Alumni Awards and News
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.
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.
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 2026 winners:
- Distinguished Alumnus Award - Donald J. Edwards, ‘88 FIN; Founder & Executive Chairman, Flexpoint Ford LLC
- Gies College of Business Alumni Impact Award - Jane Romweber Santogrossi, ‘75 ACCY; Partner, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (Retired)
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.
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.
New data shows high placement rates, salaries for Gies Business graduates
Apr 27, 2026
Gies Business graduates are seeing strong career outcomes with high salaries (around $81K average) and record signing bonuses. Their success is driven by hands-on learning, career support, and skills like AI fluency. Programs like real-world projects, internships, and study abroad help students build confidence and land roles across industries like finance, consulting, and tech.
PODCAST: Gies Business Dean Brooke Elliott
Apr 20, 2026
Nearly two years into her tenure as Gies Business Dean, Brooke Elliott shares her vision to dramatically increase the number of students who can benefit from a Gies education, driven by her belief in education’s power to change lives and create lasting impact.
Accountancy Alumni Business Administration Faculty Finance Podcasts Student
Edwards, Santogrossi honored with 2025 GBAA awards
Apr 17, 2026
Two Gies College of Business alumni have been honored by the Gies Business Alumni Association for their contributions to business and to the College.
McDonald’s Turnaround Architect: Honoring the legacy of Accountancy alum Jim Cantalupo
Apr 15, 2026
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.