University of Illinois | 150 Years & Beyond

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 13 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.”

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