About the Micro-Urban Video

Champaign-Urbana enjoys a long tradition of attracting and nurturing creative individuals who excel in a variety of fields. The innovations and accomplishments featured in the micro-urban video represent just a slice of the rich and varied achievements of our community members, faculty, students, and alumni for whom Champaign-Urbana is, or has been, their home.

We thought you might like to see the names behind the numbers. This information, like our community, is constantly evolving. If you know of outstanding achievements by someone affiliated with Champaign-Urbana, please drop us a line; we'd like to hear from you.

Nobel Laureates

University of Illinois Alumni

  • Edward Doisy (1892–1986) shared the Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology in 1943. Doisy discovered the chemical nature of vitamin K. His work involved synthesis, isolation, and characterization of the K vitamins. Doisy received two University of Illinois degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (1914) and a Master of Science (1916).
  • Vincent Du Vigneaud (1901–1978) won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1955 for his work on "biochemically important sulfur compounds, especially for achieving the first synthesis of a polypeptide hormone." Du Vigneaud received a Bachelor of Science (1923) and a Master of Science (1924) from the University of Illinois. He served on the University faculty from 1929 to 1932.
  • Robert Holley (1922–1993) won the Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology in 1968 for his work determining the precise structure of nucleic acids. He received a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1942.
  • Jack S. Kilby (1923–2005) shared the 2000 Nobel Prize in physics for his part in the invention and development of the integrated circuit, the microchip. Kilby received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois in 1947.
  • Edwin Krebs (1918– ) shared the 1992 Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology with Edmond Fischer for their discoveries in the 1950s concerning reversible protein phosphorylation. Krebs was awarded a University of Illinois Bachelor of Arts degree in 1940.
  • Polykarp Kusch (1911–1993) shared the 1955 Nobel Prize in physics for his work toward precise measurement of the magnetic moment of the electron. Kusch received a Master of Science (1933) and a Ph.D. (1936) from the University of Illinois.
  • John Robert Schrieffer (1931– ) shared the 1972 Nobel Prize in physics with faculty member John Bardeen and postdoctoral fellow Leon Cooper for their work at the University of Illinois on the theory of superconductivity. Schrieffer received a Master of Science in 1954 and a Ph.D. in 1957 from the University and served on the physics faculty from 1959 to 1962.
  • Phillip A. Sharp (1944– ) shared the 1993 Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology for the discovery of split genes, which proved that genes can be composed of several separate segments. Sharp received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1969.
  • Hamilton Smith (1931– ) shared the 1978 Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology for “the discovery of restriction enzymes and their application to problems of molecular genetics.” Smith graduated from University High School in 1948 and attended the University of Illinois from 1948 to 1950.
  • Wendell Stanley (1904–1971) shared the 1946 Nobel Prize in chemistry for contributions to the preparation of enzymes and virus proteins in pure form. Stanley received two University of Illinois degrees: a Master of Science (1927) and a Ph.D. (1929).
  • Rosalyn Sussman Yalow (1921– ) shared the 1977 Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology for the discovery and development of radioimmunoassay, a technique that employs radioactive isotopes to detect and measure the levels of insulin and hormones in the blood and in body tissues. Yalow was the second woman to win the Nobel Prize in medicine. Yalow holds two University of Illinois degrees: a Master of Science (1942) and a Ph.D. (1945).

