istinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award was established in 1972 to recognize alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the University of Illinois who have consistently demonstrated extraordinary commitment, dedication and service for the advancement of the institution. The first year of the award at UIS was 2004.

2007 Recipient

Karen Hasara ’72 EHS, MA ’92 PAA
Mayor of Springfield and state legislator (retired)

Karen Hasara, a 1996 recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award, has always been at the forefront of lending her leadership, talents and influence to support UIS. She prides herself on being the “second person through the door of this university” and a member of the first graduating class. Karen has been, and continues to be, a respected friend and supporter of the Chancellors at UIS, and is always willing to serve as a sounding board and provide advice.

Karen has served on the Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board, served several terms on the Community Advisory Board for NPR affiliate WUIS, is a founding member of the Alumni SAGE Society and has been a presenter and moderator at the Taste of UIS luncheon series. In addition, Karen has been a generous donor and has assisted the Office of Development in opening doors to potential friends and other donors.

Locally, Karen is involved with groups such as the World Affairs Council, the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, Rotary Club of Springfield and Sangamon County Community Foundation. At the national level, she is secretary of the board for the new U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy.

Through an organization called Serendipity, Karen works to develop American delegations each year that travel to Vladimir, Russia, to help that city in its efforts to develop tourism, an important source of income for the region.

Previous Recipients

2006
Cullom Davis MA '61 LAS, PHD '69 LAS

2005
Mary Rechner '98 CBM

2004
Pamela L. McClelland '90, MA '95 CBM