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Past Honorees: |
Past Alumna Recipients: |
Board of Directors: |
Support Provided By: |
710 Book Store |
Farmers State Bank |
Joe & Kassy Gareis |
Henry Printing, Inc. |
Old National Bank |
SIUC University Housing |
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2004 Gala Honorees |
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MISS DOROTHY BUDELL moved to Anna , Illinois , in 2001 from Chicago via Manitowoc , Wisconsin . Her professional career at Prudential Life Insurance Company, in Chicago , lasted 41 years, where she began as window clerk and rose to Director of Personnel in the Midwest . This remarkable achievement was first for a woman in Prudential, where she broke through the glass ceiling of the company. There was no precedent for her to follow. It was up to her to define her role within the structure of the company and to prove that the contribution of women was not only necessary, but also essential. |
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She retired at age 62, having seen and implemented many changes within Prudential, influencing and inspiring women in the company. Miss Budell served as a volunteer in the food pantry of Bethany Village in Anna, until her death in January, 2006. Each day, five days a week, she unloaded the food donated to or purchased by Bethany Village, arranges it on the pantry room shelves and, from this supply, packed shopping bags of food for distribution. Although the bags of food she distributed address the physical needs of the recipients, Miss Budell was there to listen, without judgment, to the unfilled dreams of many. She provided support in a time of crisis. She served as a role model to the elderly, inspiring them to become involved in their communities, and to the young, inspiring them to contribute to the world's work. |
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DR. JACKIE L. COX is a woman of letters, words, service, and honors. As an inspiring woman of letters, she holds five (5) degrees from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the areas of elementary education, special education, mathematics education, and teacher education and supervision. She also holds endorsements in gifted education and language arts, and has earned certificates as a National Board for Professional Teaching Facilitator and PRAXIS I and II trainer. As an inspiring woman of words, our honoree has authored some 18 books and articles in professional journals; |
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presented over 80 papers at national and regional professional meetings; and served as consultant/facilitator for 15 local, state, and national educational workshops. Her professional service includes holding the positions of University Supervisor/Clinical Instructor and Adjunct Professor for the College of Education and Human Services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, President of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics and of the SIUC Gamma Lambda Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, member of the Public Relations committee for the Association of Teacher Educators, and reviewer of the Association of Teacher Educators Proposals for the 2004 National Conference in Boston. As an inspiring woman of service, our honoree has contributed to numerous school and university committees. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Elementary Education Portfolio Committee for the SIUC College of Education and Human Services, and as a member of the Center Coordinator for Clinical Experiences Search Committee and team member of the National Education Technology Standards Faculty Technology Committee for the SIUC Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Her community service ranges from serving as a pageant judge to chair of committees for Carbondale Community Arts, as an Honorary Student Life Advisor for SIUC's Week of Welcome to fundraiser for the Southern Illinois Region Easter Seals, and as a representative to Carbondale Clean and Green Committee to president of Xi Beta Eta and Epsilon Tau sororities. As an active supporter of the Southern Illinois Easter Seal Society and The Therapy Center in Carterville, our honoree was deeply involved in the design phase of The Therapy Center, a 16,000 square foot pediatric facility built, for the most part, with donated materials and labor. As an active volunteer at The Therapy Center, she provides guidance on programming for the children, teacher development, and issues affecting services for children with disabilities. As an inspiring woman for The Therapy Center, she and her husband sponsored The Winter Fantasy Gala, raising over $180,000 to fund the therapy and equipment services at the Center. As a woman of honors, our inspiring woman was named the 2004 Alumnus of the Year for the SIUC College of Education and Human Services and has been the recipient of numerous Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching. Perhaps her greatest honor is the nearly 450 aspiring teachers she has influenced, mentored, and inspired as an elementary and higher education educator. Along with her husband, Richard, our honoree provided funds to the Inspiring Womens' program enabling us to award a $1,000 scholarship to a student majoring in education with a concentration in math education. |
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MS. ETHEL HOLLADAY has always found a way to inspire her students. She began her career in education some 30 years ago as a Trico High School business teacher and has served as part-time faculty for the Department of Career Education at John A. Logan College . Presently, she serves as Business Teacher, Vocational Coordinator, and Interrelated Cooperative Education Coordinator for DuQuoin High School , as well as Cooperating Teacher for the Office of Professional Education Experience at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
