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.

2024 Recipient

  • David L. Clark, '77 ENG

    Dave Clark is a staunch supporter of the University of Illinois and attends a variety of athletic events throughout the year. He holds season tickets for basketball and football, with 2024 marking the 48th consecutive year he has supported the Fighting Illini on the gridiron. In fact, he has never missed a home football game since he became a season ticket holder as a student in 1975; to keep his streak alive, he has flown home from Disneyland and rearranged family events. He has been a member of the Division of Intercollegiate Association Fan Council, currently is a member of the Rebounders Club, and began his association with the Quarterback Club as a board member in 2010.

    Clark served 28 years as an engineer with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in District 4 (Peoria) and five years as the IDOT District Engineer for District 5 (Paris), which encompasses 11 counties in east central Illinois, including Champaign County and the U. of I. Clark retired from IDOT in 2004 and then became part owner if consulting engineering firm. They then sold the company in 2022 and he is currently employed by the City of Mattoon, Illinois, as their Public Works Director. He has participated with many campus engineering organizations and events, providing mentoring to students. Clark continues to recruit U. of I. graduates and promotes intern opportunities to students who are pursuing degrees in civil engineering. His financial support benefits the University of Illinois Foundation, the I FUND, the Marching Illini, Orange Krush, and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Past Recipients

  • 2023

    • Mary Ellen Penicook, ’81 LAS, JD ’87

  • 2022

    • James W. Fessler, ’85 LAS, JD ’88 LAW

    • Gene Honda

  • 2020

    • Bob Lumsden, ’53 BUS

  • 2019

    • Al Davis, ’60 ED, MS ’62 ED, ’64 ED

  • 2018

    • Bob Giles, ’66 ENG, MBA ’68, and Pat Meyers Giles, ’69 ED

  • 2017

    • JOHN VOLK, '67 ACES

  • 2016

    • Dr. Kenneth Schmidt, ’65 LAS, MD ’67 UIC

  • 2015

    • Gayl Pyatt, ’64 LAS

  • 2014

    • Michael L. VanBlaricum, ’72 ENG, MS ’74 ENG, PHD ’76 ENG

  • 2013

    • Edwin C. Lennox III, ’90 ENG, MS ’92 ENG, MS ’97 ENG

  • 2012

    • Frederic G. Nearing, ’48 ENG

  • 2011

    • Alan L. Puzey, ’74 ACES

  • 2010

    • Samuel N. Darby, ’62 FAA

  • 2009

    • John Menees, ’52 ENG

  • 2008

    • Denis Lougeay, '66 ENG, MBA '68

    • Denruth Barre Lougeay, '65 ED, EDM '68

  • 2007

    • Norman Beasley, ’58 DSSWV

    • Mary Jane Beasley

  • 2006

    • John S. Ellison, ’64 ACES

  • 2005

    • Carol Keiser Long, '68 ACES

  • 2004

    • David G. Powless, '75 BUS

  • 2003

    • Marie L. Johnson, '54 LAS, MS '58 ED

  • 2002

    • Dan Perrino, '48 FAA, MS '49 FAA

  • 2001

    • Larry L. Fischer, '74 ACES

  • 1998

    • William Branom, '54 MEDIA

    • Henrietta Branom Knecht, '27 LAS