Notable Alumni of Millikin University: A Legacy of Achievement and Service

Millikin University, a private institution in Decatur, Illinois, has a long and storied history of producing accomplished graduates who have made significant contributions to their fields and communities. From its establishment in 1901 to the present day, Millikin has fostered an environment of excellence, nurturing talent and instilling a commitment to service in its students. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their diverse achievements and the lasting impact they have made.

A Tradition of Excellence: The Alumni Awards

Millikin University annually recognizes individuals who embody the university's tradition of excellence. These awards, presented during the fall Homecoming celebration, honor alumni for their outstanding achievements and contributions, bringing credit to themselves and Millikin University. The Alumni Awards program, established in 1951, has expanded to include multiple categories, recognizing alumni at different stages of their lives and careers.

Award Categories

Alumnus of the Year Award: The highest alumni honor, recognizing service to the university during the past year and continuous service throughout the years.
Merit-Loyalty Award: Recognizes individuals who have demonstrated great loyalty and dedication to Millikin and distinguished themselves in their profession or field of endeavor.
Merit Award: Recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in their profession or field of endeavor in such a way as to reflect credit upon themselves and Millikin. Outstanding community service is also a criterion for this award.
Loyalty Award: Recognizes long and faithful service to Millikin, the interests of the university, as well as outstanding community service.
Young Alumnus Award: Recognizes an alumnus/a 35 years of age or younger who has made notable achievements in a chosen field and/or given faithful service to Millikin.
Faculty/Staff Recognition Award: Recognizes a Millikin employee (past or present) who has demonstrated exceptional investment and care for the academic, professional and personal well-being of students and alumni.
Athletic Hall of Fame: Recognizes outstanding contributions to Millikin athletics.

Honorees at the Alumni Awards Dinner

At the 2025 Alumni Awards Dinner during the University’s 110th Homecoming, seven remarkable members of the Big Blue family were celebrated.

Charles “Chuck” Yurieci ’68: Alumnus of the Year

Chuck Yurieci, a four-year letter winner for Big Blue Football and Baseball, spent over 30 years with GROWMARK. He is a dedicated supporter of Big Blue Athletics and the arts, attending games and performances, traveling to CCIW events, and supporting scholarships and facilities. Yurieci paid tribute to former Millikin President Patrick White and shared memories of campus "footprints," emphasizing how alumni support has transformed the campus while preserving its spirit. He and his wife, Gwen, are faithful supporters of Millikin, contributing to various initiatives, including the Millikin Fund, Annual Scholarships, and the Kirkland Fine Arts Center.

Caylee French Noggle ’01: Merit Award

Caylee French Noggle, President and CEO of the Georgia Hospital Association, was recognized for her leadership in improving healthcare. She credited Millikin’s framework for shaping her career and leadership and reflected on the power of relationships in times of crisis. Noggle previously served the State of Georgia in various capacities, including Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health and Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Brian P. Kemp. She supports the Millikin Fund and the Nicholas Schwalbach Fire Prevention and Education Fund.

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Lucas “Luke” Bills ’03 and Jodi Fearday Bills ’03: Merit-Loyalty Award

Luke, President of Independent Agent Distribution at Liberty Mutual, and Jodi, co-founder of a luxury real-estate firm, have supported the Millikin Fund, scholarships, the Center for Theatre & Dance, and helped launch the Tabor Global Scholars Program. They also named a space in the new Rathje Athletic Center. They emphasized that Millikin "opened our world" and gave them a lifelong commitment to pay it forward. Since graduating, their careers have taken them to Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Boston.

Dr. John Blakeman ’13/MSN ’15: Young Alumnus Award

John Blakeman, an Associate Professor at Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing, has published numerous peer-reviewed papers, authored a book, and earned national recognition. A highly engaged Millikin alumnus and former School of Nursing Instructor, he supports scholarships and campus initiatives and was named the School of Nursing Alumnus of the Year in 2020. Blakeman stated that his professional successes are largely due to the influence of so many people at Millikin.