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The hallmarks of her inspiring contributions to education have been described as enthusiasm, dedication, and unflagging energy. In a tribute to her published in the SIU Alumni Association's Southern Alumni magazine, it was noted that when she first arrived at DuQuoin High School , she organized new classes in accounting, business law, and business management, and later developed special materials and equipment for students with disabilities in her keyboarding classes. When funds were unavailable for new computers, she was inspired to write a successful proposal that allowed her to lease the computers for a month to expose her students to the new technology. Her principal has called her a leader and an inspiration to the profession. Over 1,500 students have proudly called her teacher, mentor, and inspiring. She has inspired young students to become lifelong learners and serve as an inspiration to others. Her contributions to education and her profession have brought honor to the southern Illinois region. She has served in various leadership capacities for the Southern Illinois Business Education Association, the Beta Omicron Chapter of Delta Pi Epsilon national business education honorary society, and Omicron Tau Theta national career and technical education honorary society. She also has held leadership posts in the Illinois and North Central Business Education Associations, and has garnered Teacher of the Year Awards from each. In 2002, she was named the National Business Education Association Secondary Teacher of the Year. Our inspiring woman was recognized as one of the Top 10 Illinois High School Instructors and has served on a panel of professional educators in Illinois charged with developing certification standards for new teachers. She currently serves as President of North Central Business Education, helping to set education and learning standards for eight (8) states. She is a life long member of the SIU Alumni Association, is an avid Saluki sports fan, is active in advisory roles in SIUC's College of Education and Human Services, has served as President of the Perry County SIUC Alumni Chapter, and was instrumental in inspiring the establishment of its scholarship program. Her volunteer and community service work include service as Chair of the Perry County American Lung Association and as a Trustee to the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. |
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DR. JEAN ELLEN REYNOLDS Sometimes the women who most inspire us are not those who are frequently spotlighted in the media or who possess obvious name recognition. Rather, they may be those women who work quietly behind the scenes, remembered and loved for the smallest kind act or encouraging word. Our next honoree has been described as just such an inspiring woman, who, through her career and life, has impacted scores of children, colleagues, peers, and family. |
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At age 37, she returned to college to earn a B.S. in Education and, while working as a 3 rd grade teacher, earned a Masters and Ph.D. One never satisfied with the status quo, her career progressed from classroom teacher to elementary school principal. She ended her education career with 27 years of service to the Crainville and Carterville Grade Schools , during which she inspired hundreds of young lives. In doing so, she serves as a role model and inspiration for women who wish to return to college, but may be hesitant because of age or self-doubts. Our honoree is known for her inspirational acts of kindness. Her daughter, Sheri, recalled that, recently, while dining in a local restaurant, a former student recognized our honoree as his former 3 rd grade teacher and expressed his appreciation for the time she bought him a new wrist watch and delivered it to his house after his was stolen. Our inspiring woman sent unsolicited money to one of her students to help him realize his dream of playing the Little League World Series in Japan . He went on to earn a college scholarship for baseball. Discovering that one of her teachers was facing difficult financial times, our honoree bought her an Easter suit just to brighten her day. As a community leader, our honoree has served and inspired in a quiet and unassuming manner. In the 1980s, after meeting Miss Ruth Sullivan and hearing her compelling story of correspondence with a European pen pal during and after World War II, our honoree knew that she must share this important tale so that young people would never forget this amazing story of survival, love, and friendship during war. Hard work and perserverance resulted in the publication of Kisses from Hanna , complied, edited, and partially written by our inspiring woman. Two (2) copies of Kisses from Hanna were donated for this evening's silent auction, and we surely hope that you were lucky enough to have bid high enough to get them. Her commitment to her faith is closely tied to her service to her community. For over 60 years, our inspiring woman has actively served her church, playing the organ and singing in the choir. She regularly delivers meals on wheels to shut-ins. Described as the Matriarch of Carterville and in recognition of her community service, she was named Carterville Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. It was noted that, since our honoree's retirement, one can always look for her at SIUC. She is a huge fan of the Salukis and expects to spend a lot of time watching them play |
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2005 Gala Honorees |
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MS. ELAINE H. MELBY is the owner of five Century 21 franchises in Southern Illinois. Her company, Century 21 House of Realty, Inc., is the recipient of numerous awards for production and customer service. She was the first woman elected to the Carterville Community Unit #5 School District Board of Education in 1991 and has served 11 years. She also is a 15-year member and past president of the John A. Logan College Foundation Board and serves on the Williamson County Special Education Governance Board. |
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Her community activities include servcie as past president of the Rotary Club of Marion, President-Elect of the Carterville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, member of the Heartland Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and advisory director of the Bank of Marion. As an active member of her church, she has served as a church council member and officer and as Sunday School teacher for over 25 years. |
