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Outstanding Young Alumni Award

The Department of Technology proudly acknowledges our Outstanding Young Alumni. Each of these alums has garnered accolades for their significant career achievement during the first ten years since receiving a degree from Illinois State University's Department of Technology. It is with great pride that we honor an Outstanding Young Alum each year.

Sara Keene

 

2023 - Sara Keene '19

Sara graduated from the Department of Technology with a Bachelor’s in Renewable Energy in 2019. While she was a student, Sara was the president of the Student Election Commission,
participated in the Renewable Energy Society, was a Student Ambassador, and an Honors Student. Her previous jobs include working as the Instructor at Dreams Are Possible, a non-profit, empowering women with skills to break the cycle of generational poverty, and the position of a Project Manager for the Ecology Action Center, where Sara wrote a Community-wide Energy Plan to promote renewable energy and more sustainable energy-use practices. At the time of this award, Sara was a Launch Service Advisor for Rivian Automotive, in Normal, IL.

 

Previous Award Winners

  • 2022 - Drew McArdle '12
  • 2021 - Ron Rutkowski '13 and '15
  • 2019 - John Barber '09
  • 2018 - Michael Grady '15
  • 2017 - Tim Bassett '09
  • 2016 - Matt Scoville '07
  • 2015 - Cory Grant '11
  • 2014 - Chris Marx '02
  • 2013 - Shannon Fulton '11
  • 2012 - Michael Grammer '06
  • 2011 - Steve Parrott '95
  • 2010 - Shane Tredup '01
  • 2009 - Gavin Kalley '00
  • 2008 - Mark Hibner '96, '00
  • 2007 - Elizabeth (Betsy) Ivancsits '97
  • 2006 - Kyra Tillman '99
  • 2005 - Michal Cermak '92
  • 2004 - Brian Murphy '93
  • 2003 - Curtis Thomas '91
  • 2002 - Kirk O. Nash '87
  • 2001 - Paul Walker '90
  • 2000 - Bernard Pallardy '90
  • 1999 - Michael Shannon '88
  • 1998 - Michael Horst '95
  • 1997 - Todd Ballou '94
  • 1996 - Keith Hechtel '92