June 2018 ACES E-Alum Newsletter

Stuart Levenick was recognized as an ACES Career Achivement Award at the ACES in Places event at Research Park on June 4, 2018.  Stuart is an inagural winner of the ACES Career Achivement award, which was launched in 2017 and recognizes graduates from the College of ACES who have had exceptional professional achievement and/or made extraordinary humanitarian contributions. 

Stuart retired as a group president of Caterpillar Incorporated in 2015, after nearly 40 years with the company. His career took him around the globe to work in various management positions at Caterpillar’s offices in Canada, Singapore, Moscow, Japan, and Tokyo before he returned to Illinois to serve as one of the company’s five group presidents.

Levenick significantly impacted Caterpillar during his tenure, but his influence also extended beyond his role there. While working at Caterpillar, Levenick served on the executive board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as a director of the U.S. China Business Council and the U.S. Russian Business Council. He continues to serve on the boards of companies W.W. Grainger, Inc. Entergy Corporation and Finning International Inc. He and his wife, Nancy, also pursue several philanthropic endeavors.

Since his retirement, Levenick has become very engaged with the University of Illinois flagship campus. He is a member of the U of I Chancellor’s Strategic Advisory Board and the U of I Campaign Planning Committee. He is also a director of the University of Illinois Foundation. In 2014, the Levenicks contributed a major gift to the U of I’s Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment. The gift supports resident research fellows, teaching fellows, and scholars who research and teach about global sustainability.

“Stu and Nancy are very generous with their time, talents, and resources,” said Jeffrey Brawn, head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the U of I. “Stu Levenick has had an accomplished career and applies his experiences to benefit others.”

Congratulations Stuart Levenick!

A wonderful Illini evening was held on May 30, 2018 at GRO Horticulture for an ACES in Places event in Union, IL. 

Despite the rain, Greg Oltman, ACES alum, shared about his business GRO Horticulture Enterprises, Inc. The company began in 1985 specializing in large-tree planting and transplanting.  Today, 30 years later they have the largest fleet of tree-moving equipment in the Midwest.  Dinner and a program followed at the Pinecrest Golf Club.

View Photos from the event

On Monday, June 4, over 70 alumni and friends attended the ACES In Places event at Research Park at Granular's new facility. Granular is one of the first companies to apply Silicon Valley technology expertise to the agriculture industry, utilizing software and data science to transform farming, increase transparency, and enable new ways of doing business. 

A wonderful panel of agricultural companies shared why they chose Research Park for their company and the connections to the University of Illinois.
Panelists included:

• Granular – Madelyn Walters, B.S. '14, Product Manager
• Caterpillar - Scott Dixon, B.S. '04, M.S. '06, Info & Analysis Manager
• IntelinAir - Katie Hansen, Director of Sales & Partnerships
• AGCO/GSI - Lena Head, B.S. '13, Site Manager
• Agrible - Dr. Paul Miller, B.S. '97, M.S. '99, Founder and Chief Science Officer
• John Deere - Chad Yagow, B.S. '01, Manager, Agronomy Planning and Partnering

Since its doors first opened in 2001, Research Park has provided growth and development for the University in the form on research, outreach, and influential advances in technological fields. 

Stuart Levenick, Retired Group President of Caterpillar, received the ACES Career Achievement Award during the event.

Thank you to all who attended!

View Photos from the event

The University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences alumni bring honor to themselves and their alma mater through many ways. The ACES Alumni Association celebrates alumni who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement, or through outstanding leadership or service have significantly enhanced or improved the lives of others. Nominate an outstanding alumni today! Nominations are due October 15, 2018. A new online application is now available.

Learn More

The ACES Alumni Board is seeking three ACES Alumni Board positions on the ACES Alumni Board of Directors.

• Nominees must have received a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
• The Board of Directors meets four times per year on a week day. Most of the meetings are held on campus, unless otherwise decided by the executive board. 
• Board members are expected to serve on a committee(s) to further the mission of the ACES Alumni Board of Directors.  Standing committees are:  Nominating Committee, Alumni Engagement, Award & Recognition, Student Engagement, Fundraising and ACES Family Academies.  Additional committees are established on an as needed basis.  These committees meet via conference calls between board meetings.

Open positions include (click link to learn more):

District 1 Director

Nominees must have received a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The nomine must reside in one of the following counties: Carroll, DeKalb, JoDaviess, Kane, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago. 

District 3 Director

Nominees must have received a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The nomine must reside in one of the following counties Bureau, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Marshall, Mercer, McDonough, McLean, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, and Woodford. 

Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Vocational Director

Nominees must have received a degree in a course of study or shall have pursued a vocation or profession which involves the course of study within Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

The nominating committee requires the following information:

• A letter outlining why the alumnus or alumna wants to serve in this capacity and the skills or experiences that the alumnus or alumna will bring to the Board of Directors.
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• One letter of reference and two additional names which may be contacted.

More information can be found online about these positions: https://acesalumni.illinois.edu/about/board-directors

Applications can be submitted until Sepember 21, 2018 above to:
Tina Veal, Director of Alumni Relations
124 ACES Library, Information & Alumni Center
1101 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801

Over 1300 ACES graduates and their families attended the ACES Tassel Turn Reception at Memorial Stadium's Colonnades Club on Sunday, May 13. The ACES Alumni Association along with the ACES administrators, faculty and staff congratulated graduates and welcomed them to the ACES Alumni Association!

Students had the opportunity to have a green screen photo taken to cherish this special day, receive their first ACES Alumni t-shirt and visit the memorial stadium columns. A cake and punch reception was also available.

Congratulations to the ACES Graduates!