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MS. MARGARET NESBITT is known as an influential humanitarian and Civil Rights Activist. She is a champion for equality and fights injustice wherever she finds it. She also serves as an educational advocate for youth. During her 31-year career at SIUC, she was instrumetnal in establishing the affirmative action office in 1969. Her involvement with the Students Against Violence Freedom Council at SIUC led to the building of Carbondale's first federal housing for low-income residents. |
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She is a lifetime member of the NAACP and was honored in 1994 at their Freedom Fund Banquet for her services rendered. Margaret served as President of Northeast Community Development Congress, is currently a member of the Attucks Community Services Board, the founder and current President of Concerned Citizens for Education in Carbondale, and is founder and coordinator of a local after-school tutorial program "I CAN READ!" of Southern Illinois. Margaret is also co-owner of her family's business, "D's Quick Stop" in Carbondale. |
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DR. BLANCHE CARLTON SLOAN is the former director of development and executive director of the John A. Logan College Foundation and holds an influential position in resource development initiatives nationwide. As a life member of the Council for Resource Development, she has served on its board of directors and task forces and edited and reviewed publications and applications. |
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At John A. Logan College, she wrote more than 400 successful proposals for federal and state funding that totaled more than 10$ million. She is a charter member and former president of the Rotary Club of Carbondale-Breakfast and former District Goverenor for Rotary International. She also has served in leadership roles for Southern Illinois Arts, the American Association of University Women in Carbondale, and as an active supporter of the arts in Southern Illinois. |
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MS. GLORIA CELESIA TISON is an estate planning attorney with Raymond James Financial Services in Harrisburg and Marion and the recipient of the 2005 Citizen of the Year Award from the Saline County Chamber of Commerce. She is a founding member of the Harrisburg Medical Center Foundation Board and a board member of the Bridge Medical Clinic, which provides free medical services for uninsured persons in Saline County. |
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She currently serves as president of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Harrisburg East Side School and is a former president of the PTO at Harrisburg West Side School. She is a parent volunteer and member of the External Study Team for the Harrisburg School District. She is also a member of the Saline county University Women and has provided service to the Harrisburg Library board, PEO, Southeastern Illinois College Foundation, Harrisburg Arts, and Evergreen Garden club. |
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The 2005 Recipient of the Alumni Achievement
Award |
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MS. BETH A. HINCHEE is an Engineering Recruiting Manager, Human Resources, Technology and Solutions Division, for Caterpillar, Inc., and is the recipient of the Caterpillar Annual Quality Improvement Project Award. She began her tenure at Caterpillar as a student intern and has served in a variety of postions, including Senior Research Engineer, Turbine and Air Systems Technology Engine Research; Supervisor, New Technology Introduction, Germany; 6 Sigma Black Belt, Engine Air Systems; and Machine Aftertreatment Manager, Caterpillar Envornmental Technologies. |
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She holds three US Patents for her innovations for Air-Oil Seperator Utilizing Centrifugal Seperation, Variable Geometry Nozzle for Radial Turbines, and Enhanced Response Turbocharger Using Flywheel Storage. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. |
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2006 Gala Honorees |
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MS. GAYLA R. BORGOGNONI is First Vice President and Assistant Branch Manager of Wachovia Securities in Carbondale. She is known as a woman of "firsts" - first woman broker in southern Illinois, first woman member of the Rotary Club in southern Illinois, first woman to offer investment classes at John A. Logan College, first woman to serve on the Carbondale Business and Development Board. She currently serves on the boards of the Rotary Club of Carbondale Charitable Foundation, John A. Logan Foundation, Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, and the United Way of Carbondale. |
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She regularly mentors young women and men who have an interest in business or finance, as well as works with the high school and SIUC business departments to teach classes, hire interns, and help with interviewing techniques and resume writing strategies. Additionally, she has initiated and managed eight investment clubs for women for the past 20 years. Her strong commitment to service in the community is demonstrated through her support of John A. Logan College, Southern Illinois University, Rotary Club of Carbondale, Carbondale Community Arts, Business and Professional Women's Club, and the American Cancer Society. She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions both locally and nationally. |
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MS. YOLONDE PETERSON is the former vocal music director at Marion High School and was instrumental in helping to plan, raise funds, and open the new Marion Cultural and Civic Center, where she has served as a member of the Board for 32 years. Celebrating over 50 years of service and dedication in bringing music and the arts to Marion and to southern Illinois, she currently serves as musical director at the First United Methodist Church in Marion, director of Volunteers to the Arts Choir of the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, member of Marion Main Street, and teacher of private piano, organ, and accordion lessons. Her extensive service to the community and southern Illinois also includes involvement with the Friends Board of WSIU Stations, Fortnightly Club of Marion, John A. Logan Womens Health Conference Committee, and Marion Main Street. |
