Distinguished Service Medallion 1986
ARNOLD O. AND MABEL M. BECKMAN
Dr. Beckman, a 1922 graduate, was a scientist, teacher, and corporate
executive. Dr. and Mrs. Beckman's philanthropy has made possible
numerous educational projects, including the Beckman Institute for
Advanced Science and Technology at Urbana-Champaign. The Medallion was
awarded to Dr. and Mrs. Beckman at the Foundation meeting, October 1986.
HELENE R. FOELLINGER
Graduated in 1932, was a newspaper and radio executive in Fort Wayne
(Indiana), a member of the University of Illinois Foundation since 1959.
Her gift made possible the renovation of the Auditorium on the
Urbana-Champaign campus. The Medallion was awarded to Miss Foellinger at
the Foundation meeting, October 1986.
Board of Trustees Minutes
October 9, 1986
Helene R. Foellinger
Arnold O. and Mabel M. Beckman
AWARD OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES'
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDALLION, 1986
The Trustees' Distinguished Service Medallion was created to
recognize individuals whose contribution to the growth and development
of the University of Illinois, through extraordinary service or
benefaction, has been of unusual significance.
Recommended as recipients of the medallion for 1986 are the following individuals:
HELENE R. FOELLINGER. Following her graduation from the University
in 1932, Miss Foellinger returned to Fort Wayne, Indiana, as a reporter
for the News-Sentinel. In 1936, she succeeded her father as
president and general manager of the News Publishing Company and later
became president of the News-Sentinel Broadcasting Company, Inc., and
Fort Wayne Newspapers, Inc. She has served as director of numerous
community, arts, service, and business organizations. She holds honorary
degrees from Tri-State College and Indiana University.
Miss Foellinger has been a member of the University of Illinois
Foundation since 1959 and became a member of the Presidents Council in
1975. She has served as a member of the Foundation Board since 1975 and a
member of the Illinois Cabinet since 1979.
In 1980, Miss Foellinger provided a leadership gift to establish the
Illinois Endowment for the Performing Arts. In 1982, she made possible
the renovation of the Auditorium on the Urbana campus.
ARNOLD O. and MABEL M. BECKMAN. Dr. Beckman received his B.S. (1922)
and M.S. (1923) degrees in chemistry from the University. He received a
doctorate in photo-chemistry from the California Institute of Technology
in 1928 and stayed on there as a faculty member. His development of an
acidity testing meter in 1934 led to the establishment of Beckman
Instruments, Inc., which he served as chief executive until 1965 and
from 1965 as chairman of the board until it merged with Smith Kline in
1982. He has also served as director of several other corporate boards.
He was a member of the President's Air Quality Board and has served as
trustee and board chairman of the California Institute of Technology and
the Systems Development Foundation. He has been a trustee of the
California Institute Research Foundation and the Scripps Clinic and
Research Foundation and a member of numerous civic business and
professional organizations.
He received an honorary degree from the University in 1982 and has
received such honors from several other universities. The University's
Alumni Association gave Dr. Beckman its Alumni Achievement Award in
1960.
Mrs. Beckman, Dr. Beckman's wife of sixty years, has been his partner
in establishing a standard of thoughtful and purposeful philanthropy in
their gifts to this and other educational institutions.
The Beckmans' extraordinary benefaction will make possible the Arnold
O. and Mabel M. Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.
They have supported research on the Urbana campus for several years
through the Beckman Research Endowment. The Beckmans were among the
early major contributors to the Campaign for Illinois.
These awards will be made during the University of Illinois Foundation meeting in Urbana, October 9-11, 1986.
On motion of Mr. Forsyth, this recommendation was approved.