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Alumni Awards 2025
Friday, April 25 , 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm CDT
Each year Illinois State University’s Alumni Association recognizes alumni for their outstanding contributions to their fields, their impact on society, and their passion for Illinois State through the Alumni Awards program. They include:
Distinguished Alumni Award
Melinda Fischer ’72, M.S. ’75
Retired women’s softball coach, Illinois State University
Alumni Achievement Award
Jyl Madlem ’95
Technical consultant, Abbott Rapid Diagnostics
Senator John W. Maitland Jr., Commitment to Education Award
Dr. Ricia A. Chansky, Ph.D. ’09
Professor of English, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
E. Burton Mercier Alumni Service Award
Dewhitt L. Bingham, M.S. ’87
Retired clinical assistant professor, Department of Criminal Justice Sciences at Illinois State University
Andrew Purnell Jr. Trailblazer Award
Linda A. Foster, M.S. ’16
Retired superintendent of Building Services, Illinois State University
Dr. Ericka Wills, M.S. ’08, Ph.D. ’15
Tenure-track assistant professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison School for Workers
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Erica Lauren Maholmes, M.F.A. ’22
Freelance lighting designer
Cost to attend is $40 per person. Register by April 11 online or by calling (309) 438-2495.