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She is the recipient of the 1979 Greater Area Chamber of Commerce "Woman of Achievement Award," the 2002 Marion Mayors Service Award, and the 2005 Greater Area Chamber of Commerces first "Award of Excellence" in service to the performing arts. In 2004, she was recognized as "A Leader Among Us" by the Southern Illinoisan Business Journal at its first annual breakfast. |
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MS. JANET PROCTOR is a trial attorney and serves as State's Attorney for Pope County. She has donated her time and talents to people who cannot afford a lawyer and has worked as an advocate for senior citizens both as a lawyer and within the church, traveling great distances to assist seniors with issues related to health, food, abuse, extended care, and social matters. She has served as an invited participant at Attorney General Lisa Madigans "Crimes Against Older Persons" meeting and served on a panel for the Meth Forum, sponsored by the Alliance Against Methamphetamine Abuse. She currently serves as church faith leader at First Presbyterian Church in Golconda, providing leadership, conducting adult Sunday School classes, and helping with worship services. |
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She is studying to obtain her degree in Presbyterian theology through the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Her extraordinary involvement in the community includes service as a member of the Advisory Board for Project Success, recording secretary for the Sigma Mu Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, life member of the Pope County Historical Society, community member on the Pope County School Improvement Planning Committee, member of First Nighter's Home Extension, volunteer for Main Street Golconda and for numerous school events. |
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MS. DIXIE LEE TRAVELSTEAD is the owner of two recreation businesses in Perry County - the Red Hawk Golf Club and Ten Pin Alley Bowling Center. She is credited with the success of the DuQuoin Youth Club, serving as the president of the DuQuoin Youth Club Board since 1991 and as founder and chair of the annual Charity Ball and Auction, helping to raise more than $70,000 in 2005 in support of the DuQuoin Youth Club. Her exceptional community involvement includes service to church, community schools, and charitable organizations, including the United Way, John a. Logan Foundation, Therapy Learning Center, Southern Illinois Arts Council, DuQuoin Indians Swim Team, Women for Health Wellness, DuQuoin High School Girls Sports, PTA, and the First United Methodist Church children's programs. |
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She has served as chair of the Girl Scouts of America Cookie Sale for 10 years. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the DuQuoin Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year" Award in 1997 and the DuQuoin Elks "Citizen of the Year" Award in 2006. |
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Recipient of the 2006 Alumna Achievement
Award |
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DR. SUSAN NAGELE is a remarkable physician who has devoted her professional life to bringing health care to some of the world's neediest people. A former Illinoisan and graduate of the SIU School of Medicine, she joined the Maryknoll Mission Association of the Faithful as a lay missioner upon completion of her residency with the SIU Family Practice Center in Carbondale and has practiced medicine in Africa for over 20 years. Her first assignment was in Tanzania, where she worked developing primary care health services, established an outpatient department, and built a 36-bed facility for inpatient admission with services for obstetrics and minor surgery. She then moved to southern Sudan where she continued to focus her energy on developing much needed primary care services in the midst of the bloody civil war engulfing the country and claiming over two million lives. |
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In southern Sudan, she built and established multiple Primary Health Care Centres, built and established a TB treatment center, and built and established Primary Health Care Centres and Units in two camps for displaced people. At one point, she was the only physician for more than 30,000 displaced persons in two refugee camps. Her work was featured in a 1999 ABC "Nightline" segment on Sudan. In 2003, she moved to Kenya, where she, once again, began the process of providing health care to the needy of that country. She currently practices at Kiminini Cottage Hospital and is the medical adviser for the Catholic Diocese of Kitale, Kenya. |
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2007 Gala Honorees |
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MS. ROSEMARY BERKEL CRISP was co-owner of Pepsi Mid-America and co-founder of the Southern Illinois Women's Health Conference and the Southern Illinois Women's Teen Conference. A former medical/surgical floor night supervisor at Marion Memorial Hospital, she maintained an active interest in her profession throughout her life. She served as a volunteer nurse at local Red Cross blood drives, a glaucoma screener for the Lions Club, and as a volunteer Girl Scout nurse. She also served in numerous leadership roles with the National League for Nursing Community Health Accreditation Board, the Society for the Advancement of Women's Health Research, the National Institutes of Health Advisory Council for the Nursing Research Board of Governors, and the Friends of the National Institute for Nursing Research. |
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She was a charter board member of the Hands of Hope Clinic in Marion; lifetime member of the Marion Hospital Auxiliary; and co-founder, past president, and chairperson of the board of Women for Health and Wellness, Inc. Her commitment to service extended to Southern Illinois University Carbondale, as well as service on the boards of the John A. Logan College Foundation, the Marion Cultural and Civic Center Foundation, and the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation. The nursing building at Southeast Missouri State University has been named in her honor. After waging a courageous twelve year battle with ovarian cancer, sadly, Mrs. Crisp succumbed to her illness in November 2007. |
