Alumni Awards and Nominations

Annually, Joliet Junior College and the Foundation honor recipients of three prestigious awards, Dr. Judy Mitchell Alumni Achievement Award, Susan H. Wood Hall of Fame Award and the J.D. Ross Extraordinary Service Award. 

Here you will find criteria, nomination and past recipient information on the two alumni based awards.  

Dr. Judy Mitchell Alumni Achievement Award

This award is the highest honor bestowed upon a Joliet Junior College alumna/alumnus by the Alumni Association. It is presented at the annual Night of Stars to those alumni who have demonstrated outstanding success in their chosen field and provided humanitarian service to society. Nominees must be living at the time of their nomination.

  • Nomination Information

    The JJC Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the Dr. Judy Mitchell Alumni Achievement Award. Do you know someone who has:

    • Earned a degree from Joliet Junior College? 
    • Demonstrated outstanding success and distinction in their field? 
    • Provided humanitarian service to society? 
    • Demonstrated an interest in support of higher education, especially JJC? 

    This award is the highest honor bestowed upon alumni of Joliet Junior College by Alumni Relations on behalf of Joliet Junior College. Nominees must be living at the time of their nomination.  

    If so, please consider nominating him/her for the Dr. Judy Mitchell Alumni Achievement Award. To nominate someone, please fill out the Dr. Judy Mitchell Alumni Achievement Award nomination form. 

  • Past Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

    2024

    Gary Lichtenwalter '61

    2023

    Jen Howard '84 

    2022

    Dr. Judy Mitchell '98 

    ​2020 / 2021

    William R. Conte '85  

    2019

    Dr. Dennis Haggerty '66 

    Harry Resis '65 

    2018

    Jay D. Bergman '68 

    Ed Czerkies '57 - 

    ​​2017

    Rev. Dr. Lester Brown '98 

    Dave Westphal '66 

    2016

    Robert Garza '83 

    ​2015

    ​​Dr. Robert Larson '76 

    2014

    The Honorable Raymond Bolden '53 

    Bob Zak '81 

    2013

    Ronald M. Whitaker '69 

    2012

    Beulah Hoffer '32 

    Philip Nelson '78 

    2011

    Dr. Daniel Gutierrez '58 

    Robert Baca '78 

    2010

    Dr. Charles O. Warthen '58 

    Charles Morgan '91 

    2009 

    Richard Brandolino '59 

    2008

    Larry Walsh '68 

    2007 

    Rose Mancuso 

    2006 

    Katherine Dunham '28 

    Edmund C. Puddicombe '34

    2005 

    Dr. Thomas Streitz '52

    2004 

    Vera Smith '24

    2003 

    Anthony Gutierrez '48

    2002 

    John H. Weitendorf, Sr. '42 

    2001 

    James Stephenson, Jr. '56

    2000 

    Dr. Curtis J. Crawford '71

    1999 

    Dr. Richard Tarizzo '51

    1998 

    Richard L. Joutras '47 

    Bernard J. Kestel '57

    1996 

    Major General Daniel J. Manning '31 

    1995 

    Joseph Burla '55

    Dr. Earle Stellwagen '53

    1994 

    Hon. Julian E. Hughes '42 
     

    Dr. Stanley G. Rousonelos M.D. '47 

    1993 

    Dr. Joseph McFadden '52

    Dr. Thomas Peyla M.D. '54

    Russell E. Wunderlich '31 

    1992

    James Agazzi '60

    Hon. William Caisley '60

    1991 

    Franklin Brewster, Sr. '36 

    John Barnes '41

    Dr. John Radke '56

    1990 

    Dr. Barbara Smith '60

    Dr. Edward Schweizer '53

    1989 

    Raymond M. Standahar '41 

    1988 

    Dr. David Imig '59

    Herbert Trackman '31 

    1987 

    Dr. William Shannon '32 

    Dr. Wayne Watson '66

    Hon. Susan Pierson-Sonderby '67

    Dr. Donald Holt '52

    1986 

    Oscar Kreimeier '27 

    Alan Kehlet '49

    George Sangmeister '51 

    Phyllis Reynolds Naylor '53

    B. Leighten Wellman '28 

    Edward C. Zajac '36

    Dr. John C. Houbolt '38

    1985 

    Dr. Arthur Toy '37 

Susan H. Wood Hall of Fame Award

This award was established to recognize a non-alumna/alumnus of Joliet Junior College who is a current or former faculty member, administrator or friend who has served Joliet Junior College in an exceptional way. Susan H. Wood organized and fostered the growth of the Joliet Junior College Alumni Association. This award is presented at the annual Night of the Stars, formerly Alumni Brunch.

  • Nomination Information

    The JJC Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the Susan H. Wood Hall of Fame Award.

    • This award was established to recognize a non-alumna/alumnus of Joliet Junior College who is a current or former faculty member, administrator or friend who has served Joliet Junior College in an exceptional way.


    To nominate someone for the Susan H. Wood Hall of Fame Award, please fill out the online Susan H. Wood Hall of Fame Award nomination form. 

  • Past Susan H. Wood Hall of Fame Recipients

    2024

    Maria Anna Rafac

    2023

    John H. Weitendorf, Jr.

    2022

    William O'Connor

    Mike Brncick

    2020 / 2021

    Peter L. Neff 

    2019

    Dr. Robert Marchink

    2018

    Robert Wunderlich

    2017

    William Johnson

    Joe Milosevich

    2016

    Professor Emeritus Ted Thompson

    Professor Emeritus Dr. Arthur A. Wagner

    ​2015

    ​Professor Emeritus Silas Ellingson

    John Cronin

    2014

    Professor Emeritus Patrick Asher

    Dr. Cecil Ingmire

    2013

    Professor Emeritus Paul Lester

    2012

    Professor Emeritus Curtis Hieggelke

    2011

    Dr. Emily Zabrocki

    2010

    Dr. John Peterson

    Jerry Lewis

    2009

    J. D. Ross

    2008

    Myra Linden

    Natalie Miller

    2007

    John Stobart

    2006

    Gilbert Bell

    2005

    Robert Klein

    2004

    Robert Wysocki

    2003

    John Fillipitch

    2002

    John F. Corradetti

    2001

    Dr. William Zales

    2000

    Dr Robert Sterling

    1999

    Dr. Carolyn T. Engers

    1997

    Helen Harshbarger

    1996

    Clarence F. Schmitz

    1995

    Dr. Peter Nichols

    Virginia Richards

    1990

    Maurice Berlinsky

    Maynard Boudreau

    Henry Pillard

    1989

    John M. Sayre

    Sheila Sasso

    1988

    Carl Eggman

    1987

    Grace A. Brewer

    Walter F. Zaida

    1986

    Max Kuster

    1985

    William R. Glasscock

    1984

    Vera Stellwagen Smith

    1983

    Lottie Skidmore

    1982

    Harry D. and Emily Lennon Leinenweber

    1981

    Kenneth P. Parker

    1980

    Grayce M. Stadler

    1979

    Edmund C. Puddicombe

    1978

    Elmer W. Rowley

    1977

    Susan H. Wood

J.D. Ross Extraordinary Service Award

To make a nomination for the J.D. Ross Extraordinary Service Award, please fill out the nomination form below or contact Kelly Rohder-Tonelli, Executive Director, Communications & Marketing at 815-280-2915.

JJC Foundation Distinguished Partners in Excellence Award

This annual award will recognize an exemplary employer, business or industry group that has demonstrated decisive involvement and firm commitment to advancing the mission of both Joliet Junior College and the JJC Foundation.