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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.”
Erin Virtue
Associate head coach
Northwestern volleyball
Evan Zeder
Tennis marketing manager
New Balance
Blake Hoerr
Director, fields/grounds
New York Jets
Jill Estey Mark
Career assists leader
UI women’s basketball
Adam Tirapelle
2001 NCAA wrestling champ
Fresno financial consultant
Paul Koch
Chicago-based consultant
Distinguished Alumni Award
Kayani Turner
Assistant volleyball coach
Towson University
Reilly O’Toole
Former Illini quarterback
No. 8 all-time in pass efficiency
Justi Rae Miller
Associate general counsel, State Farm
2-time All-Big Ten golfer
