Elmhurst University recently honored four alumni with two of the University’s most prestigious awards, the Founders Medal and the Alumni Merit Award, for their outstanding contributions to the University and the broader community.
The Founders Medal celebrates those who have distinguished themselves through philanthropic or personal service to the University. This year’s medal was awarded to alumnus David A. Juergens ’59, a retired librarian who has made his alma mater the focus of his generous philanthropic support for more than 65 years. Before retiring in 2012, Juergens worked for 44 years at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Rowland Medical Library. Since making his first gift to Elmhurst in 1959, the year he graduated with a degree in English, Juergens has given more than $1 million to the University, mostly in support of student scholarships. He also has designated his estate to Elmhurst, ensuring that students will benefit from his generosity for generations to come.
The Alumni Merit Awards celebrate Elmhurst graduates who have made significant contributions to the community and their alma mater. The recipients exemplify the long-term impact of an Elmhurst education, where personalized paths for development enable students to thrive as adaptive leaders throughout their careers and lives.
This year’s Distinguished Young Alumni award honors Juan Francisco Sandoval ’22, of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since graduating from Elmhurst with a bachelor of arts degree in political science, philosophy and urban studies, Sandoval has completed a master’s degree in public policy at the University of Michigan and is currently working on research initiatives with the Michigan Hispanic Collaborative, creating new programs for the Hispanic community in Detroit.
The Distinguished Service to Alma Mater award was given to Amanda Rodriguez ’20, MSN ’24, an infusion registered nurse at the Nancy W. Knowles Cancer Center at Elmhurst Hospital. While serving as an adjunct faculty member in the Diane Tyrrell Department of Nursing and Public Health, Rodriguez mentored students and also developed and implemented an internship for international nursing students, to expand their occupational learning opportunities.
The Distinguished Service to Society award honors Ellen Cleary ’91, who graduated from Elmhurst with a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Throughout her career, Cleary has demonstrated her dedication to the field of nursing through mentorship and leadership roles at a number of area hospitals, most recently as vice president of operations at Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital. She also has served in community leadership roles at the Huntley Chamber of Commerce, Huntley Business Expo, Champion Network LGBTQ+ Chapter and other organizations.
This year’s award winners were recognized at Elmhurst University’s annual Founders Recognition Evening on Oct. 2.