Marshall Named IMSA President Emerita; Receives Local and National Honors
For comment, contact Brenda Buschbacher at (630) 907-5033
Although Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall will close her 20-year tenure as IMSA president on June 30, 2007, she is in no way "retiring" her efforts to position IMSA as the world's leading teaching and learning laboratory for imagination and inquiry.
On July 2, 2007, Marshall will assume her new role as "President Emerita" of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. This new honorary designation, announced on April 25 by the IMSA Board Trustees, will allow her to continue her work to advance and position the Academy as an unpaid volunteer
"As President Emerita, Dr. Marshall will connect, advance and position IMSA and our alumni, students and staff within her multiple state, national and international networks and connections, identify opportunities for creation of strategic partnerships, and promote entrepreneurial activities for IMSA and Illinois, to name a few examples," said Trustee John McEachern, Jr.
"To say that we would be well served if she continues to have a formal, recognized connection is a gross understatement. Stephanie's passion for our mission and work, her broad and deep networks and contacts, her knowledge and skill set, and her reputation 'out there' have been, are and can continue to be tremendous assets for us."
Marshall says she is "profoundly moved and deeply honored by the Board's decision" and looks forward to helping the IMSA community and her successor, Dr. Max McGee, position IMSA in the next decade.
In addition to being named President Emerita of IMSA, Marshall recently also was elected to the IMSA Fund Board of Directors. The IMSA Fund for Advancement of Education is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that accepts and distributes gifts and grants from the private sector to support IMSA's mission and work. These contributions support programs and services for IMSA students and staff, other Illinois students, educators in Illinois and beyond, activities for IMSA alumni and parents, and IMSA Fund operations including donor cultivation and recognition.
"I look forward to my role in helping forge and nurture strong public-private partnerships by serving as a member on the IMSA Fund Board of Directors," Marshall said. "Looking ahead to IMSA's next decade, building networks and strategic partnerships with prominent organizations in education, government and business is key to helping IMSA realize its mission and vision."
In addition, to honor Dr. Marshall's 20 years of stellar leadership as IMSA's founding President, the IMSA Fund Board of Directors has named the primary endowment fund the Stephanie Pace Marshall Endowment to Ignite Innovation.
The Marshall Endowment fund will provide annual support for IMSA to seed innovation, build strategic capacity and respond to significant unanticipated opportunities, as approved by the IMSA Fund Board.
Marshall Receives National Educator’s Award; Garners 4th Honorary Doctorate
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional honor society of women educators, has awarded Dr. Marshall with the 2007 Educator’s Award for her book, The Power to Transform: Leadership That Brings Learning and Schooling to Life.
The annual award "recognizes educational research and writing and honors women authors whose work shows potential for significant influence on education and society."
As a result of the award, Dr. Marshall's book will be featured at regional Delta Kappa Gamma conferences, international conventions and in society media.
On May 5, 2007, Dr. Marshall received her fourth honorary doctorate degree from Dominican University in River Forest, IL. during its 2007 graduate commencement ceremony, when she also served as one of its speakers.
Founded in 1901, Dominican University is a comprehensive, coeducational Catholic institution offering bachelor’s and master's degrees. In the 2007 issue of American's Best Colleges, U.S. News & World Report ranked Dominican in the top tier of Midwest master's level universities and as a "best value" for the ninth consecutive year.
Marshall previously has received honorary doctorate degrees from Aurora University in Aurora in Aurora, IL. North Central College in Naperville, IL. and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL.