2000 Distinguished Service Citation

Writer and professor extraordinaire, Jackie Jackson has dedicated her life to pursuing her passions and sharing those passions with others. A prolific author since the tender age of 10 when The Galesburg Post ran her book, The Cloudlanders, serially for four months, her most recent work, Stories of the Round Barn, a memoir/fiction account of life on a Wisconsin dairy farm has been a true labor of love, chronicling life at the Dougan Dairy Farm in Beloit since the turn of the century. She has been honored in numerous publications including Who’s Who in America and The Dictionary of American Scholars for her many contributions to American literature. As a teacher for nearly 40 years, Ms. Jackson has imparted her knowledge and inspired hundreds of students and even more listeners through her Public Radio series, “The Author is You.” Following her exemplary undergraduate career, she earned her master’s degree at the University of Michigan and began her teaching career at Kent State University. She has spent the last 30 years on the faculty of the University of Illinois at Springfield (formerly Sangamon State University), where she has been celebrated as teacher of the year. Leading multiple student trips to Great Britain has allowed her to share further her love of literature and learning. Both MacMurray College and her own alma mater have awarded her honorary degrees in recognition of her great accomplishments and illustrious career.

Part of a proud Beloit family, which includes her father Ronald Dougan of the Class of 1925, her sister Patricia Dougan Dalvit of the Class of 1949, and her brother Craig Dougan of the Class of 1952, this year, as Jackie Jackson celebrates the 50th anniversary of her graduation, the Beloit College Alumni Association is honored to present her with the Distinguished Service Citation.