CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Patricia Justice, the assistant chancellor for development at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is this year’s winner of the Medallion of Honor, the most prestigious annual award given by the Mothers Association at Illinois.
The award was presented at the spring Mothers Association banquet during Moms Weekend at Illinois.
Since 1977, the award has been given to a woman affiliated in some way with the university. Nominations are solicited from deans, directors and departments on campus.
Justice was chose for the award in recognition of her “great integrity, care for others, energy, creativity” and for balancing her many roles outside the home with her roles as a wife and mother, according to the Mothers Association. “(She) has been described by her supporters as a positive mentor, a very successful professional, a community volunteer, and a loyal friend.”
Justice was nominated by Pam Christman, the assistant dean for development in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, who cited Justice’s “impact on others, particularly women.” Additional letters of support for the nomination came from women who have dealt with Justice over the years.
Justice has been involved in the community in a variety of ways, perhaps most prominently with the Crisis Nursery of Champaign County. She has been a board member of the nursery and led a campaign to raise funds for a new facility.
The awards banquet was held on campus in April.
