New Trier Announces Recipients of 2012 Alumni Achievement Awards

Leaders in the fields of business, science, philanthropy, government, entertainment and the military are among the 10 honorees selected for the 2012 Alumni Achievement Awards and Hall of Honor.

Earlier:

The inductees, who will be honored at a dinner event March 15 at the Hilton in Evanston, are:

•  Michael Alter, Class of 1979. Alter founded the youth service organization City Year Chicago. He is also president of the commercial real estate firm The Alter Group and owner of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky.
• Ann-Margret, Class of 1959. Ann-Margret is a Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actress, singer and performer whose career spans five decades. In addition to her much-honored work in entertainment, she is also a longtime supporter of U.S veterans through her work with the USO.
• Rahm Emanuel, Class of 1977. Emanuel was elected Mayor of Chicago in 2011, after serving as chief of staff to President Barack Obama. He previously served three terms as the U.S. Representative for Illinois’ 5th District (Chicago) and was a senior adviser to President Bill Clinton.
• Alan Krensky, Class of 1969. Krensky is a leading pediatric nephrologist and cancer researcher who developed the Children’s Health Initiative at Stanford University. His research on human T lymphocytes has led to the development of therapies for immune-related diseases.
• Thomas Miller, Class of 1966. A former U.S. ambassador, Miller served in Bosnia/Herzegovina, Greece and Cyprus during a long diplomatic career. He is currently chairman of the International Commission on Missing Persons and president of the International Executive Service Corps, an international not-for-profit promoting stability through private enterprise.
• Martha Minow, Class of 1972. Minow is dean of the Harvard Law School and vice-chair of the Board of Legal Services Corporation, which provides legal assistance to low-income Americans. She helped start Imagine Co-existence, a UN program that promotes peaceful development in post-conflict societies, and is an expert on human rights advocacy.
• Michael S. Rogers, Class of 1977. Rogers was appointed in 2011 as Vice Admiral of the U.S. Navy and commander of the U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/commander, U.S. 10th Fleet. Rogers is an expert cryptologist who has served in a variety of top roles during a 30-year Navy career.
• James Sprayregen, Class of 1978. Sprayregen has been recognized as one of the world’s top restructuring attorneys. He is credited with  bringing major companies such as United Airlines and MEGA Brands through bankruptcy successfully.
• James Collins Warren, Class of 1942. Warren served as one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II and helped lead fellow African-American officers in an effort to integrate the armed forces. He earned numerous honors throughout a long military career.
• Edward Zwick, Class of 1970. Zwick is an Academy Award-winning producer, director, and writer known for his work on films with social messages. His film credits include Glory, Shakespeare in Love, Traffic and Blood Diamond.

This marks the second year of the New Trier Alumni Achievement Awards. In 2011, seven of the 10 honorees attended the dinner event and eight honorees came to New Trier to speak to students on both campuses about their careers and their memories of New Trier.

“We were touched and inspired by the response to last year’s inaugural events, and we are pleased to once again honor such an amazing and diverse group of alumni,” said District 203 Superintendent Linda Yonke.

The 2012 honorees were chosen from a field of about 130 nominations. A selection committee made of alumni, New Trier staff members, two current students and representatives of the New Trier Educational Foundation met several times to choose the 2012 honorees. Committee members made their selections based not just on the honorees’ career accomplishments, but also on their commitment to public service.

The New Trier Educational Foundation will host the March 15 awards dinner in coordination with the District. The Foundation provides private funding for exceptional educational opportunities that are not funded – or are funded only in part - by the District 203 budget, and has provided more than $330,000 in grants to New Trier since 2004.

“The Foundation is proud to continue its partnership with New Trier on this celebration of New Trier alumni,” said Educational Foundation Board Chair Harry J. Secaras. “The Foundation’s ability to support the New Trier faculty, staff and students depends on the support we receive from our alumni, and it is a privilege for us to help honor them through this event.”

Honorees who attend the dinner also will participate in student events at New Trier during the week of the awards ceremony. More information on the dinner, including how to reserve tickets, will be available by January at www.newtrieralumni.org.