Emeriti and Ambassadors
IMSA faculty, staff, and Trustees are among the most passionate teachers, mentors, and proponents of STEM education in Illinois and beyond. In recognition of their commitment to IMSA and its students, the Board of Trustees may bestow Emerita/Emeritus or Ambassador status upon honorable retirement. IMSA Emerita/Emeritus and Ambassadors are essential members of the IMSA community who continue to play a significant role in expanding its mission.
Faculty and executive educational administrators who have made significant contributions during their tenure with IMSA, both as educators and advocates of the Academy and its mission to “ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition,” are honored with the Emerita/Emeritus designation. Their enthusiasm for education, the Academy, and STEM is often evident in their extracurricular activities supporting IMSA initiatives.
IMSA Emeriti
Trustee Emerita/Emeritus is a trustee who has shown consistent philanthropic support and worked tirelessly to guide and promote IMSA and its mission to advance the human condition over several Board terms. IMSA honors its contributions and direction by designating Trustee Emerita/Emeritus.
- Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall, Emerita, Awarded in 2007
- Dr. David Barr, Emeritus, Awarded in 2008
- Dr. David Workman, Emeritus, Awarded in 2008
- Ms. Susan Eddins, Emerita, Awarded in 2009
- Dr. Edwin Goebel, Emeritus, Awarded in 2009
- Dr. Richard Dods, Emeritus, Awarded in 2016
- Mr. Branson Lawrence, Emeritus, Awarded in 2016
- Mr. John (Jack) McEachern, Board of Trustees Emeritus, Awarded in 2016
- Dr. Christian Nøkkentved, Emeritus, Awarded in 2016
- Mr. James Pearson, Board of Trustees Chairman Emeritus, Awarded in 2016
- Ms. Willa Shultz, Emerita, Awarded in 2016
- Mr. John Stark, Emeritus, Awarded in 2016
- Dr. Steve Condie, Emeritus, Awarded in 2018
- Ms. Ruth Dover, Emerita, Awarded in 2018
- Dr. Donald Porzio, Emeritus, Awarded in 2018
- Mr. Richard Stalmack, Emeritus, Awarded in 2018
- Mr. Joseph Traina, Emeritus, Awarded in 2018
- Dr. José M. Torres, Emeritus, Awarded in 2021
- Dr. Sowmya Anjur, Emerita, Awarded in 2024
- Dr. David DeVol, Emeritus, Awarded in 2025
IMSA Ambassadors
Staff and administrators who have demonstrated a passion for STEM, education, and IMSA are recognized as Ambassadors.
- Ms. Catherine Veal, Ambassador, Awarded in 2015
- Ms. Paula Altekruse, Ambassador, Awarded in 2016
- Mr. James Bondi, Ambassador, Awarded in 2016
- Dr. Raymond Dagenais, Ambassador, Awarded in 2016
- Mr. James Gerry, Ambassador, Awarded in 2016
- Ms. Marti Guarin, Ambassador, Awarded in 2016
- Dr. Connie Hatcher, Ambassador, Awarded in 2016
- Ms. Deborah McGrath, Ambassador, Awarded in 2016
- Ms. Jane St. Pierre, Ambassador, Awarded in 2016
- Dr. LuAnn Smith, Ambassador, Awarded in 2016
- Mr. Keith McIntosh, Awarded in 2016
- Mr. Dale Arentsen, Ambassador, Awarded in 2018
- Dr. David Evenson, Ambassador, Awarded in 2018
- Ms. Rosemary Forni, Ambassador, Awarded in 2018
- Mrs. Phyllis Chesnut, Ambassador, Awarded in 2019
Honoring Dr. Leon Lederman
From the very beginning, Dr. Leon Lederman was IMSA’s biggest champion.
Similar to how a father feels for his own children, Dr. Lederman always had much love, affection and praise for IMSA, and high expectations for its faculty, staff, students and alumni.