Renee Heiken Slone graduated from the University of Illinois in 1993 and then became the head coach for the women’s golf team at the University in 2006. Throughout her career as a student athlete, Renee was a three-time All-American, claiming three straight top 10 finishes at the NCAA Championships. She also was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, two-time Big Ten Championship Medalist, and...
Ramona Faith Oswald became a faculty member in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in 1998 and in 2001 she was promoted to Professor. Now, she is head of the department. As a scholar, Ramona is a nationally recognized leader in LGBT family life and processes. She leads a USDA supported multistate project examining the quality of life forrural LGBTQ youth and families–a first...
Paula Kaufman became the first female Dean of Libraries and University Librarian in 1999 and held the position until 2013. In 2009, she became the first recipient of the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson University Library Deanship. Paula served as Interim Chief Information Officer for the University of Illinois Urbana campus from 2006-2007. Paula has received several awards and distinctions,...
Patricia Morey served as the Director of the Women’s Resource Center at the University of Illinois since 1992. She retired in June 2017 after over 25 years of service. Prior to the working at the Women’s Resource Center, Pat worked with the Women’s Center of Champaign and was the Director of Rape Crisis Services for seven years. Pat received her degree in Social Work at the University of Illinois...
Alice Deck, nominated by a faculty mentee, joined the English department’s faculty in the 1980s and later became affiliated with the African American Studies program. She retired in 2011. As a teacher, Alice was a source of support for numerous students within and beyond her departmental affiliations. Alice was a sounding board, research advocate, phenomenal mentor, and essential stakeholder in...
Arlene Torres received her Master’s Degree in 1987 and her PhD in 1995, both from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Illinois. While at the U of I, she held positions as faculty and administrator. Arlene provided compassionate support and was a leading advocate for the interdisciplinary scholarship of many students, faculty, and staff while at Illinois. A pioneering scholar in...
Barbara A. Yates was the founding and first Director of the Women and Gender in Global Perspectives Program (WGGP), serving from 1980 to 1985. She received her PhD in comparative education and history from Columbia University. She is a Professor Emerita in Comparative Education at the University of Illinois and a pioneer in the field of women in international development. Barbara established WGGP...
Iris Chang graduated from the University of Illinois in 1989 with a degree in Journalism. Prior to coming to the University of Illinois, she was a student of the University High Laboratory High School. While an undergraduate, she was on staff at the Daily Illini. As an alum, she wrote for the New York Times producing six front-page articles in one year. In 1997, she wrote the best-selling book,...
Jeanne Gang graduated with a degree in architecture in 1986. As an alum, she is an architect and MacArthur Fellow who founded the firm Studio Gang Architects in Chicago and New York. Her work is well known, most notably including the Aqua skyscraper, the largest project ever awarded to an American firm headed by a woman, and the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. She was an International...
Leslie Erganian received her Master of Fine Arts in Photography from the University of Illinois in 1982. While a graduate student, she won the Outstanding Teaching Award in 1981 and 1982. As an alum, she has become a well- known artist and photographer with several exhibitions, publications, and television appearances. Right after graduation, Leslie displayed her work at the Phyllis Needlman...