"In the University of Illinois, we have a great institution . . . we need to find ways to support it, both individually and collectively."

  — Dick Schonhoff, B.S. Finance `69

Al Wohlers with Barry Hastings

Esteemed alumni Al and Jane Wohlers were recently honored for their generosity to the College of Commerce and Business Administration, with a special breakfast fête at the headquarters of Northern Trust Bank in Chicago. Held on Wednesday, May 26, the gathering was organized by Dick Schonhoff (B.S. Finance '69), who is Northwest Region president and CEO for the bank, as well as a member of the Commerce Business Advisory Council. Also in attendance was Barry Hastings, president and chief operating officer of Northern Trust, and a long-time friend of the Wohlers. In recognition of their lifelong commitment and financial support of the University of Illinois, the company presented the couple with a handsome vase of Waterford crystal. In an emotional, impromptu acceptance speech, Al Wohlers spoke about growing up in the Depression and learning the importance of sharing. The Wohlers gave a $6 million gift to renovate Commerce West.

Recent Gifts and Bequests

• The Olin Corporation Charitable Trust has made a supplementary contribution of $5,000 to the endowment fund for the James F. Towey Professorship in Business Administration. The gift is made in memory of James Towey, Olin retired chairman and CEO, who died on March 15. 
• A major six-figure estate commitment by the late Kenneth P. Santee has created funds in the College of Commerce and Business Administration, and the College of Fine and Applied Arts. The bulk of the gift will establish the Kenneth P. Santee Graduate Fellowship Fund, which will provide financial aid for Commerce graduate students. Santee, a Commerce alumnus (1929) and co-founder of Stanwood Corporation in Chicago, died on May 20. (See In Memoriam, page 29.) The Bernice Adams Arment Memorial Scholarship in Piano Fund is named for Santee's late cousin, who studied piano and desired to assist students interested in the instrument.

St. Louis Accountancy Committee Honors Teaching Excellence

Theodore Sougiannis has been presented with the 1999 Excellence in Teaching Award, an honor given each spring by the St. Louis Accountancy Committee. Sougiannis, who is an associate professor of accountancy at CBA, received the award at the group's annual reception, held on Thursday, May 20, at the Noonday Club in downtown St. Louis. Hosted by committee chairman Tom Shepperd (B.S. Accountancy '64), retired partner in Deloitte & Touche, the reception drew more than fifty committee members and accountancy alums. Also present was Dean Howard Thomas, who, much to the pleasure of his audience, lauded the importance of private support from alumni and friends in helping the college's pursuit of excellence. The St. Louis Accountancy Committee annually raises funds to sponsor the reception and the Arch-shaped award, which carries a $1,000 stipend.

A native of Greece, Sougiannis holds a Ph.D. in business from the University of California at Berkeley, an MBA in finance and an M.A. in economics from York University in Toronto, and a B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Piraeus, Greece. Since joining the Commerce faculty in 1990, he has won praise and consistently high ratings for his teaching at all levels, from undergraduate and master's courses to Ph.D. seminars.

Alan Harkness (left) and Tom Shepperd (right), past and  current committee chairs, with Gene Willis, head of the  Department of Accountancy.

The following companies and alumni (whose degrees are in accountancy, unless otherwise noted) were donors to the St. Louis Accountancy Event Fund in FY98: Anders, Minkler & Diehl LLP James W. Anderson (BS `70, MAS* `71) Susan B. Byer (BS `88) Harvey Citerman (BS `68, MAS `70) Stephen M. Ditman (BS `80) Allan S. Epstein (BS `82, MAS `83) Robert C. Fietsam (BS `55) Lisa A. Flavin (BS `87) Joan W. Gleich (MAS `75) J. Alan Harkness (BS `65) Noel F. Knobloch (BS `68) KPMG Peat Marwick Foundation Lopata, Flegel, Hoffman & Company LLP Mallinckrodt Inc. Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation, Inc. R. Scott Moore (BS `88) Gary F. Mueller (BS `69) Robert O. Palmer (BS `54) Philip Morris Companies, Inc. Douglas J. Pitts (BS Agricultural Economics `80) Andrew E. Remack (BS `73, MAS `74) Patrick P. Rohrkaste (BS `80) Kenneth L. Rubin (BS `79) William N. Scheffel (BS `75) Thomas E. Shepperd (BS `64) Nathan M. Suddeth (BS `88) William E. Winter (LAS AB General Curriculum `42) *MAS = Master in Accounting Science

Annual Fund