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.

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  James & Marlene Evans, James F. Evans, PHD '68 MEDIA

  In 1962, Jim Evans joined the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) as an assistant professor. During his tenure, he served as head of the Teaching and Research Division of the Extension Editorial Office (later Office of Agricultural Communications) from 1962 to1985, and in leadership roles for the Office of Agricultural Communications and Education from 1986 to 1995. In 1970, he helped students establish the American Association of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), then served for 25 years as a faculty advisor and coordinator of the national headquarters.

  Evans was a driving force behind the development of the Agricultural Communications Program at Illinois, and he helped recruit high school students who excelled in 4-H public speaking contests and communications programs. He was a communication technology pioneer in the classroom, using Tele-Lecture to bring professionals into his classroom by amplified phone and by offering tape recordings of his grading comments to his students.

  In 1982, Evans helped establish what is now regarded as the first international student-faculty exchange program in agricultural communications. He also helped found and develop the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC), an on-site and online-searchable collection of agricultural communications. ACDC is now part of the University of Illinois Library. In retirement, he remains active as a volunteer associate of the ACDC and informal supporter of agricultural communications programs.

  His wife, Marlene, joined him to advise the 4-H House sorority for 25 years and to welcome many students to campus with what ACES lore remembers as “sheep pasture shuffles.” She joined him for many professional meetings and in international travel while raising their three children. The couple has generously provided financial support to ACDC, and other University initiatives. They also helped to garner support for an endowed chair in agricultural communications.

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• 1970s