MUPP ’93 Receives 2009 CUPPA Alumni Appreciation Award

Peter Skosey MUPP ’93, vice president of the Metropolitan Planning Council, is the latest recipient of the CUPPA Alumni Appreciation Award from the CUPPA Alumni Association.

Skosey was one of the founders of the CUPPA alumni association in the late 1990s and served as its president for six years. He started at the Metropolitan Planning Council as urban development director in 1996, joining the leadership team to restructure the institution from its foundation of excellent research into a strong advocate for policy change. In 1999, he was promoted to vice president of external relations and coordinates legislative outreach for MPC.

“Peter has a dedication to advancing both regional policy issues as well as community-based participatory planning processes. He shows a true dedication to assuring that planning is aligned with community interests and that these processes genuinely build capacity along the way. Peter is also the founding president of the CUPPA alumni association, a pursuit that has established this extremely successful organization, which is cause to celebrate this award in his honor,” said Lee Deuben MUPP ’05, Housing and Community Development Planner for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and CUPPA Alumni Association board member.

Bob Rice MUPP ’02, CUPPA alumni board president, said Skosey’s contribution to the CUPPA alumni group was especially notable since Skosey was instrumental in the formation of key alumni programs, many of which still exist today. Skosey also gave the board from the smallest college at UIC its footing to grow to its present size as the largest alumni board at UIC consisting of 41 members.

The CUPPA Alumni Appreciation Award recognizes individuals or groups for their dedication to urban planning and public administration and contributions to the development of the college's students and alumni. Previous recipients include Stephan and Anita Friedman of SB Friedman and Associates; Greg Longhini MUPP ’79, secretary to the board of the CTA; the Chicago Federal Executive Board; Lee Smith MUPP ’87, planner for the City of Highland Park; and Richard Ciccarone, president and CEO of Merritt Research Services.

The 2009 award will be presented to Skosey on Feb. 27 at a private celebration. All proceeds from the event will support educational and career development for CUPPA alumni and students.

Six additional CUPPA alumni will be recognized at the annual awards event. Five will receive the University of Illinois Loyalty Award for Exceptional Alumni Service bestowed upon alumni of the University of Illinois who have made significant, notable and meritorious contributions and who have consistently demonstrated exceptional loyalty, commitment, dedication and service to the University of Illinois Alumni Association for the advancement of their Alma Mater. Recipients include Helene Berlin MUPP ‘01, Catherine Kannenberg MUPP 00, Peg Laemle MUPP ‘01, Rebecca Mix MPA ‘03, and Audrey Wennink MUPP ’04. Rice will also be recognized with the University of Illinois Alumni Association Constituent Leadership Award, which will be officially presented at the UIAA Student Leadership Awards Banquet on March 12.