2021 Guests of Honor
Outstanding Young Alumna/us Awards
Reginald Thedford Jr. ’15
Reginald Thedford Jr. joined Stand Up America, an organization focused on increasing
voter participation in the United States, as their deputy political director in 2020.
Prior to this he served as vice president of content with Politiscope, an innovative
technology company formed to provide unbiased political information to its users,
where he was responsible for shaping political content for dissemination. A 2018 law
school graduate from the University of Wisconsin, Reginald was also the CEO and founder
of Law and Advocacy for Racial Justice in Madison, served as a legal intern for the
Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta and volunteered as a law clerk for Community
Justice, Inc. A current New York City resident, he was very active as a student while
at EIU, including serving as student body president.
Samantha Sauer ’11, ’13
Samantha Sauer ‘11, ‘13 is the curator of the Paul Findley Congressional Office Museum,
the archivist for the Khalaf Al Habtoor Archives, and an assistant professor of history
at Illinois College. She serves as the first professional in institutional history
to direct both the Archives and Museum, and also teaches courses as part of the public
history program. Her background includes serving as a museum educator for the Museum
of Discovery in Little Rock, AR, where she planned and implemented programs and connected
the museum’s natural and cultural history collections to hands-on STEM exhibits. Since
graduating Eastern, Sauer’s interdisciplinary work and research have been recognized
for innovation and best practices by organizations including the Illinois Association
of Museums, the Interfaith Youth Core, and the American Alliance of Museums. While
at EIU, she studied history, film, and historical administration.
Distinguished Educator Award
Todd J. Vilardo ’91,’96,’00
With service in all three Coles County school communities as a teacher, coach, athletic
director, assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent, Todd J. Vilardo
is currently responsible for leading Charleston CUSD #1 as its superintendent of schools.
Proud EIU Panther and Charleston resident since 1986, his wife and both children also
attended EIU. Influenced by the positive experiences he enjoyed while an EIU student,
Todd continues to give back to EIU’s extended school community through serving others.
His contributions include board membership for Coles Together, Coles County ClassE,
Coles County CASA, Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education, EIU College of Education
and Professional Studies Advisory, Business Solutions Center at EIU Advisory, Lambda
Chi Alpha Alumni Advisory, and the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a past
membership chair for the Illinois Principals Association, has served in officer roles
for Lambda Chi Alpha and the Charleston Masonic Lodge, and is currently the vice president
for the Charleston Rotary Club.
Louis V. Hencken Alumni Service Award
Krupal Swami ’95
An active supporter of EIU, Krupal Swami has served the university in a variety of
ways since earning her degrees in business education and administrative information
systems. Having held numerous leadership positions on the School of Business Advisory
Board, she has been a member of the group since 2014 and instrumental in several initiatives
of benefit to EIU students. In addition to supporting the university from a philanthropic
perspective, she has also utilized her influence in the technology industry to facilitate
connections supporting the university’s programs, students and faculty. The Bloomington
resident formerly served as a director in State Farms’ systems department before recently
founding her own company, Team SWAMI, to provide technology consulting services. She
is also active in a number of other organizations, including serving on the Leadership
Illinois and Carle Center for Philanthropy boards.
Distinguished Alumnus/a Awards
Cheryl Fraker ’85, ’86
Cheri Fraker is an internationally-recognized speech pathologist who leads the pediatric
feeding team at the Center for Selective Eating and Pediatric Feeding Disorders at
Memorial Medical Center and also a member of the SIU School of Medicine-Koke Mill
Medical Center Pediatric Swallowing Clinic in Springfield. Her innovative translations
of research to evidence-based clinical practice have substantially altered professional
practice in the field of speech language pathology and feeding and swallowing therapy.
She has also provided therapy services for Jasper County schools, Sangamon Area Special
Education District and St. John’s Children’s Hospital. A sought-after expert in her
field, she developed the techniques of pre-chaining and food chaining therapy and
she has presented her treatment approach at numerous medical conferences including
the UCLA MCH Nutrition Leadership Conference; the World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology,
Hepatology and Nutrition: and The American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental
Medicine. Cheri is a cancer survivor and has recently expanded her approach to treat
eating and swallowing disorders seen in adult cancer patients. Her contributions to
the field have led to better assessment and treatment approaches addressing swallowing
disorders, nutritional deficiencies and underlying health issues experienced by children
and adults around the world.
Dale Morrissey ’76, ’77
Dale Morrissey dedicated his career to improving the lives of children and adults
with developmental delays/disabilities, mental health issues and physical disabilities
enabling them to live rich and meaningful lives. He retired from Developmental Services
Center (DSC) in January 2021 after 41 years of service and was the chief executive
officer for 33 years. DSC employs 200 staff and has a $13 million operating budget.
Under his leadership the organization grew from serving 300 people annually to more
than 1,100 and he was regularly recognized by employees, the community, families,
and those he served as a tireless and humble leader. In 2003-2004, Dale developed
and implemented a plan for the creation of a developmental disabilities board in Champaign
County. The voters overwhelmingly approved the plan resulting in increased funding
of $4.5 million annually and expanded services to more than 800 individuals/families.
He also served on the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities board of directors
for 25 years and was chair in 2018-2019.
Jeff Rice ’86
Jeff Rice currently serves as chief financial officer for ABBM/Align Risk Solutions,
a Nashville-based group utilizing their experience in law, insurance and accounting
to assist clients with risk management needs. A certified public accountant with more
than 30 years of experience in senior management positions, he has worked in a broad
range of industries, including two startup tech companies, and was a Colonel in the
U.S. Air Force/Illinois Air National Guard where he served 39 years until his retirement
in 2020. During his military career, he deployed several times assisting the citizens
of Illinois and our nation during natural disasters including floods and hurricanes.
Jeff also served overseas during three wartime deployments – Operations Northern Watch,
Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He spent most of his career with the 183d Wing
in Springfield and has led at all levels of command including Joint Force Headquarters,
Wing, Group and Squadron. A member of Delta Chi fraternity, he began his accounting
career with KPMG.
Tony Romo ex ’03
One of the most decorated student-athletes in school history and the first EIU football
player to have his number retired, Tony Romo was a record-setting quarterback for
the Dallas Cowboys for 14 years before retiring from the sport following the 2016
season. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, his records for the Cowboys include passing
yards, passing touchdowns, most games with 300 passing yards and games with three-plus
touchdown passes. He also led his team to six playoff appearances while his 97.1 passer
rating remains the fourth-highest all-time among retired quarterbacks. Tony has enjoyed
significant success as a color commentator for CBS Sports, as well, including teaming
with Jim Nantz to call Super Bowls in 2019 and 2021. Since beginning his career in
the broadcast booth in 2017, he has received numerous accolades for his work, including
multiple Emmy nominations and being named Media Person of the Year by Sports Illustrated.