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DR. ELLA PHILLIPS LACEY is an international service volunteer, retired faculty member of the SIU School of Medicine, and former interim director of the SIUC University Women's Professional Advancement Program. She is committed to improving health care for those with limited access to resources. She was instrumental in developing and implementing a plan that improved ambulance services in seven southern Illinois counties and conducting research on Pica, an eating disorder found largely among women with limited financial resources. She has served on State councils and commissions focused on welfare, hypertension, and AIDS, as well as private sector committees focused on prevention of cancer, adolescent pregnancy, and child abuse. |
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Upon retirement, she joined the Peace Corps and, later, worked for the World Health Organization and was a UNICEF consultant in the Global Polio Eradication Programme, traveling worldwide. More locally, her volunteerism includes service to the Carbondale Middle School, Eurma C. Hayes Center, Rotary Club of Carbondale, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors both locally and nationally, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, presented by the Peace Corps in recognition of exemplary service, abroad and at home, and for inspiring others through example. |
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DR. MARSHA GARWIN RYAN is a physician and surgeon, currently serving as chair of the Department of Surgery at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Clinical Assistant Professor at the SIU School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor at the SIU School of Law, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery and Assistant Professor of the SIU Department of Medical Humanities. The former Chief of Staff at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, she specializes in breast cancer and serves on the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program's Medical Advisory Committee, as co-director of the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Breast Center, and as director of the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Cancer Care Services. |
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She also currently serves as a member of the Southern Illinois Hospital Board of Trustees and as co-chair of the Bioethics Committee and member of the Multispecialty Peer Review Committee at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Her service contributions include involvement with the Southern Illinois University Art and Design Advisory Board, the Southern Illinois Symphony Board, and the Garwin Family Foundation. She is devoted to Southern Illinois University Carbondale, currently serving on the SIU Foundation Board of Directors and as chair of the University's "Opportunity Through Excellence" comprehensive campaign. She is the recipient of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Athena Award and the SIU School of Law Alumnus of the Year Award. |
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MS. BARBARA WALTON DIEFENBACH THROGMORTON is a shepherdess and known as the "sheep lady and mistress of Walton Farm." She owns and operates Walton Farms, Ltd., a lamb and wool production operation on a farm that has been in her family for generations. She is engaged in both commercial and direct marketing of wool, lamb meat, and live animals primarily throughout southern Illinois and parts of Missouri and Kentucky. She was active in the former Dixon Springs Wool Pool and in organizing the Shawnee Wool Pool. She has been a featured speaker on lamb promotion and direct marketing at several conferences and has served as vice president and president of the Illinois Lamb and Wool Producers, Inc., and chair of the Shawnee Wool and Lamb Pools from their inception until this year. She also has served on the USDA Farmers Home Administration and as an adviser to the USDA Farm Service Agency county committees. |
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She assists yearly with the junior livestock sheep show at the Union County Fair and, for nearly 25 years, has hosted hundreds of children at her farm each spring during lambing season. Her volunteer activities include service on the Union County Counseling Service Board, Stinson Memorial Library Board, Anna-Jonesboro Community High School Board of Education, Regional Board of School Trustees, and First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Anna. |
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Recipient of the 2007 Alumna Achievement
Award |
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MS. J. ADAIRE PUTNAM is president of Perspectives Research and a 25-year marketing veteran, who is re-establishing herself as a professional moderator and facilitator of a firm offering qualitative research and facilitation of strategic planning, brainstorming and messaging sessions. In her previous position as director of the Midwest region of Ketchum Public Relations in Chicago, she oversaw $18 million in revenue and 80 professionals, grew the business 20%, co-developed and helped direct training for the North American ethics curriculum, led a task force that developed Ketchum's Account Service Standards and Practice, and instituted a dedicated marketing/new business outreach function that the agency is adopting company wide. |
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An advocate for developing young talent in the field, she regularly works with communications students interested in pursuing public relations, in addition to serving as a guest lecturer in undergraduate and graduate classes for the SIUC College of Business and Administration. Her service contributions include involvement with the Branch County Community Foundation and the Sunrise Rotary Club of Coldwater, Michigan, where she helped to secure and renovate the Naomi Davis Shelterhouse for battered women and children. As a devoted SIUC alumna, she currently serves as a member of the SIUC College of Business and Administration External Advisory Board and as chair of the SIUC Department of Marketing Advisory Board. |