University of Illinois Faculty

  • John Bardeen (1908–1991) won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1956 and 1972, the only person to have won the physics prize twice. He shared the 1956 prize with W. H. Brattain and W. Shockley for research on semiconductors and the invention of the transistor at Bell Labs, and the 1972 prize with L. N. Cooper and J. R. Schrieffer for the theory of superconductivity, developed at the University of Illinois. Bardeen served on the University’s faculty from 1951 until his death in 1991.
  • Leon N Cooper (1930– ) shared the 1972 Nobel Prize in Physics with faculty member John Bardeen and alumnus John R. Schreiffer for their development of the theory of superconductivity, usually called the BCS-theory. He was a research associate at the University of Illinois from 1955 to 1957.
  • Elias Corey (1928– ) won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1990 for his "development of the theory and methodology of organic synthesis." Corey served on the faculty in the Department of Chemistry at the University from 1951 to 1959.
  • Vincent Du Vigneaud (see listing under alumni)
  • Murray Gell-Mann (1929– ) won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1969 for "his contributions and discoveries concerning the classification of elementary particles and their interactions." Gell-Mann was a postdoctoral research associate in 1951 and a visiting research professor from 1952-1953.
  • Leonid Hurwicz (1917–2008) shared the Nobel Prize in economics in 2007 with Eric S. Maskin and Roger B. Myerson for "having laid the foundations of mechanism design theory." He served as a faculty member at the University of Illinois Department of Economics from 1949-1951.
  • Paul C. Lauterbur (1929–2007) shared the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 2003 with Sir Peter Mansfield for "seminal discoveries concerning the use of magnetic resonance to visualize different structures." Lauterbur was among the first scientists to use nuclear magnetic resonance in the studies of molecules, solutions, and solids. Lauterbur joined the University of Illinois faculty in 1985.
  • Anthony J. Leggett (1938– ) shared the 2003 Nobel Prize in physics with Alexei A. Abrikosov and Vitaly L. Ginzburg for "pioneering contributions to the theory of superconductors and superfluids." Leggett formulated the decisive theory explaining how atoms interact and are ordered in the superfluid state. Leggett joined the University of Illinois faculty in 1983.
  • Salvador Luria (1912–1991) won the Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology in 1969 with Max Delbruck and Alfred Hershey for discoveries concerning the replication mechanism and the genetic structure of viruses. He served as a professor of bacteriology at the University from 1950 to 1959.
  • Sir Peter Mansfield (1933– ) shared the 2003 Nobel Prize in Medicine with faculty member Paul C. Lauterbur for "seminal discoveries concerning the use of magnetic resonance to visualize different structures." Mansfield was a research associate in the University of Illinois Department of Physics from 1962 to 1964.
  • Rudolph Marcus (1923– ) won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1992 for contributions to the theory of how electrons are transferred between molecules—work that helps explain such phenomena as rust and how plants draw nourishment from light. He served as a faculty member in the University of Illinois Department of Chemistry from 1964 to 1978 and completed much of his prize-winning research at the University.
  • Franco Modigliani (1918–2003) won the Nobel Prize in economics in 1985 for two major theories: one on personal finance and one on corporate finance. He served as a faculty member in the University of Illinois Department of Economics from 1948 to 1952.
  • John Robert Schrieffer (see listing under alumni section)
  • 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
    The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Al Gore and to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for their efforts in building and disseminating greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures needed to counteract that change. Eight faculty members and research scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign served on the IPCC and were acknowledged by the organization for their contributions to the Nobel-earning work.
    Donald Wuebbles and Michael Schlesinger were recognized by special certificate by the IPCC for their leadership roles in the work.
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Team
    Natalia Andronova
    Adjunct Professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences
    William Chapman
    Research Scientist, Department of Atmospheric Sciences
    Katharine Hayhoe
    Adjunct Research Scientist, Department of Atmospheric Sciences
    Atul Jain
    Professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences
    Ken Patten
    Research Scientist, Department of Atmospheric Sciences
    Michael Schlesinger
    Professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences
    John Walsh
    Professor Emeritus, Department of Atmospheric Sciences
    Donald Wuebbles
    Professor, Department of Atmospheric Sciences

University High School Graduates

  • Philip Anderson (1923– ) won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1977. He shared the prize with John Van Vleck and Nevill Mott for their "fundamental theoretic investigation of the electronic structure of magnetic and disordered systems." Anderson graduated from University High School in 1940.
  • Hamilton Smith (see listing under alumni section)
  • James Tobin (1918-2002) won the Nobel Prize in economics in 1981. Tobin’s work provided "a basis for understanding how subjects actually behave when they acquire different assets and incur debts" by his statement of the "portfolio selection theory" of investment. Tobin graduated from University High School in 1935.

Source: https://illinois.edu/about/awards.html

[Back to top]

