Foundation Awards
Outstanding Philanthropist
Since its inception in 1953, the Eastern Illinois University Foundation has been dependent upon the generosity of its members and volunteers to fulfill its mission of supporting the university. And, since 1993, the foundation has formally presented the Outstanding Philanthropist Award. In 1997, this award was renamed the Burnham and Nancy Neal Philanthropy Award in appreciation of the Neals' leadership, support, and dedication to Eastern and the foundation.
The award is given to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a sincere dedication and commitment to the financial, academic, and cultural well-being of EIU. The critical support and sustaining financial commitments provided by these distinguished philanthropists are essential to the future of the university and the students it serves.
2025 Recipients
Carol Hamand Stephens
Carol Hamand Stephens
Carol grew up in Charleston, Illinois. She earned a bachelor's and master's degree in English from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Carol built a distinguished career in regulatory and project management at Eli Lilly and Company, supporting collaborative initiatives that advanced the development of new medicines and patient care. Throughout her career, she demonstrated a commitment to innovation, partnership, and improved health outcomes.
Carol has extended that commitment to higher education through her generous philanthropy at Eastern Illinois University. In honor of the legacy of her father, Dr. Lavern Hamand, EIU's first Dean of the Graduate School, she established two endowed funds that strengthen graduate education and recognize academic excellence: the Hamand Society of Graduate Scholars Fund, which recognizes outstanding degree-seeking graduate students nominated from the current year's class of Distinguished Graduate Students, and the Hamand Fund for Innovation in Graduate Studies, which supports graduate faculty leaders who play a vital role in advancing the University's graduate programs.
Through her thoughtful generosity, Carol has created a lasting legacy that honors Dr. Hamand's vision while inspiring excellence among graduate faculty and students for generations to come.
Kim Tran '75
Kim Tran graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Business before earning an MBA from Columbia University. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held several executive leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer for the American Osteopathic Association, Goodwill Industries International, and Inteleos, a medical diagnostic and sonography testing organization. Her extensive experience in financial management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership has made her a respected leader in the healthcare and nonprofit sectors. She is now mostly retired and occasionally works as a freelance consultant specializing in finance projects.
Kim came to the United States from Vietnam in the early 1970s, arriving at EIU just ahead of the 1972 winter quarter with limited English proficiency. She graduated Cum Laude in May 1975 after two and a half years of hard work. “The student scholarship I received at EIU allowed me to concentrate on my studies instead of worrying whether my parents would be able to send quarterly tuition payments,” Kim recalls. “While I went on to earn an Ivy League MBA, the skills I learned in the undergraduate classrooms at EIU were just as valuable to me — if not more.”
Kim credits EIU's tight-knit international student community and faculty, including programmer Carlene Pennel and foreign student advisor Mr. Filskow, with helping her navigate college life far from home. “It was then that I realized the uniqueness of Eastern, where professors cared and listened,” she says.
It all started with a scholarship, and today Kim has funded the Kim Tran Scholarship for International Students to support an international student attending EIU who may be facing similar hardships. “Study hard, remember what you are here for,” Kim shares. “And above all, remember the folks back home who sacrificed so that you could be here. They are waiting to be just as proud of your accomplishments as you are.”
Sherry White '74, '75
Sherry White began her career as a Speech and Language Pathologist with the Centralia, Illinois, Kaskaskia Special Education District, where she served from 1975 through August 1990, followed by twenty-two years as a speech pathologist for the Carlyle Community Unit School District. During this thirty-seven-year career, she provided comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic services for children with speech and language disorders, working closely with fellow educators, families, and multidisciplinary teams to develop individual intervention plans that helped her students strengthen their communication skills and achieve greater academic success.
Throughout her career, Sherry demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the lives of individuals with communication disorders, a passion that now continues through her philanthropy at Eastern Illinois University.
In recognition of the transformative impact that speech-language pathologists have on individuals and families, Sherry has made a significant philanthropic investment in EIU's School of Communication Disorders and Sciences. Her generous support has enhanced the Speech Pathology program by improving clinical testing, expanding student learning opportunities, and strengthening services for individuals receiving care through the program.
Beyond her financial contributions, Sherry remains actively engaged in supporting the School of Communication Disorders and Sciences, playing an integral role in enhancing the department's clinical spaces and expanding its capacity to serve clients and prepare the next generation of speech-language pathologists.
Joe Gardella '89
Joe Gardella is the Chief Executive Officer of Sweetener Supply Corporation, a family-owned business founded by his father and a close friend in 1990. Under Joe's leadership, the company has experienced significant organic and geographic growth, becoming one of North America's premier food ingredient suppliers. He is also the founder and managing partner of Spyglass Properties LLC.
A dedicated alumnus and visionary philanthropist, Joe has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to Eastern Illinois University through transformational investments that enhance opportunities for students and strengthen the campus community. In 2024, he established Sonny's Scholarship in honor of his late father, creating a full-tuition MBA scholarship for a student in the Lumpkin College of Business who is actively involved in Greek Life.
Joe's passion for Panther Athletics has inspired one of the most significant athletic facility gifts in recent university history: a leadership gift funding the renovation and modernization of the McAfee Gymnasium into a premier volleyball-centered arena. He has also pledged further support to improve athletic travel amenities, team travel, and the overall student-athlete experience.
Beyond campus, Joe continues to invest in the Charleston community. Through Spyglass Properties, he has purchased and renovated local properties, including University Village, and has played a leading role in re-establishing a permanent home for EIU's Sigma Pi fraternity chapter.
Joe's family shares his deep connection to Eastern Illinois University: his daughter Paige joined the EIU family as an MBA student and graduate assistant coach for the Panther volleyball program, while her twin sister Jessica joined Spyglass Properties LLC. When not working, Joe enjoys golfing, boating, and spending time with his wife, Leta, and their family.
