Two CUPPA Alum to Receive Awards

“He embodies the mission of UIC's College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs in his work in improving the human condition.” That’s how Jodi White Jones, Assistant Dean at the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA), described alum Benet Haller when she recommended him for the UIC Alumni Association’s City Partner Award earlier this year. Benet ‘94, along with Erma Tranter ’78, are being recognized for their exceptional public service at the 2011 Alumni Five Awards dinner on October 14th.

The annual event highlights alumni who have given back to the University and community through five different awards: the City Partner Award, Distinguished Service Award, Alumni Humanitarian Award, Alumni Achievement Award and Corporate Partner Award.  The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs is thrilled to have two of its graduates chosen among the many deserving nominees.

Benet Haller, ’94 MUPP director of urban design and planning, Department of Community Development, City of Chicago
For more than a decade, Benet Haller has striven to improve the city’s infrastructure and planning through his work as director of urban design and planning with the City of Chicago’s Department of Community Development. He oversaw development of the 2008 Reconnecting Neighborhoods Plan, which worked to improve public transportation access to public housing, and the 2009 Chicago Central Area Plan, a comprehensive plan building on the 2003 version to establish the city as the greenest in the nation.

Ms. Erma Tranter, MUPP ’78, president of Friends of the Parks, a nonprofit advocacy group for Chicago-area parks
An avid runner and cyclist, Friends of the Parks President Erma Tranter understands first-hand the importance of protecting open spaces for city residents and visitors. For nearly 30 years, Tranter has worked to fulfill the nonprofit organization’s mission to protect, improve and promote the use of Chicago parks, forest preserves and recreational areas for the benefit of all neighborhoods and citizens. Thanks to her efforts, the organization has saved hundreds of acres of lakefront parkland and empowered citizens to protect their parks via a network of local park advisory councils. Some of her biggest accomplishments include the Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Beach programs and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance.

Please join us to celebrate their contributions and accomplishments Friday, October 14th, 2011 at the 2011 Alumni Five Awards at UIC.  The evening includes a reception at 6:00 p.m.; followed by dinner and an awards ceremony at 6:45 p.m. Please RSVP by September 23rd.

For more information visit http://www.uiaa.org/uic/programs/alumni_five/.