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Awards

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• Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award
• Susan H. Wood Hall of Fame

Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award

This is the highest honor bestowed upon alumni of Joliet Junior College by the Alumni Association, on behalf of Joliet Junior College. It is presented to those alumni who have demonstrated outstanding success in his or her chosen field, and who have provided humanitarian service to society.

Selection Criteria

• Nomination is required. Nominees must be living at the time of their nomination. Nominations will be considered active for five years.
• Must hold an earned degree from Joliet Junior College.
• Must be an individual who has demonstrated outstanding success and distinction in his or her field.
• Must be a person 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.

To nominate an individual for the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, please fill out the recipient's nomination form online.

Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

2008 Recipient Larry Walsh ('68)

Known for his passion and commitment to Will County and its people, Lawrence (Larry) M. Walsh was sworn in as Will County Executive on Dec. 6, 2004. Elected to the countywide office, Executive Walsh is responsible for the day-to-day operations of all county departments and also presides over Will County Board meetings.

Besides serving as county executive, Walsh has a distinguished career in public service. In 1970, he served as a member of the Elwood School Board and three years later, was elected as Jackson Township Supervisor—a position he held until 2004.

Walsh also served as Illinois State Senator for the 43rd District from 1997 to 2005. In this position, he represented a large portion of Will County and parts of Kankakee and Iroquois counties. On two separate occasions, he served terms as a Will County Board member—once in 1974 and again in 1992.

Previous Recipients

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Susan H. Wood Hall of Fame

This award was established to recognize a non-alumna/alumnus of Joliet Junior College who is a current, former, faculty member, administrator or friend who has served Joliet Junior College in an exceptional way.

Selection Criteria

• Nomination required
• Individual cannot be an alumna/alumnus of Joliet Junior College.
• Person must be a current or former faculty member, administrator or friend.
• This person must have served Joliet Junior College in an exceptional way.
• This individual must be active in professional and community organizations.
• This person must be a dedicated, caring, compassionate and accomplished professional.

To nominate an individual for the Susan H. Wood Hall of Fame Award, please fill out the recipient's nomination form online.

Susan H. Wood Hall of Fame Award Recipients

2008 Recipient Natalie Millier

Natalie Miller retired in 2007 after 36 years at JJC. From 1971 to 2007, Miller was a professor in the English/Foreign Languages Department. In her time at the college, she developed curriculum and taught classes in developmental reading, technical and professional reading, and children’s literature. Miller also established and supervised the Academic Skills Center, a student support service that provides tutoring and testing services.

She was honored with the Outstanding Teacher Award from JJC in both 1988 and 1994. Outside of the college, Miller volunteers at the Joliet Public Library, the Will Grundy Medical Clinic and is the senior choir director at the Theodore Street Lutheran Church. She has also participated in the United Way Campaign of Will County at the college.

Miller has said she strongly believes in giving back, and has since endowed the Sarah J. Miller Memorial Scholarship at the college in her daughter’s name.

2008 Recipient Myra Linden

Myra Linden retired in 1988 after 23 years at JJC. From 1965 to 1988, she worked in two primary capacities at the college as both an English instructor and writing specialist in the Academic Skills Center, a student support service that provides tutoring and testing services. Linden was instrumental in developing the Academic Skills Center.

Since her retirement from JJC, Linden’s professional endeavors have included providing consultation services to Morningside Learning Systems; Arizona State University; Littleton Preparatory Charter School; the University of New Mexico, Los Alamos; and various other schools, colleges and universities. She has also authored several books on grammar and reading and writing skills. Currently, she is the research director of the TRAC Institute in McLean, Ill., a post she has held since 1990.

She enjoys many activities, including reading, writing, Pilates, bicycling, walking, and painting. Linden donates to many charities as well, most notably the cancer clinic of the University of New Mexico Hospital.

Previous Recipients

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