Distinguished Service Medallion 2002
M. JOAN STUKEL
Mrs. Stukel "exemplified graciousness and quiet competence" as First
Lady of the University of Illinois. Mrs. Stukel succeeded in making
people feel very welcome and important when visiting the University of
Illinois. She has been an outstanding ambassador for our University. She
has also gladly taken on major tasks of renovation and preservation of
the President's House, handling budgets and workers with aplomb. In
doing so she has ensured protection of one of the University's treasures
for future generations. The Medallion was presented to Mrs. Stukel in
November 2002.
Board of Trustees Minutes
November 14, 2002
AWARD TRUSTEES' DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDALLION
TO M. JOAN STUKEL
The graciousness and quiet competence exemplified by Joan Stukel are
characteristics the trustees and others have come to recognize as
hallmarks of all that she has undertaken as First Lady of the University
of Illinois. Many in Illinois and around the country have been
beneficiaries of Joan's initiatives and exceptional planning of projects
important to the University. Here at home, thousands of students,
alumni, faculty members, and friends of the University have memories of
important times at the home of President and Mrs. Stukel and have
experienced the warmth, concern, and friendship she has offered all who
have met her.
Joan is a presence within the University, representing the values we
cherish, among them hard work, excellence, and service for the greater
good. She is also an interpreter of those values and of the legendary
contributions made by the University of Illinois for the betterment of
our society to innumerable groups and individuals every year. She has
always been wonderfully informed and has inspired many in her meetings
with many diverse audiences as an ambassador for the University. In all
settings and on all occasions, Joan has succeeded in making people feel
very welcome and important to her family and to the University.
She has also provided capable assistance to national higher education
organizations in the design and execution of programs at their meetings
and conferences, and she has brought her extensive experience in
executive positions to bear on her many volunteer activities for the
University's benefit. Whether organizing major events for Chicago's
Field Museum, or for the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, various
philanthropic groups in Urbana-Champaign, or serving on committees of
national organizations, Joan has served tirelessly----directed by her
loyalty to the University. In doing so she has been an outstanding
ambassador for our University. She has also gladly taken on major tasks
of renovation and preservation of the President's House, handling
budgets and workers with aplomb. In doing so she has ensured protection
of one of the University's treasures for future generations.
We, the trustees of the University of Illinois, wish to extend our
heartfelt gratitude and deep admiration for the skillful, sensitive, and
devoted service of Joan Stukel. Today we honor her with the Trustees'
Distinguished Service Medallion as a token of our appreciation.
On motion of Mrs. Sodeman, this recommendation was approved.