Lou Liay Spirit Award (Est. 1997)

Bestowed upon alumni by the University of Illinois Alumni Association on behalf of the University of Illinois. The award is presented to those who have consistently demonstrated extraordinary spirit and pride in support of the University, the Alumni Association, and related organizations, exemplifying a positive image of their Alma Mater while inspiring loyalty and pride in their fellow alumni. The award is named after Lou Liay, EDM ’62, executive director of the UI Alumni Association from 1983-1998.

• 

  Mary Ellen Penicook, ’81 LAS, JD ’87

  Mary Ellen Penicook is a longtime University of Illinois supporter, currently serving as a member of the University of Illinois Foundation Board and the University’s Chicago Athletics Advisory Board, as well as a director of ICON Collective and ICON Elite, organizations set up to facilitate NIL (name, image, likeness) promotional opportunities for Illini athletes. 

  She and her late husband John A. Penicook Jr., ’81 ACES, ’82 LAS, supported several athletic scholarships, and after his death, she made a gift in his honor to the State Farm Center renovation, leading to the dedication of John Penicook Drive, the west horseshoe drive leading to the arena.

  Mary Ellen worked as an attorney with Pedersen & Houpt in Chicago and as deputy general counsel for Federal Signal Corporation. She put her legal career on hold to focus on her family—daughter Kathryn Penicook,’12 LAS, MBA ’22; and sons John Charles Penicook,’14 BUS; Robert Penicook, ’16 ENG; and Thomas Penicook, ’19 ENG.

  Mary Ellen’s civic activities include serving as the president of the Park District of La Grange, Ill.; chair of the board of directors for Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill.; and president of the St. Francis Xavier School Board in La Grange, Ill. She currently works as owner and manager of Penicook Farms, a third-generation family farm in Piper City, Ill., with 302 acres of rich, organic land.

• 2020s
• 2010s
• 2000s
• 1990s