Alumni Awards

The College of Education at Illinois State University annually seeks nominations for the Hall of Fame, Outstanding Young Alumni, and Legacy Award. These honors recognize College of Education graduates and friends whose achievements and contributions throughout their career, citizenship, and character serve to model and inspire others. These selections are made from candidates who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating the highest level of professional accomplishments and making extraordinary contributions to improve teaching, leading, learning, or in their chosen field.

College of Education alumni are eligible for the Hall of Fame Award based on demonstrated exceptional service to the field of education. The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes College of Education graduates (within the past ten years) who have made significant contributions to education. The Legacy Award, a lifetime career award, recognizes graduates or friends who have made a lasting and meritorious contribution to their chosen field.

New in 2023 is the Teacher of the Year Award. This award honors classroom teachers that excel in their field. The inaugural class will be inducted in April 2023.

Hall of Fame

This honor recognizes College of Education graduates who have distinguished themselves through accomplishments and contributions to the field of education. Award criteria:

Holds a degree from the College of Education at Illinois State University
Demonstrates an exceptional level of professional accomplishment in education
Provides voluntary service on a local, state, regional, national or international level
Improves education at the local, state, regional, national or international level; special honors or recognition should be submitted for consideration

Nominate an alumnus/a | Previous Inductees

Legacy Award

The Legacy Award is a career lifetime achievement award. This honor recognizes College of Education graduates or friends who have made a lasting and meritorious contribution to their chosen field. Award criteria:

Is an alum or friend the College of Education at Illinois State University
Demonstrates an exceptional level of professional accomplishment in their chosen field
Improves their chosen field at the local, state, regional, national or international level; special honors or recognition should be submitted for consideration

Nominate an alumnus/a | Inaugural Inductees-Fall 2022

Outstanding Young Alumni

This honor recognizes College of Education graduates (those 10 or less years from their bacherlor's degree) who have made significant contributions to the field of education. Award criteria:

Holds a degree from the College of Education at Illinois State University and has received their bachelor's degree in the past 10 years
Demonstrates an exceptional level of professional accomplishment in education
Provides voluntary service on a local, state, regional, national or international level
Improves education at the local, state, regional, national or international level; special honors or recognition should be submitted for consideration

Nominate an alumnus/a | Previous Inductees

Teacher of the Year

This honor recognizes current classroom teachers that excel in their field. The inaugural class will be inducted in spring 2023. Award criteria:

Graduated from any Illinois State University teacher education or education graduate program*
Ten or more years of teaching experience**
Demonstrates expertise in their field and works to contribute to students of all backgrounds and abilities
Leads and shows innovation in their school and community
Shows a commitment to students
Mentors colleagues and/or future teachers
Commits to continuous professional growth that impacts school and/or community

*Nominees for the Laboratory Schools Teacher of the Year do not have to be ISU graduates and must be currently employed at an ISU laboratory school.
**Nominees for the Teacher Legacy Award must show a long-term committment to teaching and be retired with 25+ years of classroom teaching.

Nominations for 2023 are now closed. We look forward to inducting the inaugural awardees in April.