Kenneth Davis ’74: Loyalty Award

Kenneth Davis, with a 50-year career in church music ministry, has led large choirs and performed in major congregations. He has remained an engaged Millikin supporter across decades. Davis expressed gratitude for the feeling of family, belonging, and inclusiveness he experienced at Millikin. He has faithfully supported Millikin with his time, talent, and treasure, attending University events and supporting various music initiatives.

Dr. Edward “Dr. Ed” Acheson: Faculty/Staff Award (Posthumous)

Dr. Edward “Dr. Ed” Acheson, a Chemistry faculty member for 35 years, served as Department Chair for two terms and earned the Teaching Excellence & Campus Leadership Award in 2006. He mentored generations of students and young faculty, and the Chemistry Department established the Dr. Ed & Lucy Acheson Award for Excellence in First-Year Chemistry in 2018 to honor his legacy. He worked hard to create an environment where students and faculty worked together in the learning process and always had time for conversation with students and faculty alike.

Notable Alumni Across Disciplines

Beyond the Alumni Awards, many other Millikin graduates have achieved prominence in various fields. Here are a few examples:

Arts and Entertainment

Jodi Benson: The voice of Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid, as well as in its sequel, prequel, and television series spin-off, along with many other Disney works.
Annie Wersching: Known for her television roles in 24, Bosch, Timeless, Runaways, The Vampire Diaries, and The Rookie, as well as the voice and performance-capture for Tess in the video game The Last of Us.
Sierra Boggess: An American theater actress, singer, and figure skater.
Joel Kim Booster: An actor, comedian, producer, and writer, known for his work on Big Mouth, The Other Two, and the film Fire Island.
Gigi Goode: A drag queen, fashion designer, and reality television personality, known for being a runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race.

Athletics

Gregory Hines: A standout hurdler for Big Blue Men’s Track & Field, capturing the CCIW Championship in the 110-meter hurdles in 1985 and earning All-American recognition.
Kalli (Farmer) Collins: A softball player with a career batting average of .399, named MVP in 2019 and earning All-Conference honors three times.
Dion Wilson SR: One of the most accomplished running backs in Millikin Football history.
Carvel Johnson: A dominant force on the offensive line for the Big Blue Football team, earning All-Conference selection.
Michael Evan Rowland: Former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants in parts of two seasons from 1980 to 1981.

Politics and Public Service

Rodney L. Davis: A former U.S. Representative for Illinois's 13th congressional district.
Marcia Morey: An American politician, former judge and former competition swimmer who represented the United States at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. She has represented the 30th district in the North Carolina House of Representatives since her initial appointment in 2017.
Thomas William Ewing: A former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives and the Illinois State House of Representatives. Congressman representing the 15th district of Illinois from July 2, 1991 until his retirement on January 3, 2001.
Rickey Williams Jr.: Mayor of Danville, Illinois.

Business and Leadership

Douglas R. Oberhelman: An American businessman.
R. A. Staley (Hon.): Founder and chairman of A.E.
Herbert D. Ryan: An American artist and art educator.

Academia and Research

Alice Ambrose Lazerowitz: An American philosopher, logician, and author.
Trevor M. Bates: A professor at Wilmington University.
Jeffrey Alexander Sterling: An American lawyer and former CIA employee

Other fields

Bob Bledsaw: The founder of the role-playing game publisher Judges Guild.
Kevin William Vann: An American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who has been serving as bishop of the Diocese of Orange in Southern California since 2012.

Nominating Future Alumni Award Recipients

Millikin alumni, parents, and friends are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals for Alumni Awards and the Athletic Hall of Fame. Nominations remain active for three years and can be updated at any time. The selection committee, comprised of Alumni Association board members and Alumni and Development staff, reviews nominations and makes recommendations, which are then passed along for approval by Millikin's president and board of trustees.

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