Among the discoveries Mike Small made on his way to earning a bachelor’s in business administration three decades ago: One need not be a neat freak to become a difference-making educator.
Exhibit A: Emerson Cammack, the late, legendary dean of what was then known as the College of Commerce and Business Administration.
“Never had I seen such a uniquely unkept office,” says the Danville High grad, son of former Illini basketball star Bill Small and winner of an unprecedented 11 Big Ten Golf Coach of the Year awards.
“Dean Cammack had the messiest office, with hundreds of stacked papers everywhere. You couldn’t see around them. A total mess. Yet he was one of the kindest and most considerate mentors that I had while at the U of I.
“To this day, thoughts of that office bring back unique, yet inspiring memories of his love and respect for his students.”
Tim McCarthy
Former Secret Service agent
Police chief, Orland Park
Jean Driscoll
8 Boston Marathon wins
USOC Hall of Famer
Erin Virtue
Associate head coach
Northwestern volleyball
Evan Zeder
Tennis marketing manager
New Balance
Chris Gandy
3-year basketball starter
CEO, Midwest Legacy Group
Scott Turner
9-year NFL cornerback
Former Texas state rep.
Chris Robinson
2008 Canadian Olympian
3rd-round MLB draft pick
Marcus Liberty
’87 Illinois Mr. Basketball
Now coaching in Florida
Tiana Tozer
2-time Paralympian
Consultant, speaker