Olympians & Paralympians

Olympians

  • David Abbot
    Track & Field: 1928 Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Kevin Anderson (South Africa)
    Men’s Tennis: 2008 Beijing, China
  • Milton S. Angier
    Track & Field: 1920 Antwerp, Belgium
  • Robert Archibald (Great Britain)
    Men’s Basketball: 2012 London, United Kingdom
  • Mark P. Arie
    Trapshoot: 1920 Antwerp, Belgium
  • Rebecca J. Ayars
    Track & Field: 1956 Melbourne, Australia
  • Chantal Dunn Bailey
    Speedskating: 1994 Lillehamer, Norway
  • Basil Bennet
    Track & Field: 1920 Antwerp, Belgium
  • Bonnie Blair
    Speedskating: 1984 Sarajevo, Yugoslavia;
    1988 Calgary, Canada;
    1992 Albertville, France;
    1994 Lillehamer, Norway
  • Diane Bolin-Kelley
    Gymnastics: 1968 Mexico City, Mexico
  • Karen Brems Kurreck
    Cycling: 2000 Sidney, Australia
  • Avery Brundage
    Decathlon, Pentathlon: 1912 Stockholm, Sweden
    IOC President 1952-1972
  • Tonja Bufort-Bailey
    Track & Field: 1992 Barcelona, Spain; 1996 Atlanta, United States; 2000 Sydney, Australia
  • Wilbur G. Burroughs
    Track & Field: 1908 London, United Kingdom
  • Roger Capan
    Speedskating: 1968 Grenoble, France
  • John R. Case
    Track & Field: 1912 Stockholm, Sweden
  • Phillip Y. Coleman
    Track & Field: 1956 Melbourne, Australia; 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Jean Driscoll
    Wheelchair Track: 1992 Barcelona, Spain; 1996 Atlanta, Georgia
  • William A. Conterio
    Men’s Soccer: 1952 Helsinki, Finland; 1956 Melbourne, Australia
  • Ilkay Dikman (Turkey)
    Women’s Swimming: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Mike Durkin
    Track & Field: 1976 Montreal, Canada
  • Dwight Eddleman
    High Jump: 1948 London, England
  • Bob Emery
    Track & Field: 1920 Antwerp, Belgium
  • Robert Espeseth, Jr.
    Rowing: 1976 Montreal, Canada;1980 Moscow, Russia; 1984 Los Angeles, California; 1988 Seoul, Korea
  • Jane Fauntz
    Women’s Swimming and Diving: 1928 Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Perdita Felicien (Canada)
    Track & Field: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Joaquim Feneberg
    Sailing: 1968 Mexico City, Mexico
  • Horatio M. Fitch
    Track & Field: 1924 Paris, France
  • Paul Foreman
    Track & Field: 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Kirsten Gleis (Holland)
    Women’s Volleyball: 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Abraham Grossfeld
    Gymnastics: 1956 Melbourne, Australia; 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Muriel (Davis) Grossfeld
    Gymnastics: 1956 Melbourne, Australia; 1960 Rome, Italy; 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Sharon Hedrick
    Wheelchair Track: 1984 Los Angeles, California; 1988 Seoul, Korea
  • Erik Henriksen
    Speedskating 1980: Lake Placid, New York; 1984 Sarajevo, Yugoslavia; 1988 Calgary, Canada
  • Nikkita Holder (Canada)
    Track & Field: 2012 London, United Kingdom
  • Werner Holzer
    Wrestling: 1968 Mexico City, Mexico
  • Trenton Jackson
    Track & Field: 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Franklin Johnson
    Track & Field: 1924 Paris, France
  • Harlan Johnson
    Modern Pentathlon: 1952 Helsinki, Finland
  • Jenny Kallur (Sweden)
    Track & Field: 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Susanna Kallur (Sweden)
    Track & Field: 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China
  • George Kerr
    Track & Field: 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Daniel Kinsey
    Hurdles: 1924 Paris, France
  • Marko Koers (Netherlands)
    Track & Field: 1992 Barcelona, Spain; 1996 Atlanta, United States; 2000 Sydney, Australia
  • Jonathan Kuck
    Men's Speed Skating: 2010 Vancouver BC, Canada
  • Jens Kujawa (Germany)
    Basketball: 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Gia Lewis-Smallwood
    Track & Field: 2012 London, United Kingdom
  • Charles Lakes
    Gymnastics: 1988 Seoul, South Korea
  • Donald R. Laz
    Pole Vault: 1952 Helsinki, Finland
  • Edward F. Lindberg
    Track & Field: 1912 Stockholm, Sweden
  • Gakologelwang Masheto (Botswana)
    Track & Field: 2008 Beijing, China
  • William W. May
    Track & Field: 1908 London, United Kingdom
  • Herb McKenley
    Track & Field: 1948 London, England; 1952 Helsinki, Finland
  • Linda Metheny
    Gymnastics: 1964 Tokyo, Japan; 1968 Mexico City, Mexico; 1972 Munich, Germany
  • Jim Millns
    Ice Dancing: 1976 Innsbruck, Austria
  • Dominick Minicucci
    Gymnastics: 1988 Seoul, South Korea; 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Allie Roy Morrison
    Wrestling: 1928 Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • William Mulliken
    Swimming: 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Colleen Mulvihill
    Gymnastics: 1968 Mexico City, Mexico
  • Frank Murphy
    Pole Vault: 1912 Stockholm, Sweden
  • Harold Osborn
    Track & Field: 1924 Paris, France; 1928 Amsterdam, Holland
  • Robert Olsen
    Bobsledding: 1998 Nagano, Japan
  • Katherine Reutter
    Speed Skating: 2010 Vancouver BC, Canada
  • Bob Richards
    Pole Vault: 1948 London, England; 1952 Helsinki, Finland; 1956 Melbourne, Australia
  • Andrew Riley
    Track & Field: 2012 London, United Kingdom
  • Chris Robinson (Canada)
    Baseball: 2008 Beijing, China
  • Nathan Savoie
    Figure Skating: 2006 Turin, Italy
  • Mike Shine
    Track & Field: 1976 Montreal, Canada
  • Justin Spring
    Gymnastics: 2008 Beijing, China
  • Nancy Thies
    Gymnastics: 1972 Munich, Germany
  • Gayle R. Thompson
    Rowing: 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Don Tonry
    Gymnastics: 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Bobby True (Liberia)
    Track & Field: 2000 Sydney, Australia
  • Michael Velazquez
    Luge: 2002 Salt Lake City, United States
  • Craig Virgin
    Track & Field: 1976 Montreal, Canada; 1984 Los Angeles, United States
  • Deron Williams
    Men’s Basketball: 2008 Beijing, China
  • Kenneth L. “Tug” Wilson
    Track & Field: 1920 Antwerp, Belgium
  • Emily Zurrer (Canada)
    Soccer: 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, United Kingdom

