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War.”

This award is given to a young or newly-involved alumnus of UC on the basis of professional achievement in his or her field of endeavor, and continued service and involvement with the university and community.

From Kathleen's nomination:
“UC graduates scores of outstanding, ambitious, and bright students every year who go on to do amazing things and I have had the good fortune to know and be inspired by a great number of them. But what makes Kathleen Hurley special among this talented company is her commitment to the service of others. The pandemic changed a lot of things about our society and many among us have just been holding on, hoping for the best. But the silver lining of any difficult situation is that it brings out the best of the truly great among us. Kathleen stepped up in those dark times, forging a path for her school and students in the uncertainty of the early days of the pandemic, maximizing her student’s opportunities, and leading the way forward, while also going on to graduate with her Master’s in Education and passing the principal licensure exams.”

Outstanding Achievement Award

• Eva Maddox
• Alan Channing
• Denny Reigle
• Wally Becky
• Brent Freese
• Susan King
• Tom Behringer
• Michael Schroeck
• Donald Nally
• Lawrence Damron

Distinguished Service Award

• Denny DeMoss
• David Watkins
• Chris and Spes Mekus
• Yetta Starr
• Matt Wagner
• Patty Klingbiel
• Sean Connell
• Paul Kingsley
• Neal Novak

Rising Star Award

• Paul Green
• Cindy Chiang
• Andrew Eloff
• John Lutz
• Ann Taylor
• Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa
• Kathleen Hurley