University of Illinois System

Distinguished Service Medallion 2008

MANNIE L. JACKSON

Mr. Jackson graduated from the University of Illinois in 1960 and is remembered for his outstanding performance as a member of the men's basketball team and for his role as the team's captain. After graduation he became an exemplar as entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist. Mr. Jackson has set a standard for excellence, loyalty, and caring and has demonstrated leadership in all of his activities. In 2007, Mr. Jackson provided a significant gift to the College of Applied Health Sciences at the Urbana-Champaign campus; and example of his spirit of loyalty for his University and his faith in vesting in the future. The Medallion was presented to Mr. Jackson at the Black Alumni Reunion that was held in Chicago on June 18, 2008.

 

Board of Trustees Minutes
April 8, 2008

AWARD TRUSTEES’ DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDALLION
TO MANNIE L. JACKSON

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.

The Board is pleased to present the medallion to Mannie Jackson in recognition of both extraordinary service and significant benefaction to the University of Illinois.

A native of Edwardsville, Illinois, and a 1960 graduate of the University of Illinois, Mr. Jackson is remembered for his outstanding performance as a member of the men’s basketball team, including his role as the team’s captain.

Since leaving Urbana-Champaign Mannie Jackson has returned often, particularly in the last ten years. Of his visits back to his alma mater he has said, “All of the memories come back and it’s a good experience for me.”

In the years following his graduation he became an examplar as entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist. Mannie Jackson has set a standard for excellence, loyalty, and caring. From his rise in the corporate world as an executive with Honeywell. Inc., to his decision to purchase the Harlem Globetrotters and thus ensure that team’s continuity in a new era, to his work to support causes to benefit the oppressed and neglected across the globe, he has demonstrated leadership at critical times.

In 2007, Mr. Jackson provided a significant gift to the College of Applied Health Sciences at the Urbana-Champaign campus; an example of his spirit of loyalty for his University and his faith in investing in its future.

To Mannie Jackson, an extraordinary member of the University of Illinois family, the members of the Board of Trustees take pride and express great joy in presenting the Trustees’ Distinguished Service Medallion.