Celebration of Philanthropy

The University of Illinois Springfield and the University of Illinois Foundation host an annual Celebration of Philanthropy event to celebrate individuals who make a difference through philanthropic support. Each year the William E. Winter Award for Outstanding Advocate Leadership is given to recognize individuals outside the university structure who play active roles in securing private support.

William E. Winter Award for Outstanding Advocate Leadership

This award recognizes individuals outside of the University structure who play active roles in securing private support for the University of Illinois. William E. Winter, who passed away in 2016, became a director of the University of Illinois Foundation in 1984. His service to the Foundation included heading up the volunteer component of the University’s first major campaign in the early 1980s.

Winter earned an A.B. degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1942. In April 1946, he went to work for the St. Louis, Missouri-based 7Up® Company and rose to become chief executive and chairman. His career in the soft drink industry spanned 55 years.


2024 Celebration of Philanthropy

The 2024 Celebration of Philanthropy was held on May 1, 2024 in the Student Union Ballroom.

Richard and Hannah McDaniel were presented with the 2024 William E. Winter Award.

Three people smile for a photo while sitting at a table
A group of people pose for a picture in a hallway, one of them holding an award
a man walks to a podium while a crowd gives him a standing ovation

View the full Celebration of Philanthropy program from the event

Previous William E. Winter Award Recipients

2023
Saul J. Morse
'69 LAS, JD '72

2022
Karen Hasara
'72 LAS, MA '92 PAA, HON '19

2021
Mark & Julie Staley

2019
Larry Shiner
Professor Emeritus

2018
David Farrell

2017
Paul O'Shea
'61 FAA

2016
W. Robert Felker
'74 PAA

2015
Pam McClelland
'90 CBM, MA '95 CBM

2014
Cullom Davis
Professor Emeritus

2012
Bob Clary
MBA '85 CBM

2011
Leonard Branson
Professor Emeritus

2010
Thom Serafin
'73 LAS, MA '98 PAA

2008
Tom Marantz

2007
Julie Kellner
'86 CBM

2006
Guerry L. & Michelle M. Suggs

2005
Howard C. Humphrey

2004
James Lundquist

2001
Clifford L. Greenwalt
MBA '77 CBM