Michael Ruiz, ’93, Receives Southern Illinois University Carbondale Lindell W. Sturgis Award
SIU’s 2024 Sturgis Awards for community service go to accountant, law school leader
Two longtime Salukis at Southern Illinois University Carbondale were honored for their commitments to their communities today (April 11) at the SIU Board of Trustees meeting.
Michael Ruiz, assistant dean for admissions and financial aid with the Simmons Law School, and Tracy Lake, an accountant in the Office of Student Engagement, received the 2024 Lindell W. Sturgis Award for their extensive involvement with a variety of campus and community organizations.
Presented by the SIU Board of Trustees since 1980, the award recognizes SIU Carbondale employees for public service unrelated to their jobs. The award honors the late Lindell Sturgis, a Metropolis native who served more than 30 years on the SIU board.
Here are Ruiz’s and Lake’s stories.
Ruiz works to find solutions to issues
By Pete Rosenbery
Ruiz has an affinity for working to find solutions when problems arise.
“It is difficult to say no when you know that you are a very lucky person,” Ruiz said. “When you fall into that category, you feel like you should give something back.”
Now affiliated with nearly a half-dozen distinct professional and community-oriented organizations, Ruiz said he enjoys being around others who are trying to solve problems.
“Many of these groups, that is what they are doing; they are working together, trying to do something or get something done,” he said. “That’s a lot of fun, for me, at least. It allows me to use the skill sets I have to actually bring about some positive change. I think that is why anyone does service for their church, their kids’ school or softball team or band is because ‘this is how I can help.’ And these are ways I can help.”
A 1987 graduate of Murphysboro High School, Ruiz, who lives in Herrin, saw the impact community involvement could have while in high school when he and another student chaired the school’s Key Club toy drive. “It had a big impact on me,” he said.
Ruiz graduated from SIU Carbondale in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and earned his law degree in 1993 at University of Chicago Law School. He returned to the region to work as a staff attorney for Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, and he also joined Kiwanis International.
Read more at Southern Illinois University