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2008 Gala Honorees |
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MILLICENT HANKLA is an inspiring woman who "is making this world a better place by both what she does for those in need and by inspiring the rest of us. . .to care more about others and to do something to help." After graduating from SIUC with a Bachelors degree in the areas of math, physics, and chemistry, she completed her Master of Arts in mathematics as one of the first six women to do so. Following a career in the SIUC business office, she worked in engineering with Western Electric Company, manufacturing ground guidance control equipment for the NIKE I missile, and later, became a teacher. Since then, she has used her time to address public policy in the areas of health, education, and safety. |
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Described as an "80-year-old dynamo," this most inspiring woman remains a champion for women's and children's causes. She is the founder of Serenity Home, a non-profit organization that served victims of family violence and child abuse. She also was involved in the founding of Two Rivers Child Advocacy Center, serving six counties in southern Illinois. And she was instrumental in the founding of Bethany Village, which operates transitional apartments, a food pantry, a thrift store, and maintains a staff to provide support services. Her many other contributions include service as a certified Court Appointed Special Advocate for children, member of the state lobbying group Voices for Children, and vice president for ecumenical action for Illinois Church Women United. As if that wouldn't keep anyone busy enough, she holds memberships in the Anna-Jo Garden Club, Home Extension, Anna Women's Club, Union County Child Advocacy Center Advisory Board, and Presbyterian Women's Council. Additionally, she serves on the board of directors for University Christian Ministries and is currently involved in developing Gaia House, a project to build and operate a living facility, residential college, and interfaith center for the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. |
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ALICE DUNN JOHNSTON is an inspiring woman who "has seen and heard about everything in Cairo's history. . . including two world wars, the Great Depression and other changes of the past nine decades." "She has called the city (of Cairo) home since her birth in 1917" and is known as an accomplished artist, ambassador of the region, and unofficial historian of Cairo. |
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As an artist, she has painted numerous canvasses featuring historic homes and landmarks in and around Cairo, authored accompanying narratives, and provided them both for display in locations including Magnolia Manor, Riverlore, Cairo Public Library, and Custom House. She has also donated her artwork to such worthy causes as Ducks Unlimited and the American Cancer Society. Her paintings have been given to many visiting dignitaries - Governors Thompson and Edgar, among them - along with the famed star Helen Hayes, when she rode the Delta Queen down the Ohio River in 1981. Her award winning quilt, "Memories of Cairo," was one of a select few chosen for display by the American Quilt Society's Paducah Quilt Show. Known as a regional ambassador and the unofficial historian of Cairo, she has documented the history of the city - "capturing the old town. . .and preserving through her art virtually every significant public building and revered home place in the city" -- along with detailed notes, annotated memorabilia, and historical correspondence. She has been interviewed by newspapers, magazines, television, SIUC/Cairo project directors, and countless students, visitors, and dignitaries touring Cairo and the southern Illinois region. Her many speaking engagements include Cairo schools, regional clubs and organizations, Lewis and Clark Expedition events, Illinois State Women's Club, and Southern Illinois Women's Health Conference, where she led a session entitled, "Don't Call Us Little Old Ladies." Through her tours and vivid storytelling, complete with dates of the clothing and images of the times, she keeps Cairo alive. |
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KATHY LIVELY is an inspiring woman who "personifies. . .unselfish character and generous volunteerism both in her personal and professional lives. . .and . . .epitomizes a woman who is committed to the advancement of her community." She is known as an advocate for economic growth and workforce development in southern Illinois. She currently serves as CEO of Man-Tra-Con Corporation, a five-county state-funded Management-Training-Consulting agency in Marion, and director of Connect SI, an SIUC based initiative designed to spur regional development through growth leveraged by widely available and affordable broadband internet access.
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Beginning her career at John A. Logan College as an instructor, counselor, coordinator, and Associate Dean of Adult Basic and Secondary Education, she has worked to enhance economic growth while improving the quality of life for southern Illinoisans. When the workers from Maytag/Whirlpool and TUMS were laid off, she spearheaded a campaign through Man-Tra-Con to help the former employees with job search efforts, leading a Transition Team of over 60 community and education leaders, providing such supporting events as employment opportunity fairs and such special services as mentoring and tutorial assistance. As director of Connect SI, she leads a 20-county community and economic development initiative to spur the growth of knowledge-based employment opportunities and enterprises throughout southern Illinois. She was instrumental in facilitating the first Reverse Trade Mission to southern Illinois and in promoting the first LeadSI Institute, an initiative to develop the next generation of regional leaders. In recognition of her contributions to the world's work, this inspiring woman is the recipient of the Illinois Governor's Workforce Development Conference Individual Leadership Award, as well as the 2006 Leaders Among Us Award. In 2007, she accepted the Herrin Citizen of the Year Award on behalf of Man-Tra-Con's efforts to help displaced workers.
