IMSA President Earns Aurora U. Honorary Doctorate Degree

AURORA, Ill. May 10, 2006 - Stephanie Pace Marshall, founding president of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree at Aurora University’s 113th annual commencement on May 6.

Stephanie Pace Marshall, left, founding president of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree at Aurora University’s 113th annual commencement on May 6. Right is AU Provost Andrew Manion, who adjusted Marshall’s stole. Theodore C. Parge, AU vice president for advancement, presented Marshall's citation, and her degree was conferred by AU President Rebecca L. Sherrick. Marshall was recognized for her dedication and commitment to the improvement of science and mathematics education throughout the country and internationally and in recognition of her significant innovative and valuable contributions to the improvement of learning and education. Click here for hi-res copy of photo (060510marshall-hi.jpg)

Marshall was awarded the degree for her dedication and commitment to the improvement of science and mathematics education throughout the country and internationally and in recognition of her significant innovative and valuable contributions to the improvement of learning and education.

Marshall’s degree was conferred by AU President Rebecca L. Sherrick. Her citation was presented by Theodore C. Parge, AU vice president for advancement.

Parge said, “Like Aurora University, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy transforms lives through learning. Dr. Marshall has led the institution in its efforts for the past 20 years as president and CEO.

“A gifted advocate for IMSA, she has established the school as an internationally recognized model for the development of students with exceptional talent in math and science. She champions the vision of IMSA to unlock the goodness and genius of all children and to this end, she has developed new and innovative ways of teaching and learning,” Parge said.

IMSA was established by the state of Illinois in 1985 to help meet the need for highly skilled technical and scientific leaders. The three-year advanced residential college-preparatory program for more than 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10 through 12 is the only program of its kind in Illinois and one of only 13 in the country.

IMSA’s faculty challenge its gifted students not only to excel in math and science, but also to think creatively, question assumptions, conduct independent scholarly and scientific research and explore artistic expression.

“A visionary leader,” Parge said, “Dr. Marshall has extended the IMSA experience beyond its physical boundaries and thereby impacted the lives of young learners throughout the state. The Center@IMSA, the academy unit that provides statewide professional development and enrichment programs, has benefited more than 19,000 teachers and 43,000 students.”

Marshall has also served as president of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development International. She was instrumental in establishing the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology and served as its founding president for two years.

She also serves on a number of boards of directors, including Tellabs, Inc., Sentry Insurance, Underwriters Laboratories, Illinois Technology Coalition, and the First in the World Consortium.

An internationally recognized consultant, speaker and writer on issues critical to educational transformation, Marshall recently published a book, “The Power to Transform: Leadership that Brings Learning and Schooling to Life.”

In 2005, Marshall was named a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, the highest honor awarded by the state for outstanding achievement. Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed her to the Education Accountability Task Force in 2004, an appointment she continues to hold, and she served as a member of the Board of Advisors to the transition team of then Governor-Elect Blagojevich in 2002.

Dr. Marshall received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and education from Queens College in New York and became an elementary and middle school teacher for District 126 in Alsip, Ill. While there, she completed her master’s degree in curriculum and philosophy from the University of Chicago and began her consulting career with Holt Rinehart and Winston Publishing Company in the Social Studies Division. In 1983, she received a doctorate in educational administration and industrial relations from Loyola University of Chicago.

For many years, she was a graduate faculty member and dissertation adviser for National Louis University’s College of Education as well as Loyola University of Chicago.

She went back into the schools in 1976 as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at Batavia School District 101 and has remained involved in K–12 education ever since.

Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall's acceptance speech.

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