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Kistner Honored with Starkey Award

Aug. 22, 2022

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — As a true advocate for students and compassionate director of the Hart Career Center , Warren Kistner has received the 2022 Max L. Starkey Service Award at Illinois Wesleyan University.

President S. Georgia Nugent recognized the award winner on Aug. 22 at the annual All Campus Conference Event to kick off the school year for faculty and staff. 

For 27 years, Kistner ’83 has provided guidance and encouragement for IWU Titans as they explore internships, career

Warren Kistner and President Nugent with certificate
Warren Kistner ’83, director of the Hart Career Center, is the 2022 recipient of the Max L. Starkey Service Award at IWU. President Georgia Nugent presented him with the award during the All Campus Conference Event.

opportunities and pathways to graduate school. 

“Students know they will leave Warren’s office more confident, empowered and less stressed after an appointment,” said a nominator. “He is wholly committed to IWU’s mission of serving students, especially students from marginalized communities.” 

A nominator also mentioned Kistner never seeks recognition or credit — yet his work at the Career Center has contributed to Illinois Wesleyan's status as No. 1 in Illinois and No. 7 in the nation among universities for student job placement after graduation . 

“Warren’s connections with students are not temporary; he genuinely cares for their success both as current students and graduates,” the nominator continued. 

The Starkey Award is given to a staff member whose loyalty, enthusiasm and outstanding contributions have provided an invaluable service to the Illinois Wesleyan community. Established in 2001, the award is named in honor of the late Max Starkey, a 1957 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan, who was the University’s controller for more than 39 years until his retirement in 1996. The award is made possible through a gift of the Starkey family.

A committee of members of the Starkey family and retired Illinois Wesleyan staff and faculty selects the Starkey Award winner from nominations submitted by current faculty and staff colleagues. This year’s committee included: Chuck Adam, former director of security; Jane Baines, former director of research; Mary Ann Bushman, associate professor of English emerita; Robin Leavitt, professor emerita; Dan Terkla, professor of English emeritus; George Wainwright, former manager of maintenance services; and family members Dana Starkey and Tina Starkey Swingler.

By Julia Perez