Paralympians

  • Dylan Alcott (Australia)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Patrick Anderson (Canada)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Joseph Arcese
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Barbi Baum
    Swimming: 1980 Arnhem, Netherlands; Alpine Skiing (slalom) 1988 Innsbruck, Austria
  • Judith Benoit
    Swimming, Table Tennis: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Adam Bleakney
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Teresa Brandenburg
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Wayne Broeren (inaugural games participant)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Stephanie Brooks
    Swimming: 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Sarah Castle
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Ella Chafee
    Swimming, Wheelchair Fencing: 1964 Tokyo, Japan; Track & Field: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel; Wheelchair Fencing: 1996 Atlanta, United States
  • Marguerite (Hope) Chafee
    Swimming: 1964 Tokyo, Japan; 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel; Archery: 1976 Toronto, Canada
  • Ryan Chalmers
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Shelley Chaplin (Australia)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Stephen Chess
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Jennifer Chew
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Patty Cisneros
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China
  • Gavin Cloy
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Ann Cody
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1984 Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain; Wheelchair Track: 1988 Seoul, South Korea; 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Mary Lou Collins
    Archery, Table Tennis: 1972 Heidelberg, West Germany
  • Joanna Cornett
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Patrick Cottini
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1996 Atlanta, United States
  • Ella Cox
    Swimming, Fencing: 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Janna Crawford
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Randall Dagis (inaugural games participant)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Keith Davis
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1996 Atlanta, United States; Wheelchair Track & Field: 2000 Sydney, Australia
  • Lynn Dickey
    Archery, Table Tennis: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Debbie Dillon
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1976 Toronto, Canada
  • Travis Dodson
    Nordic Skiing: 2014 Sochi, Russia
  • Jean Driscoll
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1988 Seoul, South Korea; 1992 Barcelona, Spain; 1996 Atlanta, United States; 2000 Sydney, Australia
  • Daniel Dropko
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1972 Heidelberg, West Germany
  • Carleigh DeWald
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Vincent Falardeau
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1964 Tokyo, Japan; 1976 Toronto, Canada
  • Richard Feltes
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Tracy Ferguson (Canada)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1996 Atlanta, United States; 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Richard Fetter
    1972 Heidelberg, West Germany
  • Frank Fiorello
    Swimming: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Anjali Forber-Pratt
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Helen Freeman (Great Britain)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Michael Frogley (Canada)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Travis Geaertner (Canada)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Jessica Galli
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Britain
  • Joshua George
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Carol (Bobbi) Giesse
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Michael Goodling
    Wheelchair Track: 1984 Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain
  • Terri Goodnight
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1988 Seoul, South Korea; 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Kris Graham
    Wheelchair Track: 1988 Seoul, South Korea
  • Susan Hagel
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1976 Toronto, Canada; 1980 Arnhem, Netherlands; 1984 Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain; 1988 Seoul, South Korea; 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Timothy Harris
    Swimming: 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Robert Hawkes
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1964 Tokyo, Japan; 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Brad Hedrick
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1980 Arnhem, Netherlands; 1984 Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain
  • Sharon Hedrick (Rahn)
    Wheelchair Track: 1976 Toronto, Canada; 1980 Arnhem, Netherlands; 1984 Los Angeles, United States; 1988 Seoul, South Korea; 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Carol Hetherington
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Carlee Hoffman
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China
  • Scot Hollonbeck
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1992 Barcelona, Spain; 1996 Atlanta, United States; 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Emily Hoskins
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China
  • Tony Iniguez
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1992 Barcelona, Spain; 2008 Beijing, China
  • Ronda Jarvis
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Ronda July
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1976 Toronto, Canada
  • Susan Katz
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1996 Atlanta, United States; 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Bridie Kean (Australia)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Rene Keres
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1984 Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain
  • Hiroaki Kozai (Japan)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Dan Kotter
    Archery: 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Adam Lancia (Canada)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Marvin Lapicola
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Curtis Lease
    Sitting Volleyball: 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Janet Little
    Wheelchair Archery, Wheelchair Track: 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Allison Locey
    Wheelchair Track: 1988 Seoul, South Korea
  • Norm Lyduch
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1996 Atlanta, United States; Wheelchair Rugby: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China
  • Peggy Martin
    Wheelchair Track: 1996 Atlanta, United States
  • Raymond Martin
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Linda Mastandrea
    Wheelchair Field: 1992 Barcelona, Spain
    Wheelchair Track: 1996 Atlanta, United States
  • Sharon McCarthy
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1988 Seoul, South Korea; 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Anderson McCullough
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Lauren McDevitt
    Equestrian: 1996 Atlanta, United States
  • Tatyana McFadden
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain; 2014 Sochi, Russia
    Nordic Skiing: 2014 Sochi, Russia
  • Amanda McGrory
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Shawn Meredith
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1992 Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; 1996 Atlanta, United States
  • Nichole Millage
    Sitting Volleyball: 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Kari Miller
    Sitting Volleyball: 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Edina Mueller (Germany)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Grant Mizens (Australia)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Mina Mojtahedi (Finland)
    Wheelchair Curling: 2014 Sochi, Russia
  • Evelyn Mulry (Moore)
    Swimming: 1964 Tokyo, Japan; 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Miriam Nibley
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Mike Noe
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1992 Barcelona and Madrid, Spain
  • Ruth Nunez
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1996 Atlanta, Georgia
  • Robert Ocvirk
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1972 Heidelberg, West Germany; 1980 Arnhem, Netherlands
  • John O’Donnell
    Archery, Wheelchair Track & Field, Swimming: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Kevin Orr
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1988 Seoul, South Korea
  • Jim Osmon
    Track & Field: 1988 Seoul, South Korea
  • Edward Owen
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel; 1972 Heidelberg, West Germany; 1976 Toronto, Canada; 1980 Arnhem, Netherlands
  • Aaron Pike Wheelchair Track & Field: 2012 London, Great Britain; 2014 Sochi, Russia Nordic Skiing: 2014 Sochi, Russia
  • Kim Pollack
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Betsy Pyle
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1980 Arnhem, Netherlands
  • Sherry Ann Ramsey
    Wheelchair Racing (Marathon): 1988 Seoul, South Korea
  • William Renje
    Wheelchair Rugby: 1996 Atlanta, United States; 2000 Sydney, Australia
  • Ian Rice
    Wheelchair Racing: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Diana Richardson
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 1972 Heidelberg, West Germany
  • Alberta Richetelle
    Wheelchair Track & Field (Javelin): 1964 Tokyo, Japan; 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Christina Ripp (Schwab)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Jennifer Ruddell (Warkins)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China
  • Susannah Scaroni
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Steve Serio
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Charles Sheridan
    Archery: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Brian Siemann
    Wheelchair Track & Field: 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Bill Simmons
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Gary Smukal
    Archery: 1976 Toronto, Canada
  • Paul Sones (inaugural games participant)
    Archery: 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Ronald Stein (inaugural games participant)
    Wheelchair Track & Field, Wheelchair Basketball: 1960 Rome, Italy; 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Harry Stewart (inaugural games participant)
    Archery: 1960 Rome, Italy
  • Chris Stoutenburg (Canada)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004; 2008 Beijing, China
  • Margaret Stran
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1992 Barcelona, Spain; 1996 Atlanta, United States
  • Linda Stratman
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Jana Stump
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1996 Atlanta, United States; 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004
  • Carl Suter
    1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Tiana Tozer
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Donald Vandello Wheelchair Track & Field: 1972 Heidelberg, West Germany; 1976 Toronto, Canada
  • George Veenstra
    Archery, Table Tennis: 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Rodney Vlieger Wheelchair Track & Field: 1972 Heidelberg, West Germany; 1976 Toronto, Canada; 1980 Arnhem, Netherlands
  • Steve Von Nordheim
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1992 Barcelona, Spain
  • Brandon Wagner (Canada)
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2012 London, Great Britain
  • William Waller
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2000 Sydney, Australia; 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China; 2012 London, Great Britain
  • Ann Walters
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1988 Seoul, South Korea; 1992 Barcelona, Spain; 1996 Atlanta, United States; 2000 Sydney, Australia
  • Judith Waterman
    Fencing: 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Judy Webb
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1968 Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Stephanie Wheeler
    Wheelchair Basketball: 2004 Athens, Greece; 2008 Beijing, China
  • Jack Whitman (inaugural games participant)
    Archery: 1960 Rome, Italy; 1964 Tokyo, Japan
  • Sam Williams
    Boccia: 2004 Athens, Greece
  • Barb Yoss
    Wheelchair Basketball: 1984 Stoke Mandeville, Great Britain; 1988 Seoul, South Korea