View photos online

Save the Date to Celebrate with us!

When:  Friday, September 28, 2018

Time:  8:30 a.m. - noon

Location:  ACES Library, Information & Alumni Center
1102 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL  61801

Questions? Contact the College of ACES Office of Advancement
acesadvancement@illinois.edu or 217-333-9355

Julie Wurth from the News Gazette talks with Kim Kidwell, dean of the UI College of ACES, about the new campus feed mill, what drew her back to the Midwest, a proposed ACES "corridor" and changes in store for the college and UI Extension.

Listen to the podcast

• Alexis Abbate, Animal Sciences from Beecher, IL
• Christy Allen, Agricultural Communications from Arthur, IL
• Cole Arnett, Crop Sciences from Hettick, IL
• Isabelle Ausdal, Agricultural & Consumer Economics from Milan, IL
• Kelly Aves, Crop Sciences from Kirkland, IL
• Brianna Baker, Food Science & Human Nutrition from Swansea, IL
• Kylie Bohman, Agricultural and Consumer Economics from Yorkville, IL
• Kara Brockamp, Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Morrisonville, IL
• Mikayla Busby, Agriculture Science Education from Monticello, IL
• Constance Chrones, Agricultural and Consumer Economics from Glenview, IL
• Alondra Estrada, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from Addison, IL
• Victoria Gomez, Animal Sciences from Oak Lawn, IL
• Vanessa Gould, Agricultural Science Education from Elburn, IL
• Sarah Graham, Animal Sciences from Wilmette, IL
• Carly Hopkins, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from Marion, IL
• Jordan Johns, Agricultural Sciences and Leadership Education from Pontiac, IL
• Andrew Johnson, Agricultural and Consumer Economics from Mahomet, IL
• Mary Marsh, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from Ames, IA
• Emily Martin, Agricultural and Consumer Economics from Mason City, IL
• Carley Meeks, Crop Sciences from Delray Beach, FL
• Abigail Mongan, Agricultural and Consumer Economics from Oregon, IL
• Jillian Monier, Crop Sciences from Sparland, IL
• Xavier Morgan, Agricultural Communications from Chicago, IL
• Juliette Nye, Animal Sciences from River Forest, IL
• Alyssa Pedersen, Agricultural and Consumer Economics from Chicago, IL
• Valerie Ramirez, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from Chicago, IL
• Rachel Recker, Agriculture Leadership Education from Venedy, IL
• Adam Rosentreter, Agricultural Science Education from Chesterfield, IL
• Hayley Schreiber-Deam, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from Winfield, IL
• Kristine Stewart, Crop Sciences from Yorkville, IL
• Eileen Urish, Agricultural and Consumer Economics from Kilbourne, IL
• Natalie Vujanov, Crop Sciences from Princeton, IL
• Gabrielle Walker, Food Science & Human Nutrition from Jacksonville, IL
• Trevor Wojtyla, Agricultural Communications from Naperville, IL

Save the Date for ACES Agronomy Day 2018!

Agronomy Day is a collaborative field day hosted by the Department of Crop Sciences in partnership with several academic units in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). From weed management to drone demonstrations Agronomy Day shares cutting-edge research with practical implications for your farm or business. CEU and CCA credits are available during tour stop

Date:  August 16, 2018

Time:  7am - 2pm

Where:  Crop Sciences Research and Education Center, 4202 South First Street, Savoy, IL  61874

Learn more

Were you a member of 4-H?  The University of Illinois Extension, Illinois 4-H, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation invite you to join the newly formed Illinois 4-H Alumni Association. A free life-time membership is available online @ go.illinois.edu/4Halumni. We hope your 4-H memories bring a smile to your face. We're creating memories daily with today's 4-H members.

Do you have an updated email address on file? Do you have an email you prefer to receive correspondence too? Did your email address recently change?

We want to stay connected to you!

All invitations to events and college updates will be sent via email only. Please update your email address to stay connected today!

With the rising cost of postal mail, email communication is a cost effective way for the ACES Alumni Association to stay connected and provide updates, event announcements and invitations to you as our alumni. Please feel free to share your email address with us by sending it to acesalumni@illinois.edu.

Online social networking is a great tool to stay in touch with alumni and friends from the College of ACES! We want to stay connected to you!  We post regular updates about activities, alumni profiles, on campus happenings, etc!  Stay connected with us!

ACES Alumni Association hosts the following groups online:

ACES Alumni Facebook - www.facebook.com/acesalum

College of ACES Facebook - www.facebook.com/UofICollegeofACES

Twitter - www.twitter.com/acesalumni

Linked In - go.illinois.edu/ACESAlumniLinkedIn  

YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/acesalumni

Flicker - www.flickr.com/photos/acesalumni/set

Instagram - www.instagram.com/acesalumni

Check out Class Notes online -

https://acesalumni.illinois.edu/news

Be sure to share any special times in your life with the ACES Alumni Association to keep your fellow alumni updated! Newly married? New job? Promotion? New book? New baby? We hope to hear from you.

Looking for an Illini Network? Join the University of Illinois Network! Stay up to date with the University of Illinois activities, events near you or join a local Illini Club!
The Illini opportunities await you! Get involved!

www.uialumninetwork.org/index.html

Many of our Departments in the College of ACES provide alumni newsletters online.

Please be sure to bookmark your department alumni connection:

• Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
• Department of Agricultural Communications at Illinois
• Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics
  •  Alumni Newsletter
• Agricultural Education
  • Alumni Newsletter & Alumni Profiles
• Department of Animal Sciences
• Department of Crop Sciences
• Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
• Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS)
• Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
• Division of Nutritional Sciences