AHS Honors Four Outstanding Alumni

By VINCE LARA-CINISOMO

In 2023, the College of Applied Health Sciences chose four AHS graduates to receive our alumni awards. We proudly bestow these honors upon our four exceptional alumni whose accomplishments have left an indelible mark on their fields. These awards serve as a testament to the unwavering dedication and great contributions of our graduates, who have embraced the spirit of inquiry and the pursuit of fostering health and wellness.

YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

Michael Leach, Recreation, Sport and Tourism

Michael Leach was appointed as the first-ever chief diversity and inclusion director for the White House in January of 2021. He also serves as special assistant to President Biden. Prior to his current roles, Leach was the chief people, diversity and inclusion officer at Biden for President. He also had a dynamic career working in professional sports. Leach spent more than five years working for the National Football League on the NFL Management Council. He served as assistant to the head coach of the Chicago Bears and worked for the Miami Dolphins in the areas of football operations and media relations.

“I am truly humbled and honored to receive the 2023 Young Alumni Award from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,” Leach said. “My time in the College of Applied Health Sciences and the institution more broadly, was nothing short of transformative. The University of Illinois provided me with a diverse set of experiences that shaped my perspective on the inherent value of serving others. Whether it was through the Illini Union Board, the Illini football team, or delivering the Black Congratulatory Commencement address, I witnessed firsthand the power of connection and community. “

Leach earned his bachelor’s degree from the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism in 2009.

“The RST program was a catalyst for my 10-year stint in the National Football League, where I had the honor of serving in various capacities across the industry. The knowledge and skills I acquired were foundational and transferrable to various aspects of my career journey, notably leading me to make a successful pivot into serving in leadership on a victorious presidential campaign staff. This experience—built upon the strong foundation laid during my time at the University of Illinois—has ultimately culminated in my current historic role leading the diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility portfolio in the White House.”

Leach has been an extremely active volunteer to his profession. He served as a member of the NFL Diversity Council from March of 2015 to June of 2019. During his tenure on the NFL Diversity Council, he was co-chair of recruitment and partnerships on the Diversity Council subcommittee. As co-chair, he helped create the first-ever NFL’s Diverse Talent Community, which is a recruitment platform that encourages quality, dynamic candidates with diverse backgrounds to join its ranks. Leach has also served as co-chair of the NFL Black Engagement Network since May of 2018.

“This recognition serves as a reminder that we should never stop learning, because life never stops teaching. With education, determination and a commitment to serving others, I have faith that we can foster a more equitable and thriving global society. I am honored to be part of the University of Illinois' legacy and will continue to strive for excellence while empowering others along the way. I am deeply grateful to the University of Illinois, the College of Applied Health Sciences, and the entire campus community for bestowing upon me this incredible honor.”

Distinguished Alumni Award

William Haskell, Kinesiology and Community Health

William Haskell is an internationally renowned researcher and emeritus professor of medicine at Stanford University. In his 41 years at Stanford, Haskell was the principal or co-investigator for numerous prestigious grants and more than 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Haskell earned his Ph.D. in exercise physiology from the University of Illinois in 1966 and his work and achievements have clearly fulfilled the Illinois mission.

Haskell’s epidemiological research has had a significant role in developing national and international guidelines promoting physical fitness and heart health. In particular, his research on lipids and heart disease and on physical activity and heart disease have been instrumental in establishing guidelines for disease prevention and treatment. Prior to his appointment at Stanford, Haskell served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve as a first lieutenant (1960-1965) and as captain in the United States Public Health Service (1965-1970).

“It is truly an honor to receive the Distinguished Alumni award,” Haskell said. “Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offered me the opportunity to study and work with a large range of outstanding faculty and students, many of whom became exceptional leaders in exercise science research and teaching, as well as lifelong colleagues and friends. Thank you to these individuals for inspiring and nominating me.”

Walter Johnson, RST

Walt Johnson was born in Watseka, Ill., and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1958 with an undergraduate degree from the RST program. Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Army, but was called home early when his father passed away to help with the family farm. Two years later he entered the graduate program in RST and had the privilege of learning from both Professor Charles Brightbill and Dr. Alan Sapora. Upon graduation from the RST master’s program in 1962, Johnson moved immediately into a career in parks and recreation where he served in a number of key leadership positions.

“The University of Illinois has always been the reason for my success and the lifestyle I live today,” Johnson said. “It gave me knowledge, hope and encouragement. Growing up on a farm and spending hours on a John Deere tractor since age 8, and milking cows, planting, cultivating and raising cattle and pigs, I determined I did not want to be a farmer. No dirt under my fingernails anymore.”

In retirement, Johnson spent 13 years serving as a guest services ambassador for the Chicago Cubs and has a World Series ring he proudly wears every day. His passion for parks and recreation and the University of Illinois inspired both his daughter and granddaughter to follow in his footsteps to achieve a master’s degree from RST, and they are now both working in key leadership positions in Illinois park districts. At the age of 86, Johnson continues to be passionate about all things related to parks and recreation and frequently attends the National Recreation and Park Association, and Illinois Park and Recreation Association annual conferences where he still looks forward to sharing ideas and connecting with fellow professionals in the field. 

“I started out in business administration and fraternity brothers told me about the Parks and Recreation Department,” Johnson said. “I went to see Dr. Alan Sapora at Huff gym. I explained I wanted to transfer to Parks and Recreation. He listened to my reasons and he finally said ‘Walter, I am going to take a chance on you.’ What a beginning of a lifetime career. RST is a big part of my heart. I have recruited many high school students to enroll in RST. Today, they are state and national leaders.”

Harold Scharper Award

Saul Morse, Disability Resources and Educational Services

Saul Morse earned his bachelor’s degree (1969) and law degree (1972) at the University of Illinois and since has focused his practice on legislative matters, health law, insurance and municipal law. Early in his career, Morse became chief counsel to the minority leader of the Illinois State Senate before serving as counsel to the governor of Illinois in the only statewide contest of an election in Illinois history. Morse served as general counsel to the Illinois State Medical Society and to ISMIE Mutual Insurance Co., the largest insurer of professional liability of physicians in the state of Illinois. In 2010, with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Morse was asked by the Illinois Department of Insurance to establish and manage an insurance pool for individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

A colleague of Morse’s on the AHS Board of Visitors said Morse’s impact in the legal field, his volunteerism and leadership in so many areas—including the University of Illinois Foundation and the Board of Visitors of AHS—as well as his temple and the state of Illinois is “broad, deep and lasting.”

“The Harold Scharper award is of great importance to me,” Morse said. “I came to the University of Illinois as a 17-year-old freshman. At the time, no other university in this country had a program which fully included students with a disability in all aspects of campus life, from academics to housing to activities. Prior schooling for me was built on a medical model which saw me as a patient to be treated and protected rather than a fully engaged participant in society. Most of what I have been able to do personally, professionally and within the broader community is due to the DRES program of the college.”