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DR. CHARLOTTE WEST is an inspiring woman who, unquestionably, is a pioneer in the field of women's intercollegiate athletics. For over five decades, she has been a global champion for gender equity for female athletes and coaches, and has experienced a lifetime of "firsts" - first woman member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, an organization that later inducted her into its Hall of Fame; first member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators to be recognized as Administrator of the Year; first recipient of the Honda Award for outstanding achievement in women's intercollegiate athletics; and among the first class of women inducted into the SIU Hall of Fame. |
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During her 42-year tenure at SIUC, she achieved the rank of professor in the department of Physical Education, developing SIUC's graduate program in sports management and serving on numerous masters and doctoral committees, and served as director of intercollegiate athletics for women and interim director and associate director for intercollegiate athletics after the merger of the men's and women's athletics departments. Dr. West also was elected to and served on the Graduate Council, served as President of the SIUCs Women's Caucus, and as President of the Administrative/Professional Staff Council. During the 1970s, she served as a consultant on Title IX for the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and, in the 1990's for the Office of Civil Rights, helping to provide gender equity in intercollegiate athletic sports. She also helped establish the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics and served as its president. The Missouri Valley Conference has honored her with its Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into its Hall of Fame, and establishment of the Charlotte West Award, given annually to student-athletes who demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, service, and leadership. The SIUC women's softball stadium is named in her honor. This inspiring woman continues to be "the first to volunteer and give unselfishly of her time." She continues to serve as a role model, mentor, and friend to women students, athletes, coaches, and colleagues. She has assisted with the reading program at Carbondale's Parrish School and helps the elderly with financial issues. Included among her several memberships are American Association of University Women and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. |
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Recipient of the 2008 Alumna Achievement
Award |
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JACKIE SPINNER is an award winning journalist and travel writer. She began her career in journalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale's student newspaper, the Daily Egyptian, one of the first students to be named editor-in-chief two semesters in a row. As an undergraduate student at SIUC, she was named a State of Illinois Student Lincoln Laureate, in recognition of excellence in both curricular and extracurricular activities by the top senior from each of the state's public and private four-year colleges and universities. She currently serves as a staff writer for the Washington Post, where she has been a reporter since 1995. Her career has included working as a travel writer, covering exploits from the Galapagos islands, Rock of Gibraltar, Spain, Finland, and Jordan, and as a Metro and Financial reporter, covering business and metropolitan issues. |
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In 2004, she volunteered as an embedded reporter with the United States and Iraqi military forces to cover the war. She survived mortar attacks, car bombs, the battle for Fallujah, and a kidnapping attempt outside of Abu Ghraib prison. She reports her experiences in her book, Tell Them I Didn't Cry: A Young Journalist's Story of Joy, Loss, and Survival in Iraq, published by Simon & Schuster, described as "the vivid and intensely personal story of being a journalist in Iraq, where for nine months she covered the war from its center in Baghdad, Fallujah, Kurdistan, and Abu Ghraib - and of being transformed, eventually, from a rookie correspondent into a seasoned foreign reporter." |
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2009 Gala Honorees |
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HELEN DENISTON is an inspiring woman who is known as an expert on the history of Carbondale. She has served on the City of Carbondale Preservation Committee since 1989, conducting voluntary speaking engagements and tours on the founder of Carbondale, Daniel H. Brush, and developing historical walking tours of Carbondale’s Woodlawn Cemetery and Brush School, among other historical sites. She is also known as a tireless community volunteer, whose many contributions include service to civic and humanitarian organizations, youth organizations, local schools, and senior citizen activities, including the Girl and Boy Scouts of America, Elk’s Children’s Christmas Program, Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Auxiliary and Special Care Nursery, Alzheimer’s Association, Easter Seals Society, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Jackson County Mental Health Department, American Heart Association, March of Dimes, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Carbondale Junior Sports. |
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For 20 years, she served as Carbondale’s Welcome Wagon International Representative. She continues assisting others by driving people to doctors’ appointments, delivering Meals on Wheels, and through the First United Methodist Church in Carbondale, where she has served as an Administrative Board Member, Sunday School Teacher, and Youth Director. In recognition of her service, she was named Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, earned the City of Carbondale Good Neighbor Award, and has been honored by Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Beta Sigma Phi, and Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, among numerous others. |
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DR. KATHLEEN BROWN FRALISH is an inspiring woman who is an internationally renowned expert in the field of brain injury rehabilitation. She is the co-founder and past president of the Center for Comprehensive Services, the first after-hospital rehabilitation program in the country for persons with brain injury. As a much sought-after speaker, she has conducted numerous workshops and presentations, in addition to mentoring hundreds of students and colleagues, and authoring several articles and other publications, including several books. |
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For her work, she has been the recipient of multiple honors and awards, including the prestigious Sheldon Berrol Clinical Services Award from the Brain Injury Association of America, James Brady Award from the Illinois Head Injury Association, Athena Award from the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Alumna Award from the SIUC Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, Distinguished Member Service Award from the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, SIU Distinguished Alumni Award, and was named “A Leader Among Us” by Southern Business Journal. Her many community contributions include service on the boards of Southern Illinois Healthcare, Shawnee Health Service, and the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale. She is a founder and charter board member of Carbondale Soccer, Inc.; the Southern Illinois Audubon Society; and Green Earth. She currently serves as president of the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale Board of Directors and is a member of both the Friends Board for WSIU Public Broadcasting and the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois Healthcare. |
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REBECCA MITCHELL is an inspiring woman who is the Mayor and Village President of Ridgway, the first woman to serve in any capacity on the Village Board. Prior to her appointment and subsequent election to the position of Mayor and Village President, she taught elementary school children for 33 years at both Ridgway Elementary and Gallatin County Schools, serving as a contract negotiator for the North Gallatin Education Association. In her role as Mayor and Village President, she has successfully assisted in retaining grants to dig a new well for Ridgway, spearheaded a much-needed overhaul of the town’s water treatment plant, and acquired wireless high-speed internet for Ridgway and the surrounding areas.
