Distinguished Alumni Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Awards. Click here for award criteria and to submit a nomination online.
Celebrating Alumni
We're proud to honor eight alumni in 2011 with the 75th Distinguished Alumni Award — the highest honor bestowed by the Wisconsin Alumni Association.
Since 1936, WAA has been presenting the awards to the most prestigious graduates of UW-Madison for their professional achievements, contributions to society and support of the university.
Since 1936, WAA has been presenting the awards to the most prestigious graduates of UW-Madison for their professional achievements, contributions to society and support of the university.
Meet the Honorees
Dennis Dimick MS’74
Dimick is National Geographic Magazine’s executive editor for the environment. He’s served as picture editor for a dozen National Geographic books, and has overseen projects on energy and climate change that have been recognized by the Overseas Press Club, the Society of Environmental Journalists and Pictures of the Year International.
Krishna Ella PhD’93
A scientist turned entrepreneur, Krishna Ella PhD’93 is most notably a humanitarian, supplying affordable hepatitis vaccines to millions of people around the globe. His company, Bharat Biotech International, Ltd., has supplied 1.5 billion vaccine doses to more than 65 countries.
Dong-Soo Hur MS’68, PhD’71
Hur is chairman and chief executive officer of GS Caltex, the oldest private oil company in the Republic of Korea. An advocate of diversification and sustainability, he also chairs the Korean Business Council for Sustainable Development and leads other national committees on the environment.
Kamoltip Payakvichien MA’71
Known to her friends as “Au,” Payakvichien is the founder of the Wangree Resort hotel in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand. She also co-founded the Wisconsin Alumni Association Thailand Chapter, and established the Farmer Career Center at her resort to help local farmers improve their lives through technology.
Aicardo Roa-Espinosa MS’85, PhD’89
President of Soil Net LLC, a global industry authority in the use of biodegradable polymers in agriculture, Roa-Espinosa was also the first president of Centro Hispano of Dane County. Today, he supports UW-Madison student researchers through his company’s work and is an honorary fellow of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Stephen Roach ’68
Known as one of Wall Street’s most influential economists, Roach’s 28-year career with Morgan Stanley has included roles as chief economist and chairman of the firm’s Asian businesses. Today he’s a senior fellow and senior lecturer with the Jackson Institute and the School of Management at Yale University.
Carol Toussaint ’51
A tireless advocate for women, civic leadership and community service — and an active volunteer leader for her alma mater — Toussaint is the owner of Vantage Point, a lecture business that promotes networking for Madison-area women.
David Walsh BBA’65
An attorney with Foley & Lardner LLP, Walsh BBA’65 (JD’70, Harvard) extends his expertise to fields as varied as telecommunications law, sports law and estate planning. His distinguished public service to Madison, the state of Wisconsin and the university includes serving as a member of the UW System Board of Regents, as well as his personal quest to further medical research at UW-Madison.
Dimick is National Geographic Magazine’s executive editor for the environment. He’s served as picture editor for a dozen National Geographic books, and has overseen projects on energy and climate change that have been recognized by the Overseas Press Club, the Society of Environmental Journalists and Pictures of the Year International.
Krishna Ella PhD’93
A scientist turned entrepreneur, Krishna Ella PhD’93 is most notably a humanitarian, supplying affordable hepatitis vaccines to millions of people around the globe. His company, Bharat Biotech International, Ltd., has supplied 1.5 billion vaccine doses to more than 65 countries.
Dong-Soo Hur MS’68, PhD’71
Hur is chairman and chief executive officer of GS Caltex, the oldest private oil company in the Republic of Korea. An advocate of diversification and sustainability, he also chairs the Korean Business Council for Sustainable Development and leads other national committees on the environment.
Kamoltip Payakvichien MA’71
Known to her friends as “Au,” Payakvichien is the founder of the Wangree Resort hotel in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand. She also co-founded the Wisconsin Alumni Association Thailand Chapter, and established the Farmer Career Center at her resort to help local farmers improve their lives through technology.
Aicardo Roa-Espinosa MS’85, PhD’89
President of Soil Net LLC, a global industry authority in the use of biodegradable polymers in agriculture, Roa-Espinosa was also the first president of Centro Hispano of Dane County. Today, he supports UW-Madison student researchers through his company’s work and is an honorary fellow of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Stephen Roach ’68
Known as one of Wall Street’s most influential economists, Roach’s 28-year career with Morgan Stanley has included roles as chief economist and chairman of the firm’s Asian businesses. Today he’s a senior fellow and senior lecturer with the Jackson Institute and the School of Management at Yale University.
Carol Toussaint ’51
A tireless advocate for women, civic leadership and community service — and an active volunteer leader for her alma mater — Toussaint is the owner of Vantage Point, a lecture business that promotes networking for Madison-area women.
David Walsh BBA’65
An attorney with Foley & Lardner LLP, Walsh BBA’65 (JD’70, Harvard) extends his expertise to fields as varied as telecommunications law, sports law and estate planning. His distinguished public service to Madison, the state of Wisconsin and the university includes serving as a member of the UW System Board of Regents, as well as his personal quest to further medical research at UW-Madison.
Meet the Honorees
This year, alumni met Dimick, Roa-Espinosa, Toussaint and Walsh at the All-Alumni Celebration on Thursday, April 28, during Alumni Weekend. Click here to watch these distinguished alumni speak about what the honor means to them and relive the fun of Alumni Weekend through photos and videos.
Grads are also welcome to meet the other four during the four-day International Convocation on campus in July.
Grads are also welcome to meet the other four during the four-day International Convocation on campus in July.