Sources: https://champaignparks.com
grfx.cstv.com
en.wikipedia.org
www.disability.illinois.edu

[Back to top]

National Medal of Science Recipients

University of Illinois Alumni

  • Philip Anderson (1923– ) received the National Medal of Science in 1982 for his fundamental and comprehensive contributions to the theoretical understanding of condensed matter. He was an alumnus of University High School.
  • Arnold Beckman (1900-2004) received the National Medal of Science in 1989 "for his leadership in the development of analytical instrumentation, and for his deep and abiding concern for the vitality of the Nation’s scientific enterprise."
  • Alfred Y. Cho (1937- ) received the National Medal of Science in 1993 "for his pioneering work in the development of molecular beam epitaxy, which revolutionized thin film growth, making possible atomically accurate structures for elecronic and pro elecronic devices, and for the study of new quantum phenomena."
  • Philip Handler (1917-1981) received the National Medal of Science in 1981 "for his outstanding contributions to biochemical research, resulting in significant contributions to mankind, including research that led to a clearer understanding of pellagra, and for his national leadership in furthering the state of American science."
  • Nick Holonyak, Jr. (see listing under faculty section)
  • Charles Keeling (1928-2005) received the National Medal of Science in 2001 "for his pioneering and fundamental research on atmospheric and oceanic carbon dioxide, the basis for understanding global carbon cycle and global warming."
  • Jack Kilby (1923–2005) received the National Medal of Science in 1969 for his "original conceptions and valuable contributions in the production and application of integrated circuits." Kilby received a Bachelor of Science (1947) from the University of Illinois.
  • Carl Marvel (1894-1988) "for leading us into the Polymer Age through his researches on polymers, including synthetic rubber; for helping us into the Space Age through his development of thermally stable polymers; for his many services to the chemical profession; and for educating and inspiring three generations of chemists."
  • Nathan Newmark (see listing under faculty section)
  • Allan Sandage (1926- ) received the National Medal of Science in 1970 "for bringing the very limits of the universe within the reach of man’s awareness and unraveling the evolution of stars and galaxies—their origins and ages, distances and destinies."
  • J. Robert Schrieffer (1931– ) was awarded the 1983 National Medal of Science in recognition of his insight into cooperative effects in solids and solid surfaces dependent on interacting many-body systems and for his leadership in showing how one couples formal theoretical work with experimental findings to make significant advances in the area of condensed matter physics.
  • Phillip A. Sharp (1944– ) was awarded the 2004 National Medal of Science "for his contributions to understanding the biochemical pathway of RNA interference phenomena and for his use of RNA interference techniques to perform genetic analyses in mammalian cells."
  • John H. Sinfelt (1931- ) received the National Medal of Science in 1979 for his scientific research on the nature of heterogeneous catalysis leading to the development of new catalyst systems for the production of low lead gasoline.
  • Sewall Wright (1889-1988) received the National Medal of Science in 1966 "for original and sustained contributions to the mathematical foundations of the theory of evolution and for basic contributions to experimental and biometrical genetics."
  • Rosalyn Sussman Yalow (1921– ) received the National Medal of Science in 1988 "for her historic contributions to the discovery and development of radioimmunassay, a technique that employs radioactive isotopes to detect and measure the levels of insulin and hormones in the blood and body tissues."

