Distinguished Service Award (Est. 1972)
Bestowed upon alumni, faculty, staff and friends by the University of 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.
Julia K. Whittington, ’93 LAS, DVM ’97
Dr. Julia K. Whittington, ’93 LAS, DVM ’97, a nationally recognized leader in wildlife medicine and rehabilitation, played a pivotal role in expanding the services for animal patients and the learning experiences for veterinary students at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, part of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
Early in her 22-year career at Vet Med, she established the hospital’s companion zoological medicine service and took on oversight of the Wildlife Medical Clinic, a unique student-run program that cares for more than 2,000 ill or injured wild animals each year. Later, as hospital director and assistant dean for clinical services, Whittington spearheaded a period of transformational renovation that included construction of a 9,000 sq. ft. surgical wing, the addition of an equine lameness arena, and renovations throughout the hospital facilities.
Whittington consistently ranked as a top U. of I. educator, as selected annually by students. She also received numerous awards from the college and campus for teaching, public engagement, service excellence, and faculty collegiality. In 2014, she received the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Significant Achievement Award, and in 2023, she received the Dr. Erwin Small Distinguished Alumni Award from the university’s Veterinary Medical Alumni Association Board.
Before pursuing her veterinary degree, Whittington served in the University of Illinois Police Department, where she was honored for Outstanding Police Work in 1991 and as Officer of the Year in 1992.
In all, her contributions at Illinois directly impacted thousands of animal patients, generations of veterinary students, and the ongoing success of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
2025
Douglas Nelson
2024
James & Marlene Evans, James F. Evans, PHD '68 MEDIA
2023
Nathan & Julie Gunn, Nathan Gunn, ’94 FAA & Julie Jordan Gunn, FAA ’92, FAA ’01
2022
Peter B. Fox
2019
Theodore Brown
2018
Michael T. Tokarz, ’71 LAS, MBA ’73
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
