Alumni Awards 2026
Each year Illinois State University’s Alumni Association recognizes alumni for their outstanding contributions to their fields, their impact on society, and their passion for Illinois State through the Alumni Awards program. They include:Distinguished Alumni AwardJill Hutchison, M.S. ’96Retired women’s basketball coach, Illinois State UniversityAlumni Achievement AwardDr. David Sam ’81President at Bermuda College and president emeritus for Elgin Community CollegeSenator John W. Maitland Jr., Commitment to Education AwardSharon Ponder Ballard ’86Performing arts teacher, Carter School of ExcellenceE. Burton Mercier Alumni Service AwardLaura Murphy ’81State Senator, 28th District of IllinoisAndrew Purnell Jr. Trailblazer AwardDaniel Pierson ’81Retired associate director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Eli Lilly and CompanyOutstanding Young Alumni AwardAmy Mika ’15Global sustainability engineering manager, EcolabReception begins at 5 p.m. with dinner and program to follow at 6 p.m. Cost to attend is $40 per person. Register by April 10 online or by calling (309) 438-2495. A cash bar will be available.