University of Illinois Faculty

  • Roger Adams (1889-1971) received the National Medal of Science in 1964 for "superb contributions [to chemistry] as a scientist, teacher and imaginative leader in furthering the constructive interaction of academic and industrial scientists."
  • John Bardeen (1908-1991) received the National Medal of Science in 1965 for research on semiconductors and the invention of the transistor at Bell Labs. Bardeen served on the University’s faculty from 1951 until his death in 1991.
  • May Berenbaum (1953- ) received the National Medal of Science in 2014 “for her work which has fundamentally changed what we know, how we study and how the public understands the role of insects in nearly every aspect of human life and development.”
  • David Blackwell (1919-2010) received the National Medal of Science posthumously in 2014 “for his fundamental contributions to many fields in mathematics, including statistics, sequential analysis, and game theory.”
  • Joseph L. Doob (1910-2004) received the National Medal of Science in 1979 "In recognition of his work on probability and mathematical statistics, characterized by novel and fruitful ideas of a general character that opened new fields of study which began to be transplanted abroad and now are acclaimed worldwide."
  • Harry George Drickamer (1918-2002) received the National Medal of Science in 1989 for "his discovery of the pressure tuning of electronic energy levels as a way to obtain new and unique information on the electronic structure of solids."
  • Herbert S. Gutowsky (1919-2000) received the National Medal of Science in 1976 "In recognition of pioneering studies in the field of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy."
  • Nick Holonyak, Jr. (1928- ) was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1990 for his contributions as one of the nation’s most prolific inventors in the area of semiconductor materials and devices, and for his role as research mentor while working at the forefront of solid-state science and technology.
  • Paul Lauterbur (1929–2007) was awarded the 1987 National Medal of Science for first proposing and demonstrating the use of nuclear magnetic resonance to form images. He was also recognized for his continuing contributions to the development of this method for safely producing exquisitely detailed images of the interior of the body for use in medical research and clinical diagnosis.
  • Nathan Newmark (1910-1981) received the National Medal of Science in 1968 "for contributions to the development of powerful and widely used methods for analyzing complex structural components and assemblies under a variety of conditions of loading."
  • Ralph Brazelton Peck (1912-2008) was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1974 "for his development of the science and art of subsurface engineering, combining the contributions of the sciences of geology and soil mechanics with the practical art of foundation design."
  • William C. Rose (1887-1985) received the National Medal of Science in 1966 "for the discovery of the essential amino acid threonine and for the subsequent brilliant studies elucidating the qualitative and quantitative amino acid requirements of man and of animals."
  • Charles P. Slichter (1924-2018) received the 2007 National Medal of Science for establishing nuclear magnetic resonance as a powerful tool to reveal the fundamental properties of molecules, liquids and solids, enabling the development of numerous modern technologies.
  • Carl R. Woese (1928- ) received the 2000 National Medal of Science for "his brilliant and original insights, through molecular studies of RNA sequences, to explore the history of life on Earth. His vision has revolutionized our view of life’s evolution and diversity."

