2004- Steve and Anita Friedman
Inaugural honorees Stephen B. and Anita Friedman, longtime supporters of UIC and CUPPA, were the first recipients of the college's Alumni Association Appreciation Award presented in February 2004. The newly established award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated support for UIC, CUPPA, and its alumni and will be presented yearly.
While not alumni of UIC, the Friedmans have been actively
engaged with the university, and particularly CUPPA, since the 1980s in myriad ways. Noah Temaner Jenkins, president of the CUPPA Alumni Association, emphasized the importance of establishing this award and the contributions of its first recipients, saying "we established this award to recognize the numerous individuals that have helped CUPPA throughout the years, and as our first honorees the Friedmans have set a very high standard for future recipients. We applaud all that they have done and look forward to building on the relationship that we have established with this remarkable couple."
The relationship with UIC and CUPPA began when Steve Friedman was hired by the university to conduct a study of the Maxwell Street market area. Shortly thereafter he worked with then Vice Chancellor and current Public Administration Professor Vaughn Blankenship to secure the acquisition of the Circle Center Shopping Mall, which would become UIC's Student Services Building, located on the corner of Harrison Street and Racine Avenue. Friedman soon met Wim Wiewel, the former dean of CUPPA (now dean of the UIC College of Business Association) and was invited to be a member of CUPPA's first dean's advisory group where he became closely acquainted with the college's academic programs and its high caliber students and graduates.
Since then, the Friedmans have provided ongoing support to the university and college. As owners of S.B. Friedman & Company, a CUPPA Dean Robin Hambleton, specialized real estate and development advisory firm, they have Associate Vice Chancellor for hired many students and alumni from CUPPA and UIC, in a variety of Student Affairs Michael Landek, capacities. And CUPPA Alumni Association
According to CUPPA Dean, Robin Hambleton, the Friedman's gift will allow for
valuable learning opportunities outside of traditional classroom and professional instruction. "Because of their generosity and commitment, we can offer extraordinary forums, such as lectures by international experts, while also providing the opportunity to exchange information and share knowledge. I join the Alumni Association in expressing our appreciation to the Friedmans for all of their contributions to UIC, CUPPA and Chicago," Hambleton added. "It is a pleasure to be a part of honoring them as the inaugural recipients of this important award."
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The CUPPA Alumni Association has presented the CUPPA Alumni Appreciation Award recognizing individuals or groups for their dedication to the fields of urban planning and public administration and their contributions to the development of the college's students and alumni. In November 2010, the Board of Directors of the CUPPA-AA voted unanimously to rename the award to the Jim Marek Alumni Appreciation Award honoring the former CUPPA assistant dean for student services, Jim Marek. Marek retired from his post in CUPPA on February 6, 2007 after over twenty-nine years of service to the university, its students and alumni. He unexpectedly died on August 13, 2010.