Alumni Awards and News

Home / Alumni / Alumni Awards and News

Alumni Get Involved Network Give Alumni Awards and News Contact Advancement Professional Credentials Merchandise

Alumni awards and news

Stay connected with the latest from Gies College of Business. Discover inspiring stories from our alumni community, celebrate those making a meaningful impact, and find out how you can stay engaged and informed.

Alumni awards

Gies Business and the Gies Business Alumni Association (GBAA) proudly recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions of our alumni and faculty. These awards celebrate those who exemplify excellence in their careers and communities.

Gies College of Business Awards

Gies Business has tens of thousands of exceptional alumni and friends who work every day to make the world a better place. The following awards are presented at the Spring Luncheon each year for outstanding career achievements and service to Gies Business.

Congratulations to our 2025 winners:

Doniel Sutton, ‘96 BS, '97 MBA - Distinguished Alumnus Award
Jean Regan, ‘76 - Gies College of Business Appreciation Award

View Previous Award Winners

GBAA Excellence-in-Teaching Award Recipients

Congratulations to the 2026 GBAA Excellence-in-Teaching Award Recipients:

Sandra Corredor - Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Xing Gao - Excellence in Graduate Teaching
Chengyuan (Nicko) Wei - Excellence in Teaching for Teaching Assistants

Receive the latest alumni news

Subscribe to our newsletters, update your contact information, and share your news to stay engaged with your alumni network.

Engage with Gies Newsletter

Access past issues of Engage with Gies, the college's monthly email newsletter.

Gies Quarterly Newsletter

A quarterly email newsletter that shares exciting news, updates, and exclusive content from Gies Business.

Campus Alumni Directory

The Online Alumni Directory provides Illini an easy way to make connections with fellow alumni worldwide. Use the Online Alumni Directory to reconnect with friends and former classmates, search for Illini near you, and expand your professional network.

Access the Alumni Directory

Update your contact information

Stay up-to-date on things Gies Business. Use this form to update your contact information, subscribe to our newsletters, or share important news.

Complete the form

Alumni in the News

Stay up-to-date with the remarkable achievements of our alumni. Discover the latest news featuring their successes and contributions. Want to see more? Browse all alumni news.

Apr 15

McDonald’s Turnaround Architect: Honoring the legacy of Accountancy alum Jim Cantalupo

Gies Business alumnus Jim Cantalupo came out of retirement to lead McDonald’s through a rapid and decisive turnaround by shifting the company’s focus from expansion to improving quality, operations, and customer experience. Decades after his death, he is leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to shape McDonald’s strategy and future leaders.

Accountancy Alumni

Apr 13

State honors Larry Gies for transformational leadership and public service

In addition to being the namesake of Gies College of Business, Larry Gies is the founder and CEO of Madison Industries, one of the largest and most successful privately held companies in the world.

Accountancy Alumni Business Administration Finance