University High School Alumni

  • Anderson, Philip (see listing under faculty section)

Source: University of Illinois Public Affairs and www.nsf.gov/od/nms/medal.jsp

[Back to top]

Oscars

  • Patrick Jeffries (2008)
  • Chris Landreth (2004)
  • Ang Lee (2000, 2005, 2012)
  • William Pereira (1942)

Source: https://www.oscars.org

[Back to top]

MacArthur Genius Awards

University of Illinois Alumni

  • Bruce G. Blair, foreign policy analyst, 1999
  • Mari Jo Buhle, American historian, 1991
  • Sidney Drell, Physicist and Arms Policy Analyst, 1984
  • Kevin Eggan, Developmental Biologist, 2006
  • Jeanne Gang, architect, 2011
  • Mark Hersam, materials scientist, 2014
  • Albert J. Libchaber, physicist, 1986
  • Norman Pace, biochemist, 2001
  • Richard Powers, Novelist, 1989
  • Juan Salgado, community leader, 2015
  • Richard P. Turco, atmospheric scientist, 1986
  • Gary Urton, Anthropologist, 2000
  • Eddie Williams, policy analyst and civil rights leader, 1988
  • I. Garth Youngberg, agriculturalist, 1988

University of Illinois Faculty

  • Tami Bond, civil and environmental engineering, 2014
  • Susan Kieffer, Geologist and Planetary Scientist, 1995
  • Todd Martinez, Chemist, 2005
  • Richard Powers (see listing under faculty section)
  • John Rogers, Materials Engineer, 2009
  • Carl R. Woese, Molecular Biologist, 1984
  • Stephen Wolfram, Computer Scientist and Physicist, 1981

Source: University of Illinois Public Affairs and www.macfound.org

[Back to top]

Pulitzer Prize Winners

University of Illinois Alumni

  • Barry Bearak (1949– ) received the 2002 Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting for his coverage of daily life in war-ravaged Afghanistan. Bearak pursued graduate studies in journalism at the University of Illinois and earned his Master of Science in 1974.
  • Michael Colgrass (1932– ) won the 1978 Pulitzer Prize in Music for his piece, Deja Vu for Percussion Quartet and Orchestra, which was commissioned and premiered by the New York Philharmonic. He received his University of Illinois Bachelor of Music degree in 1956.
  • George Crumb (1929– ) received the 1968 Pulitzer Prize in Music for Echoes of Time and the River, commissioned to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the University of Chicago. Crumb received his University of Illinois Master of Music degree in 1952.
  • David Herbert Donald (1920–2009) twice won the Pulitzer Prize in Biography: in 1961 for Charles Sumner and the Coming of the Civil War and in 1988 for Look Homeward: A Life of Thomas Wolfe. Donald pursued graduate studies in history at the University of Illinois, receiving a Master of Arts in 1942 and a Ph.D. in 1946.
  • Roger Ebert (1942–2013) won the first-ever Pulitzer Prize in Criticism in 1975 for his work as film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. Ebert graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in 1964. He is also a native of Urbana and graduate of Urbana High School.
  • Roy J. Harris (1902–1980) shared the 1950 Pulitzer Prize in Public Service with fellow University of Illinois alumnus George Thiem. Their work exposed the presence of 37 Illinois newspapermen on an Illinois state payroll. Harris received a University of Illinois Bachelor of Arts in 1925.
  • Beth Henley (1952– ) won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize in Drama for her play Crimes of the Heart. Henley pursued graduate studies in theatre at the University of Illinois in the 1970s.
  • Hugh F. Hough (1924–1986) shared the 1974 Pulitzer Prize for Local General Spot News Reporting with fellow University of Illinois alumnus Arthur M. Petacque for uncovering new evidence that led to the reopening of efforts to solve the 1966 murder case of Illinois Sen. Charles Percy’s daughter. Hough received a University of Illinois Bachelor of Science in 1951.
  • Paul Ingrassia (1950– ) shared the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Beat Reporting for coverage of management turmoil at General Motors Corp. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University in 1972.
  • Monroe Karmin (1929–1999) shared the 1967 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for his part in exposing the connection between U.S. crime and gambling in the Bahamas. Karmin received a University of Illinois Bachelor of Science in 1950.
  • John J. Kim (1974– ) shared the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting (Chicago Sun-Times) for his photography in an immersive documentation of violence in Chicago neighborhoods, probing the lives of victims, criminals, and detectives as a widespread code of silence impedes solutions. He earned a Bachelor of Science in advertising from the U. of I. in 1997.
  • Nathaniel Lash (1992– ) was the data reporter with the Tampa Bay Times team that received a 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting for its series on the Pinellas County Schools. Lash earned his journalism degree in 2014.
  • Leonora LaPeter Anton (1964– ) received a 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting as part of a team with the Tampa Bay Times that reported on conditions in Florida's state-funded mental hospitals. Anton earned a 1986 degree in journalism.
  • Allan Nevins (1890–1971) received the Pulitzer Prize in Biography twice: in 1933 for Grover Cleveland and in 1937 for Hamilton Fish. Nevins earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1912 and his Master of Arts in 1913, both from the University of Illinois.
  • Arthur M. Petacque (1924–2001) shared the 1974 Pulitzer Prize for Local General Spot News Reporting with fellow University of Illinois alumnus Hugh Hough. Their work in uncovering new evidence led to a reopening the 1966 murder case of Valerie Percy. Petacque attended the University of Illinois in the 1940s.
  • James B. Reston (1909–1995) received the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 1945 and 1957 as a reporter for the New York Times. He earned a Bachelor of Science in 1932.
  • Robert Lewis Taylor (1910–1998) won the 1959 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for his book The Travails of Jaimie McPheeters. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University in 1933.
  • George Thiem (1897–1987) shared the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service with fellow University of Illinois alumnus Roy J. Harris for his part in exposing the presence of 37 Illinois newspapermen on an Illinois state payroll. Thiem earned a University of Illinois Bachelor of Science in 1921.
  • Carl Van Doren (1885–1950) won the 1939 Pulitzer Prize in Biography for his book Benjamin Franklin. He graduated from the University in 1907 with a Bachelor of Arts.
  • Mark Van Doren (1894–1973) received the 1940 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for his work Collected Poems, 1922–1938. He received a University of Illinois Bachelor of Arts in 1914.
  • Mark Van Doren (1894–1973) received the 1940 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for his work Collected Poems, 1922–1938. He received a University of Illinois Bachelor of Arts in 1914.
  • Julie Westfall (1980- ) shared in 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting with staff of the Los Angeles Times for coverage of the San Bernadino terrorist attack. Westfall is a 2002 journalism graduate.
  • Abe Zaidan (1949- ) shared the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting as a member of the staff of the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal. The paper was honored for its coverage of the Kent State University tragedy on May 4, 1970. He earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the U. of I. in 1953.

