Corporate, State leaders honored at
Economic Education Day luncheon
State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and long-time corporate contributors were honored at the Econ Illinois Economic Education Day awards luncheon on October 27 at the Union League Club of Chicago.
Treasurer Giannoulias received the Council’s Economics Ambassador Award, an honor given to public leaders for outstanding leadership for economic and financial literacy. (Shown with Econ Illinois president Joanne Dempsey, Governing Board Chair Joseph Guinan and Board of Trustees Chair Bill Testa.) Giannoulias was cited for his support of Econ Illinois’ Illinois Personal Finance Challenge; for his sponsorship of Smart Women, Smart Money program; Finance 101 seminars; online calculators and tips for consumers; and many other innovative programs that effectively span all ages in providing economics and financial education. In recognizing the Treasurer, Econ Illinois President Joanne Dempsey noted that “he has set an outstanding example for public officials in the campaign for economic literacy.”
Two firms were recognized for their long-time commitment and support for the Council’s work. Com Ed joined an elite group of companies that have provided financial support for Econ Illinois for 35 years. The recognition was received on behalf of Com Ed CEO and Econ Illinois Governing Board member Frank Clark by Calvin Butler, Sr. VP of Corporate Affairs.
The Chicago Tribune News in Education program received recognition for 15 years of partnership with Econ Illinois in making The Stock Market Game available to schools throughout the state. The Tribune has supported the SMG through financial assistance, promotion of the program with schools, and providing the newspaper (originally in print, now electronically) to all classrooms participating in the program. Akua Apea, Development Manager, accepted the award.
Two of the universities hosting Centers for Economic Education affiliated with Econ Illinois were also recognized at this luncheon event. The School of Business at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville was presented with a plaque for hosting a center for the past 38 years. The award was accepted by Dr. Gary Giamartino, Dean of the School of Business and member of the Econ Illinois Board of Trustees.
The Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago was recognized for having received the national Albert Beekhuis Award from the national Council for Economic Education. The Beekhuis Award is presented annually to a CEE affiliated Center for outstanding performance in working with teachers and exhibiting excellence in practice, delivery of high quality programs, and outreach to its community. The UIC Center received the Beekhuis Award at the annual conference of the economic education network in Washington, DC. Helen Roberts accepted the Econ Illinois recognition on behalf of the UIC Center for Economic Education. At right, Helen Roberts and Gary Giamartino receive their awards from Joanne Dempsey, Joseph Guinan and Bill Testa.
In addition to these civic, corporate and university awards, Econ Illinois honored twenty-five K-12 educators for excellence in economic education. For more information about those awards, see the article on the 2009 3M Economic Educator awards.