Education Awards, 2025-2026

Departmental Named Awards Departmental Named Awards are special awards created by departments to recognize students' specific achievements. Each award has its own criteria and significance, as explained below, and students are chosen by departmental faculty.

The Alice Smith Memorial Award is presented to an undergraduate or graduate student in the Department of Educational Studies and Recreation. This scholarship award is named for Alice Smith, a Chicago Board of Education Supervisor, and established to honor students in Health Education, Physical Education and Recreation who have demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding achievement in their student teaching/field experience or their current school/park employment and have shown future promise in research and practice.

Jamal Ibrahim

The DESR Chairperson’s Recreation, Sports Management and Therapeutic Recreation Scholarship Award
The DESR Chairperson’s Scholarship Award is presented to a superior student who has shown: high academic achievement, department involvement, professional statewide participation, and exhibits personal mindfulness, social action and cultural awareness of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.

Efrain Rivas

The DESR Chicago Park District (CPD) Recreation, Sports Management and Therapeutic Recreation Scholarship Award is presented to an undergraduate major or graduate student in the Recreation Program who has shown academic excellence, outstanding achievement and is currently employed in Recreation, Recreation Management and/or Therapeutic Recreation in the Chicago Park District.

Corey Finkley

The DESR Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Health Education and Physical Education Scholarship is presented to an undergraduate or graduate student in the Health Education or Physical Education Program who has shown academic excellence, outstanding achievement and is currently employed in the Chicago Public Schools.

Frankie Lee

The Lottie C. Patarini Scholarship Award is presented to an undergraduate major in the Department of Educational Studies and Recreation for academic achievement and leadership potential.

Victor Herrera

 

Departmental Honor & Merit Awards Departmental Merit and Honors Awards are presented to students chosen by each department in recognition of the students’ high academic achievement in their particular disciplines.