University of Illinois Faculty

  • Bill Gaines (1933– ) shared in two Pulitzer Prizes in Investigative Reporting (1976 and 1988). Gaines joined the University of Illinois faculty in 2001 as the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Chair in Investigative and Enterprise Journalism (now emeritus).
  • Leon Dash (1944– ) shared the 1995 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Journalism for his work on a family’s struggle with poverty, illiteracy, crime, and drug abuse in Washington, D.C. Dash became a University of Illinois faculty member in 1998 and is a Swanlund Chair and professor of journalism and Afro-American Studies.

University High School Graduate

  • George F. Will (1941– ) won the 1977 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his work as a syndicated columnist. He graduated from University High School in 1958.

Source: http://Illinois.edu/about/awards.html

[Back to top]

Grammy Awards

  • Archeophone Records, Meagan Hennessey and Richard Martin (2006)
  • Ciaran Brennan (1998)
  • Dee Dee Bridgewater (1997, 2010)
  • René Clausen (2012)
  • George H. Crumb (2000)
  • Nathan Gunn (2010)
  • Jerry Hadley (1991, 1994, 2003)
  • Lawrence Hobgood (2009)
  • Alison Krauss & Union Station (28 awards between 1990 and 2013)
  • Craig Hella Johnson (2014)
  • Pacifica Quartet (2009)
  • Michael Patterson (1990)
  • John W. Schlitt (1990, 1992, 1994, 2000)
  • William Warfield (1984)

Source: www.grammy.com

[Back to top]

Tony Awards

  • Dee Dee Bridgewater (1975)
  • Kathleen Conlin (2000)
  • Robert Falls (1992, 1999)
  • Kevin Stites (2003)
  • Dan Sullivan (2001)
  • Lynne Thigpen (1997)
  • Jerry Turner (1983)

Source: https://faa.illinois.edu/alumni-friends/acclaimed-alumni and tonyawards.com

[Back to top]

Emmy Awards

  • Barbara Bain (1967, 1968, 1969)
  • Donald Bitzer (2002)
  • Michael Colgrass (1982)
  • Stewart K. Dan (1994, 1998)
  • Leon Dash (1996)
  • Larry Doyle (2000, 2001)
  • Bob Epstein (4 awards between 1995-2004)
  • Janice Ferri Esser (2006)
  • Bill Geist (1992, 2005)
  • Nancy Lee Grahn (1989)
  • Chris Graves (2007)
  • Walt Harrington (2007)
  • Timothy Hartin (1999)
  • Ward Holmquist (1988)
  • Rick Kaplan (34 awards)
  • Suze Orman (2004, 2006)
  • Kara Corso Pothier (2007)
  • Shatterglass Studios (2013)
  • H. Gene Slottow (2002)
  • Roger E. Young (1996)
  • Tom Vodick (7 awards between 1993-2004)
  • Alison Davis Wood (1999)
  • WILL-TV/Jerry Hadley (2003)
  • Robert Willson (2002)

Source: www.illinois.edu and www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners

[Back to top]

Green City

  • Champaign-Urbana was named among the country’s 10 Best Green Cities by CountryHome magazine
    (2007; www.countryhome.com).
  • The Sierra Club named the University of Illinois number 52 on its Cool Schools Sustainability rankings.
    www.sierraclub.org
  • Urbana named a Green Power Community in 2016 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency: www.urbanaillinois.us

[Back to top]

Tech City

  • Champaign-Urbana was named among the world’s 10 “Hottest Tech Cities” by Newsweek magazine (November 1998).
  • Techie.com has deemed Champaign-Urbana a Top Ten Tech Hub.
    techie.com
  • Additional community rankings: www.yourewelcomecu.com/resources/rankings

[Back to top]

Video Credits

  • Concept: Mike Ross 
  • Copywriting: Rebecca McBride 
  • Motion Graphics/Design: Vanessa Burgett 
  • Photography: Val Oliveiro 
  • Sound Design: Jon Schoenoff

[Back to top]