Literary giants, biotechnology pioneers, and a famous insect festival are among the latest additions to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Gallery of Excellence. Created in honor of the college’s 100-year anniversary, the virtual gallery features noteworthy people and ideas throughout LAS history, dating back to 1913.
The gallery now features almost 50 faculty, staff, alumni, places, and events that have inspired enduring and meaningful change to campus and society. With the college’s broad range of academic disciplines, the gallery lists breakthroughs in research, education, and understanding in fields from chemistry to classic literature.
The entries in the Gallery of Excellence have been selected by a college committee following a call for nominations within LAS. Those included in the exhibit are highlighted with photos and descriptions. The initial 25 entries were released in fall 2013. The expanded list of entries includes:
- Carol Lee, an educational scholar and co-founder of schools;
- Phillip Sharp, Nobel laureate and leader in biology and biotechnology;
- Robert Dietz, a pioneering researcher of ocean floors and meteorites;
- Molly Melching, noted for fighting a shocking custom in Africa;
- Howard Griffith, former star NFL player who has moved on to a broadcasting career;
- Thomas Siebel, a giant in the software industry and philanthropy;
- Maudelle Tanner Brown Bousfield, the first African American woman to graduate from Illinois;
- Edna Greene Medford, a preeminent scholar on slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation;
- Joseph Love, who positioned LAS as a leader in Brazilian studies;
- Henry Kahane, founder of the Department of Linguistics at Illinois;
- Ralph Wolfe, a pioneer in microbiology still researching in his 90s;
- Jesse Delia, former dean of LAS and renowned professor and administrator;
- Luis Leal, who brought overlooked literature to light;
- Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, renowned Chicano author;
- Lincoln Hall, symbolic of the University of Illinois’ commitment to higher education;
- Richard Powers, National Book Award-winning author of fiction;
- Richmond Lattimore, a prominent translator who converted ancient texts to English;
- Insect Fear Film Festival, led by May Berenbaum, a famous example of taking outreach to a whole new level by debunking myths about bugs in a creative fashion;
- Arnold Beckman, a philanthropist and maker of revolutionary scientific tools;
- Roger Adams, former head of the Department of Chemistry and one of U of I’s most influential campus figures;
- William Rutter, who has led the development of life-saving pharmaceuticals;
- Larry Faulkner, who led LAS and the University of Illinois through key changes in education and administration;
- R. Tom Zuidema, an anthropologist who brought new understanding to a lost empire;
- All members of the LAS staff, who are vital to the success of the college.
“This expansion of the Gallery of Excellence reflects the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ broad impact on society,” says LAS Interim Dean Brian Ross. “Indeed, no list could ever capture the full extent of great ideas and innovations that have emerged from LAS, but we hope that the Gallery of Excellence at least gives people a sense of all that our faculty, staff, and alumni have achieved in the past century.”
The Gallery of Excellence displays a partial list; more names will be announced during this milestone year.
