This is the highest honor bestowed upon alumni of Joliet Junior College by Alumni Relations on behalf of Joliet Junior College. It is presented to those alumni who have demonstrated outstanding success in their chosen field, and who have provided humanitarian service to society. Deadline for submitting nominations is March 1, 2012.
Selection Criteria
- Nomination is required. Nominees must be living at the time of their nomination.
- Must hold an earned degree from Joliet Junior College.
- Must be an individual who has demonstrated outstanding success and distinction in their field.
- Must be an individual who has provided humanitarian service to society.
- Must be an individual who has demonstrated an interest in support of higher education, especially Joliet Junior College.
How to Nominate
To nominate an individual for the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, please fill out the recipient's nomination form online. Deadline for submitting nominations is March 1, 2012.
Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award Recipients
2011 Dr. Daniel Gutierrez ('58) and Robert Baca ('78)
Dr. Daniel Gutierrez is an internal medicine physician who is actively involved in the medical community and in supporting his alma mater, JJC. After graduating from JJC, he went on to earn a doctoral degree in medicine from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He also served in the U.S. Army for two years, which included a year spent in Vietnam as a medical officer. In addition to operating an internal medicine private practice for 31 years, Dr. Gutierrez served as medical director for the Will County Health Department and helped found the Will County Community Health Center. He has also served on the Silver Cross Hospital Board of Trustees, and was chairman during the time in which the board decided to build the new hospital in New Lenox. Dr. Gutierrez supports JJC by endowing a scholarship in honor of his parents, and is currently enjoying semi-retirement.
Robert Baca's prestigious career in music has spanned four decades, and includes his work as jazz band director, professor of music, performer, clinician and active community member. After completing a music degree at JJC, he continued on to Indiana University in Bloomington where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music education and music performance. Since 1986, he has held the position of professor of music at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. In addition to an impressive list of performances in orchestras, bands and jazz ensembles - which include the 2009 Disney Jazz Celebration and several Boradway shows such as "Wicked", "Evita" and "My Fair Lady" - Baca is the Bach Artist/Clinician for the Conn-Selmer Company and has presented more than 100 clinics and concerts throughout the United States and China.
Previous Recipients
| Year |
Recipient |
| 2011 |
Dr. Daniel Gutierrez ('58)
Robert Baca ('78) |
| 2010 |
Dr. Chalres O. Warthen ('58)
Charles Morgan ('91) |
| 2009 |
Richard Brandolino ('59) |
|
2008 |
Larry Walsh ('68) |
| 2007 |
Rose Mancuso |
| 2006 |
Katherine Dunham ('28), award presented posthumous
Revolutionized the world of dance, Dunham's intellectual, artistic and humanitarian contributions were extraordinary.
Edmund C. Puddicombe ('34)
Returned to JJC in 1938 as a teacher of biological sciences. Sponsored the Students of Medical Sciences for 25 years. |
| 2005 |
Dr. Thomas Streitz ('52)
Practicing Dentist, instrumental in Founding the JJC Alumni Association in 1970 and was the Association's first president. |
| 2004 |
Vera Smith '24
Retired JJC English Instructor
JJC's first Director of Admissions and Records |
| 2003 |
Anthony Gutierrez '48
Retired Assistant Principal of Joliet Central |
| 2002 |
John H. Weitendorf, Sr. '42
Owner of Town & Country Realtors |
| 2001 |
James Stephenson, Jr. '56
Founder of Kinetic Systems Corp., Lockport, IL |
| 2000 |
Dr. Curtis J. Crawford '71
President and CEO of ZiLOG, Inc. |
| 1999 |
Dr. Richard Tarizzo '51
Retired Vascular Surgeon, Joliet, IL |
| 1998 |
Richard L. Joutras '47
Retired Chairman, Bradley Printing & FNW Bank
Bernard J. Kestel '57
Engineering Specialist, Agronne Nat'l. Laboratory |
| 1996 |
Major General Daniel J. Manning '31
Retired Eng. Executive and WWII Veteran |
| 1995 |
Dr. Earle Stellwagen '53
Instructor |
| 1994 |
Hon. Julian E. Hughes '42
Retired Judge
Dr. Stanley G. Rousonelos M.D. '47 (deceased)
Doctor |
| 1993 |
Dr. Joseph McFadden '52
President of St. Thomas University, Houston, TX
Dr. Thomas Peyla M.D. '54
Physician Pediatrician
Russell E. Wunderlich '31 (deceased)
Businessman |
| 1992 |
James Agazzi '60
Art Director and Emmy Award Winner
Hon. William Caisley '60
Retired Circuit Court Judge |
| 1991 |
Franklin Brewster, Sr. '36
Retired from Motorola as Int'l. Tech. Adviser
John Barnes '41
Retired Vice President Eastman Kodak Company
Dr. John Radke '56
Clinical Professor of Medicine |
| 1990 |
Dr. Barbara Smith '60
Assistant Professor, Food Science and Nutrition Department
Dr. Edward Schweizer '53
Research Physiologist |
| 1989 |
Raymond M. Standahar '41
Retired Government Exec. Dept. of Defense |
| 1988 |
Dr. David Imig '59
College Administrator
Herbert Trackman '31 (deceased)
Businessman |
| 1987 |
Dr. William Shannon '32
Dr. Wayne Watson '66
President, Kennedy-King College
Hon. Susan Pierson-Sonderby '67
Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Dr. Donald Holt '52
Instructor |
| 1986 |
Oscar Kreimeier '27
Research Chemist
Alan Kehlet '49
NASA
George Sangmeister '51
Retired Illinois Congressman
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor '53
Author and 1992 Newbery Medal Winner |
| 1985 |
Dr. Arthur Toy '37 (deceased)
Chemist, holding more than 80 patents
B. Leighten Wellman '28 (deceased)
University Instructor
Edward C. Zajac '36
Retired Computer Administrator
Dr. John C. Houbolt '38
Chief Aeronautical Scientist, LaRC, NASA, (retired). Best known as developer of the LOR concept for putting men on the moon and returning them safely to Earth. |