Distinguished Service Medallion 1998
STANLEY O. IKENBERRY
Dr. Ikenberry served as an outstanding president of the University of
Illinois for sixteen years, from 1979 to 1995. Dr. Ikenberry was
awarded the Medallion at Commencement at Urbana-Champaign, May 1998.
Board of Trustees Minutes
May 14, 1998
AWARD OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES' DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDALLION,
1998, to Stanley O. Ikenberry
Dr. Stanley O. Ikenberry is recommended as the recipient of the Trustees' Distinguished Service Medallion for 1998.
Great universities require support from many sources in order to
thrive: good faculty, good students, generous benefactors, devoted
alumni, a wise governing board, and support from the public. In addition
to these things, an essential requirement for a great university is
presidential leadership. The history of great universities has always
been the history of great educational leaders.
The University of Illinois has been blessed with a tradition of
outstanding presidents. Among those is Stanley O. Ikenberry, currently
president emeritus and regent professor of the University of Illinois.
He served as president of the University for sixteen years, from 1979 to
1995.
During these years Dr. Ikenberry established the University of
Illinois at Chicago, by consolidating the former Chicago Circle and the
Medical Center campuses into the comprehensive, vital, and exceptional
institution we know today as UIC. He added to the facilities of the
University in a remarkable and unparalleled way. Major additions to the
campuses, such as the Beckman Institute and the Grainger Library at
Urbana, and the Molecular Biology building in Chicago are examples of
the caliber of new facilities Dr. Ikenberry worked relentlessly to make
possible.
The leadership abilities of Stanley Ikenberry have been apparent not
only in American higher education but in government and corporate
circles as well. His counsel to governors, members of Congress, and
legislators has been highly regarded. Further, the partnerships he
developed between academe and business and industry through such groups
as the Chicago Commercial Club served to inspire important dialog
between these groups.
In his current position as president of the American Council on
Education, Dr. Ikenberry serves as the major representative voice for
higher education in the United States. His work on such important topics
as accreditation of institutions and programs, controlling the cost of
higher education, and federal legislation to assist colleges and
universities has benefited the entire higher education community.
We at the University of Illinois are honored that Dr. Ikenberry has
maintained academic affiliations with the University since leaving the
presidency of our institution.
Dr. Ikenberry's record of service to myriad organizations is
outstanding. He sits on the boards of corporations, museums, social
action groups, and many education councils. He has served as chair of
the major higher education associations in the country.
For his career of leadership and devotion to our University and to
American higher education, the trustees award this Distinguished Service
Medallion to Stanley O. Ikenberry. We will be forever grateful to him
for his outstanding contributions to the University of Illinois
On motion of Ms. Reese, this recommendation was approved.