Significant dates in IACAC history
The origin of the Illinois ACAC is found in the national organization which was founded as ACAC on March 23, 1937, in Oak Park, Illinois. A conference of 13 midwestern college admission “field workers” met on that date to discuss ethical issues in the profession.
Later that year, 18 midwestern colleges established the Association of College Representatives, which became ACAC in 1939. Other significant dates in IACAC history include:
1947 Eight state secretaries appointed to coordinate college days in eight states.
1955 Secondary school members added to the organization — with two of the first three National Board members being from Illinois.
1957 Constitution adopted to formalize Illinois ACAC.
1958 The first Directory of Illinois Admission Counselors produced.
1961 First Illinois ACAC Newsletter distributed to members.
1968 ACAC became NACAC with headquarters in Illinois.
1969 Illinois Statement of Practices and Courtesies adopted.
1970 First IACAC Summer Institute held at Millikin University.
1973 First National College Fair held in Chicago.
1977 First student Hotline sponsored by IACAC.
1980 Absentee voting approved.
1982 Produced video: “Financial Aid – The Myth and the Money.”
1985 Voting Rights for individuals approved.
1986 Name changed to parallel NACAC (dropped “s” in Admissions); first membership brochure produced; mentorship program established; independent counselors eligible for voting membership; Professional Education Director position added to the Board.
1987 IACAC incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation; National ACAC moved headquarters from Illinois to Alexandria, Virginia.
1987 Newcomer Recognition award was established.
1989 Site of NACAC PACT training workshop.
1991 Membership in IACAC exceeded 1,100.
1993 IACAC adopted regional structure; two Director of Professional Education positions created—one for Northern Region; one for Southern Region.
1996 Name changed to Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling.
1997 Recognition Award renamed in memory of Patricia A. Kasowski.
1997 IACAC granted 501(c)(3) (nonprofit) status by the IRS.
1998 IACAC site established on the World Wide Web.
1999 President’s Service Recognition Award established.
2002 Illinois College Exposition (ICE) programs established.
2004 Newcomer Award renamed in memory of James A. Alexander.
2006 Membership in IACAC exceeded 1,800.
2008 Project Reach established to assist a school with financial need.
2010 President’s Service Award renamed in memory of Molly K. Arnold.
2010 Inaugural Camp College held at Bradley University.
2011 First Middle Management Institute held at Elmhurst College.
2012 IACAC Scholarship established.
2013 Inaugural Young Men’s Conference.
2014 ICE Fairs renamed Illinois Regional College Fairs.
2015 Inclusion, Access and Success Service Award established.
Originally compiled by Gwen Kanelos with additional information provided by Donna Epton.
Founding Leaders
Robert Amaden
Lake Forest College
Florence Dooley
Lincoln College
Mildred Fox
Evanston Township High School
Louis Fritzmeier
Oak Park High School
William Gray
Millikin College
Spencer Lane
MacMurray College
Orville Nothdurft
Illinois Wesleyan College; Bradley University
William Reiley
Northwestern University
Marlowe Slater
Blackburn College
C. C. Taggart
Proviso Township High School
State Presidents
| 1958-59 | Floyd Thompson North Central College |
| 1959-60 | Helen Lowes Taft High School |
| 1960-61 | Tom Cromwell Bradley University |
| 1961-62 | Margaret Perry The University of Chicago |
| 1962-63 | Marilyn Blum Rockford College |
| 1963-64 | Enzo Giuntoli York High School |
| 1964-65 | Mary Cosner Blackburn College |
| 1965-66 | Harry Turnbull East Leyden High School |
| 1966-67 | Kenneth Epperson Western Illinois University |
| 1967-68 | R. A. Roberts Bloomington High School |
| 1968-69 | Jack Allen Millikin University |
| 1969-70 | Lawrence I. Hoff Hinsdale Central High School |
| 1970-71 | James Williams College of DuPage |
| 1971-72 | Ted Leitz Glenbard West High School |
| 1972-73 | Roger H. Campbell Northwestern University |
| 1973-74 | Nan Norris Deerfield High School |
| 1974-75 | James Ruoti Illinois Wesleyan University |
| 1975-76 | James Killam Maine Township High School West |
| 1976-77 | Robin Schroeder North Central College |
| 1977-78 | Kenneth Reese, Maine Township High School South |
| 1978-79 | Michael Dessimoz Elmhurst College |
| 1979-80 | Lois C. Mazzuca Rolling Meadows High School |
| 1980-81 | Tom Rich Illinois Benedictine College |
| 1981-82 | William R. Davis Project Upward Bound, Loyola University |
| 1982-83 | Robert A. Preloger Concordia College |
| 1983-84 | Jane Koten Glenbrook South High School |
| 1984-1985 | Chuck Beutel College of St. Francis |
| 1985-86 | Sam Perpitch Rolling Meadows High School |
| 1986-87 | Evelyn Burdick Triton College |
| 1987-88 | Regina Manley Chicago Public Schools |
| 1988-89 | Ellen J. Rostker Illinois Institute of Technology |
| 1989-90 | Dolores I. Forsyth Lyons Township High School |
| 1990-91 | Mary E. Hendry Saint Xavier College |
| 1991-92 | Susan K. Biemeret Adlai E. Stevenson High School |
| 1992-93 | Gwen E. Kanelos Triton College |
| 1993-94 | James J. Mohan Hinsdale Central High School |
| 1994-95 | Allen V. Lentino Northwestern University |
| 1995-96 | William E. Tracy The University of Chicago Laboratory High School |
| 1996-97 | Martha H. Moore University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| 1997-98 | Marybeth Kravets Deerfield High School |
| 1998-99 | Angela M. (Nickie) Roberson Bradley University |
| 1999-00 | Kathy Dingler Crete-Monee High School |
| 2000-01 | Irene Kovala College of DuPage |
| 2001-02 | Maryanne Kelly Maine Township High School South |
| 2002-03 | Gail Fuller Triton CollegeBruce Scher Barrington High School |
| 2003-04 | Bruce Scher Barrington High School |
| 2004-05 | Boyd Bradshaw Southern Illinois University Edwardsville |
| 2005-06 | Sandie Gilbert Highland Park High School |
| 2006-07 | Julie Nelson Bradley University |
| 2007-08 | David Boyle Glenbrook North High School |
| 2008-09 | Michele Brown Oakton Community College |
| 2009-10 | Marsha Hubbuch Riverside Brookfield High School |
| 2010-11 | Carin Smith Lawrence University |
| 2011-12 | Laura Docherty Fenwick High School |
| 2012-13 | Todd Burrell Southern Illinois University Edwardsville |
| 2013-14 | Mike Dunker Retired |
| 2014-15 | Anne Kremer DePaul University |
| 2015-16 | Beth Gilfillan Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart |
| 2016-17 | Michelle Rogers Saint Louis University |
| 2017-18 | Roberto Suarez Homewood-Flossmoor High School |
2018-2019 Patrick Walsh, Illinois State University
2019-2020 Amy Thompson, York Community High School
2020-2021 Megan O’Rourke, Providence College
2021-2022 Tony Minestra, DePaul College Prep