February 12, 2008

Richard Ciccarone Awarded the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs Alumni Award

Richard Ciccarone, president and CEO of Merritt Research Services, will receive the CUPPA Alumni Association Award from the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) Alumni Association of the University of Illinois at Chicago.

"Rich is a renowned expert in municipal finance, credit ratings, and financial management and is often relied upon by media for his expertise in municipal bonds. He was instrumental in founding the National Federation of Municipal Analysts in 1983, having served as president in 1984. He also clearly understands the value of alumni involvement," wrote CUPPA Interim Dean Michael Pagano in nominating Ciccarone. 

Pagano expressed appreciation for Ciccarone's offering internships in his offices, guest lecturing in CUPPA classes, securing scholarship funds, and sponsoring a national conference on budgeting and financial management hosted by the CUPPA Public Administration Program in 2004.

"He also secured a gift of financial data sets spanning several decades on debt issued by government and non-profit institutions from AIG Global Investment Group. The value of the initial investment in this data set by AIG was well into the tens of thousands of dollars.  It will be priceless to faculty and students doing research in this area," Pagano wrote.

Ciccarone serves on the board of the Civic Federation of Chicago.  In his hometown of Hinsdale, he is an elected member of the village's Board of Trustees, chairman of its administration and community affairs committee, and a former member of its plan commission.  He serves on the boards of the Hinsdale Theater Foundation and is a past president of the Committee of One Hundred. 

He holds a BA degree from Miami University in Ohio and a dual master’s degree in public administration and urban studies from the University of Akron. 

The award will be presented on Feb. 29 at a private celebration.  All proceeds from the event will support educational and career development for CUPPA alumni and students.

- UIC -