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Additionally, she has assisted six economically disadvantaged youth with training and work experience during the summer, an opportunity that had not previously existed. Her numerous community activities include service as president of the Women’s Missionary Union, instructor for the vacation bible school clinic at the Southern Baptist Workshop, youth leader for the Ridgway First Baptist Church, and treasurer of the Apple Dumplings Red Hat organization. She also is a member of the Southern Gospel Quartet, Ridgway Teacher’s Association, Gallatin County Education Association, Gallatin-Saline Retired Teacher Association, and Southern Illinois Learning in Retirement. Her community service has extended far beyond southern Illinois, including travels to Louisiana as a disaster relief team member to provide assistance to victims and rebuild a church destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. She currently serves on the project team with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the planning team with FEMA.
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Dorothy Wilbourn Spomer is an inspiring woman who is a trailblazer for southern Illinois women in the legal profession. She knew she wanted to be a lawyer by the time she was in fourth grade. She received her J.D. in 1943 at the age of 22, after having attended law school in a class of only four or five other women. Her first assignment upon joining her father’s law firm and being admitted to the bar was to argue a case before the Illinois Supreme Court, a case she won. She became the first elected female judge of Alexander County at age 29 and, subsequently, became the first and only female judge in the First Judicial Circuit, encompassing the nine southern counties of Illinois, until her retirement in 1977. By 1979, she was drawn back into service and became the first female appellate court justice in the Fifth District Appellate Court, comprising the southern 37 counties in the State of Illinois. |
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Her commitment to service to the community and to improving the community is exemplified by the hundreds of decisions that she has made throughout her judicial career that have had a positive impact on the lives of people in southern Illinois. Her awards include University of Illinois Law School Bar Journal, University of Illinois Law School Order of the Coif, Lifetime Service Award from the Cairo VFW, and Lifetime Achievement Award from Business and Professional Women. Among her community activities are service as a member of the Board of Education for the Cairo Public Schools and service to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cairo, where she held the position of president of the church council. |
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Bonnie Wheeler is an inspiring woman who is an advocate for children and is committed to improving the quality of their lives. Well known throughout southern Illinois and the surrounding region as the News Director and Anchor for WSIL-TV3 until 1992, she is credited with making significant improvement to the WSIL news department. Prior to arrival at the station in 1983, she had a long career in television news and broadcast journalism that involved assignments in Oklahoma, Washington, Oregon, California, and Texas. Other service activities include work with Illinois Parents Care and Share, Williamson County Child Advocacy Center, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Arthritis Foundation, Women’s Center Capital Campaign, in addition to many other local, state, and national organizations that advocate for children and their welfare. |
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She now devotes much of her energy to issues and concerns related to children. She is a respected advocate for children’s rights, is an educator of the public about children’s issues, and has made the resources of her business available to support child wellness causes. She has served as a member of the advisory board for The Poshard Foundation for Abused Children since its inception in 1999 and currently chairs The Poshard Foundation Annual Dinner and Auction, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to assist abused, neglected, and abandoned children. . She also serves as a board member of Voices for Illinois Children, as well as for the National Runaway Switchboard, a national organization based in Chicago that serves youth who have run away or are thinking about it. Other service activities include work with Illinois Parents Care and Share, Williamson County Child Advocacy Center, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Arthritis Foundation, Women’s Center Capital Campaign, in addition to many other local, state, and national organizations that advocate for children and their welfare. |
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Recipient of the 2009 Alumna Achievement
Award |
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BETTY L. BRENNAN is an entrepreneur. An alumna of the SIUC College of Business, she serves as president of Taylor Studios, Inc., “an exhibit design and fabrication firm that assists museums and other clients in creating exhibits that are educational, creative, and built to last.” Her first entrepreneurial venture came in 1991 in the form of a company that produced educational computer interactive videos. This enterprise was meshed in 1992 into Taylor Studios, a joint venture founded with Joe Taylor, when they discovered an unmet demand for the design and fabrication of exhibit presentations. One of their first product lines was a fossil and artifact reproduction mail order business. |
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Taylor Studios today is a custom exhibit design and fabrication firm specializing in natural history exhibits for museums and nature centers. In 2007, Taylor Studios finished work on the “National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial” project in Kansas City, and as of 2008 was working on exhibits for the Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum and Visitors Center in Pennsylvania, as well as the Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans. Taylor Studios employs over 40 people, grossed $4.8 million in revenue in 2008 and is on track to reach the ambitious goal of $10 million by 2012, and made Inc. magazine’s top 500 list of 5,000 selected fastest-growing private companies. Never forgetting her roots, this Inspiring Women Alumna serves as a member of the SIUC College of Business External Advisory Board and has established the Betty L. Brennan Scholarship to aid business majors who struggle with limited financial resources while they complete their education. She was inducted into the College of Business Hall of Fame in 2006. |
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