IIT CREATES NEW POSITION TO HONOR GALVIN, PRITZKER, SELF
The contributions made by Chicago business and philanthropic giants Robert Galvin, Robert Pritzker and M.A. Self to Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) have been significant and legendary. To honor the commitment of these long-time university Trustees, IIT’s Board of Trustees will elevate them to a new position – Regent of the University. IIT’s creation of the Regent of the University position echoes moves made by other institutions to recognize outstanding contributions.
“The Board decided to establish this position to honor Trustees who have provided exceptional leadership and support to the university,” said IIT President Lew Collens.“ Because of their tremendous service to IIT, we wanted to ensure that they understood that their involvement with the university would always be welcomed. It’s a special way to honor these men and what they mean and will continue to mean to Illinois Institute of Technology.”
In addition to many other contributions, Galvin and Pritzker will be celebrated for their $120 million donation that, in 1996, was the largest charitable pledge to a single institution in the Chicago area and set the stage for IIT’s most successful and transforming capital campaign. Self is honored for his 25 years of work to establish leadership programs, transform the student learning experience and boost IIT’s academic standing.
Robert Galvin was elected to the IIT Board of Trustees in 1953 and served as its chairman in the 1980s. He supported IIT’s expansion to campuses throughout the Chicago area and helped shape major fund-raising campaigns over the past four decades. His vision and leadership led to the creation of the National Commission for IIT in the 1990s, resulting in the transformation of the university’s undergraduate programs, including the signature Interprofessional Projects Program, expansion of IIT’s international scope, quality improvements and re-commitment to IIT’s South Side campus and community.
As the Chief Executive Officer of Motorola, Galvin created one of the nation’s largest and most successful diversified electronics firms and has received many honors, including numerous honorary degrees, professional society awards and the National Medal of Technology in 1991. IIT awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1990.
Robert Pritzker has played a key role in shaping IIT’s future as chairman of the IIT Board of Trustees. He has been a trustee since 1962 and has participated in every major strategic planning committee and task force since the 1970s. He helped develop the Camras Scholars Program, provided the seed money to prove that IIT could attract the nation’s best young engineers to Chicago and endowed two important academic and research programs in Medical Engineering and Environmental Engineering. In his14 years as Chairman of the Board, IIT has increased student enrollment, enhanced its quality and reputation and enacted dramatic physical improvements.
Pritzker built the Marmon Group into one of the nation’s largest, privately held manufacturing conglomerates while giving generously of his time and resources to key civic organizations and national business associations. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from IIT. He has been honored with every IIT award in recognition of his service and accomplishments.
M.A. Self has served on the Board of Trustees since 1980 and was elected a life trustee in 1994. His engagement with university administration and faculty and his philanthropy led to the creation of the endowed IIT Leadership Program. This program, now embedded in undergraduate co-curricular activities and the source of scholarship funding for IIT’s best student leaders, helps recruit and retain some of the nation’s brightest young engineers and scientists. He also contributed to IIT through his leadership on the Lewis College Board of Overseers, the Corporate Relations Council, which brought industry support to IIT, and on leadership committees for two major campaigns.
Self enjoyed a successful career as the CEO of privately held manufacturing firms, where he demonstrated his leadership capabilities. He translated that leadership strength to organizations such as the Young President’s Organization, the Chief Executives Organization and national and state business associations.
Galvin, Pritzker and Self were celebrated for their contributions and formally elevated to University Regent at the Board of Trustees’ meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at The McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 3201 S. State St., Chicago.
Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting technological university awarding degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, as well as architecture, psychology, design, business and law. IIT’s interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum prepares the university’s 6,200 students for leadership roles in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse global workplace.
