Alumni Honored at Annual Community Celebration
The Illinois Central College (ICC) Educational Foundation announced the winners of the 2024 alumni awards during the annual Community Celebration event on Tuesday, October 29, at the Peoria Civic Center.
“Dr. Keith Knepp and Jona Hall are incredibly deserving of their awards. They are helping make our community and region a better place, and we could not be prouder to call them ICC alumni.”
The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Dr. Keith Knepp, President of Carle Health Greater Peoria. Dr. Knepp, who graduated from ICC in 1991, has had a distinguished career in healthcare, starting as a physician and later transitioning into leadership roles, including Chief Medical Informatics Officer and Chief Operating Officer. He remains deeply connected to ICC, frequently engaging with students and faculty, and is active in the Central Illinois community, serving on several nonprofit boards and leading multiple healthcare initiatives.
The Alumnus of the Last Decade Award was presented to Jona Hall, who graduated from ICC in 2020 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Pennsylvania State University. Hall now works as a paralegal at Pioletti, Pioletti, and Nichols law firm and is recognized for her commitment to community service. While at Penn State, she founded Zeta Mu Phi, a nonprofit that provides resources and scholarships to online students. She also launched Illuminate, an organization focused on combating human trafficking and domestic abuse.
“Our annual alumni awards recognize ICC graduates who have achieved outstanding success in their chosen field, shown a strong commitment to humanitarian service, and demonstrated support for higher education and Illinois Central College,” said Mike Unes, Vice President of Institutional Advancement.