Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- Eastern Illinois University will celebrate the accomplishments and ambitions of its 2023 Alumni Awards recipients during this week’s Homecoming festivities on Saturday, October 7. Ten recipients will be recognized at this year’s Alumni Awards Dinner, which will take place in the University’s Grand Ballroom, located in the Martin Luther King, Jr. University Union on campus at 600 Lincoln Ave., Charleston. A cocktail reception will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner and award presentations to follow at 7 p.m. This year’s honorees include:
– Andre Allen ’12, ‘14
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Chief DEI Officer for Peoria County Government and City Council member, Allen is a top leader in the Greater Peoria area and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education administration.
– Cori Copeland ‘77
Distinguished Educator Award
Copeland as a retired teacher who taught music for 35 years in southeastern Illinois. She currently represents Neora International, a skincare and wellness company, and is very active with her Fairfield, IL church family.
– June Giffin ’48
Louis V. Hencken Alumni Service Award
Giffin was an EIU student-athlete who spent 20 years working at the university as an academic department office manager and staff member in the department of grants and research. She has made a lifetime commitment to serving EIU and its students through generous financial contributions and volunteer work.
– Kimberly Cheatle ‘92
Distinguished Alumni Award
Cheatle is the 27th Director of the U.S. Secret Service, tasked with the successful execution of the agency’s integrated mission of protection and investigations. She oversees a diverse workforce of more than 7,800. She previously worked for PepsiCo and as a special agent in a variety of high-level organizations.
– Dr. Brandon Combs ‘03
Distinguished Alumni Award
Combs is a successful business owner, public servant and supporter of EIU. As the mayor of Charleston since 2015, he has been committed to serving all residents while supporting EIU’s mission of providing a top-notch educational experience for all students. Combs also operates Combs Chiropractic & Park Hills Spa in Charleston with his wife, Ashley.
– Howard Kamerer ’91, ‘92
Distinguished Alumni Award
During the past 25 years, Kamerer has started, grown and developed a variety of companies in various markets, generating the same results: consistent exponential growth. Kamerer also previously served as president and CEO or Startec Global Communications; president and COO of Allied Telesyn; and founder, president and CEO of Redeye Network Group.
– Dr. Charles Maris ‘71
Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Maris retired after many years in the medical field and serving his country in the US Army Reserve. He most recently was chief of surgery and medical director of surgical services at Carle in Urbana, where he retired in 2014. He started at Carle in 1996 after years of working at Sarah Bush Lincoln.
– Stephanie Moritz ’95, ’02
Distinguished Alumni Award
Moritz is chief customer innovation officer for the American Dental Association. She has worked with other iconic brands and businesses in her more than 25 years of experience and is a founding member of Chief Chicago, a recognized keynote speaker across the country, and a fierce advocate for autism and neurodivergent individuals.
– Tom Rodgers ’75
Distinguished Alumni Award
Rodgers had a long and successful career in the aerospace and defense industry, having served as vice president of human resources at Thiokol Corporation and Alliant Tech Systems. Rodgers served on the board of directors for United Way in Utah and was a volunteer for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and continues to be an active supporter of EIU from his Arizona home.
– Byran Stewart ‘80
Distinguished Alumni Award
Stewart’s career in finance spans over 30 years as an expert in state and local government. He served under two governors, including fellow alumnus Jim Edgar; two mayors; and an Illinois senate president. Stewart was the first African American in several roles across the State and is currently semi-retired as CEO of Stewart Group, which advises organizations and agencies on fiscal matters.
The dinner, sponsored by the EIU Alumni Association, is held annually in conjunction with Eastern’s Homecoming celebration. Those interested in attending the 2023 Alumni Awards Dinner can still do so. Tickets, priced at $45 per person, are available by contacting the EIU Alumni Association at (217) 581-6425. Full recipient biographies are featured at eiu.edu/alumni as well. A full listing of Homecoming events for students, faculty and staff, community members and EIU alumni also is available at eiu.edu/homecoming.
EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.
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