Illinois State Alumni Association Chooses Award Recipients

The Illinois State University Annual Alumni Association has chosen six individuals to honor for their outstanding accomplishments at the Alumni Association Awards Recognition Dinner on Friday, Feb. 18.

The award recipients follow:

Distinguished Alumni Award,
Richard A. Manahan '65, M.S. '71, Ed.D. '75

Vice president for University Advancement;
president/CEO, East Tennessee State University Foundation; professor of accountancy/professor of educational leadership & policy analysis, Johnson City, Tenn.

Manahan served in the U.S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge before enrolling at Illinois State. He completed two business degrees and a doctorate in education administration at the University, where he also began his higher education career as an assistant auditor. Manahan's career included banking and public accounting. A certified public accountant, he has more than 40 years of higher education experience in teaching, research, public service, and administrative positions. While at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), Manahan has received national recognition for leading fundraising efforts that have placed endowments in the top 400 universities and colleges in the nation. He has served on more than 30 corporate, civic, elected, profit, and not-for-profit boards in areas that range from banking and medical practice management to educational policy. He has consequently established a significant record of leadership and service on the local, state, and national level. He served on the Tennessee State Board of Nursing, National Education Commission of the States, and currently serves on the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary. Manahan remains committed to Illinois State as well, serving for 15 years on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. He has received numerous accolades, including induction into the university's College of Education and College of Business Hall of Fame, the Illinois Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the National School Board Association's Distinguished Service Award. The Tennessee Legislature passed a resolution honoring and commending Manahan for his meritorious service to the state and his community.

Outstanding Young Alumni Award,
Joseph Reynolds '03,
Red Frog Events founder and owner,
Chicago, Ill.

College of Business alumnus Reynolds started his first business while an ISU student. In 2007 he envisioned creating a one-day adventure in cities around the country, which is how The Great Urban Race came into existence. Events are held in 20 cities, with participants competing for a spot in the national race. Illinois State became the first university to host the race, with some proceeds from the 2009 Homecoming event benefiting a student scholarship fund. Because Reynolds believes in giving back, each race includes an activity to boost a local charity. With the help of Illinois State alums and student interns, Reynolds has expanded his business to create Red Frog Events. His company now offers even more adventure with new events, such as Warrior Dash.

E. Burton Mercier Alumni Service Award,
Parker L. Lawlis '57, M.S. '61,  director of Placement Services Emeritus, Illinois State,
Normal, Ill.

Lawlis earned business teacher education and business administration degrees at Illinois State. He taught, was a principal, and worked at The Wall Street Journal before joining the University in 1965 as the director of Alumni. He retired in 1992 as director of Placement Services, having received state and national awards for his work in the position. He served more than two decades as a member of the Normal Town Council, was a member of the McLean County Board, and is past president of Home Sweet Home Mission. Lawlis also cochaired three Unit 5 referendum initiatives. Lawlis is also involved with the American Red Cross. He travels the country as a volunteer, ready and willing to help others rebuild following disaster. Named Normal Citizen of the Year in 1997, he continues to help others through his work at the Midwest Food Bank as a volunteer and driver. His service to Illinois State is extensive and includes a term as president of the Annuitants Association Board.

Alumni Achievement Award, Connie Fako Shoemake '77, IBM vice president, Economic Stimulus Initiatives, North America, Palatine, Ill.

Shoemake majored in special education, was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority and was nominated as a Bone Scholar while at ISU. She taught special education, grades K-12, adult GED classes, and worked as an elementary school administrator before transitioning to the business world. For more than two decades she has been a corporate leader within IBM. She is currently vice president of Economic Stimulus Initiatives for North America. Prior to 2009 Connie was vice president responsible for IBM's sales within the public sector. Named by I-Street Magazine as one of the Top 25 Technology Women in Chicago, Shoemake has been recognized by Women in Technology International as well for her leadership and mentoring excellence. Connie was appointed by Mayor Daley to represent IBM on Chicago Mayor's Council of Technology. Her dedication to bolstering America's competitiveness through improving education led to her inclusion on the Mayor's Council of Technology Advisors Talent Initiative in Chicago. She is involved in leadership and mentoring programs in the Chicago Executive Club, and sits on the Chicago Board of the American Cancer Society. A dedicated mom and wife involved in school, community and church programs, Shoemake actively seeks opportunities to help others advance and lead in the public and private sectors.

Alumni Achievement Award, Tom Irwin '79, actor, Los Angeles, Calif.

After graduation theatre alumnus Irwin joined the prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre when it moved into its first Chicago home in the fall of 1979. He has acted in or has directed more than 50 plays with Steppenwolf. Irwin has performed on Broadway, off-Broadway, in regional theatre, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Sydney and Perth Australia Festivals, The Royal National Theatre of London, and at the Wyndam Theatre London opposite Madonna. He has appeared in several films, including Midnight Run, Mr. Jones, and 21 Grams. In addition to numerous TV movies and guest spots, he was a series regular on My Life and Times, and My So-Called Life. He is currently on the TNT series Saving Grace with Holly Hunter. Irwin has been on the faculty at De Paul University and Columbia College in Chicago. He cofounded and is currently teaching with Steppenwolf Classes West in Los Angeles.

Senator John W. Maitland Jr. Commitment to Education Award,
Eugene P. Jontry '58, Illinois Regional Superintendent of Schools, Retired, Normal, Ill.

Jontry built his career on a passion to help youth. A Redbird on the basketball team and now a member of the ISU Athletics Hall of Fame, Jontry started his high school teaching and coaching career at Chenoa after completing his education degree at ISNU. He served as principal at Chenoa before taking the first of three school superintendent positions at Chenoa, Octavia, and Ridgeview. Most of his 45 years in education were spent at that administrative level. He retired as the Regional Superintendent of Schools for McLean, DeWitt, and Livingston counties in 2003. Jontry worked through the years to collaborate with the College of Education on many conferences and workshops, and is a member of the college's Hall of Fame. He helped develop the Regional Alternative/SAVE program, which helps students who struggle in a traditional classroom. Jontry received the Distinguished Service Award from the ISU Alumni Association in 1986. He served on the ISU Foundation board for 16 years, and on the Alumni Association board for 12 years, including as president.