Sue Penckofer awarded highest honor by alma mater

April 4, 2022

Sue Penckofer, professor emerita at the Loyola University Chicago's Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, has been selected for the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Nursing.

This recognition is the highest honor presented by the College's alumni board and was first conferred in 1978. Alumni must exhibit a dedication to nursing and outstanding professionalism, as well as significant accomplishment and leadership in the field of nursing, to be considered for the award. 

In 1979, Penckofer received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UIC College of Nursing, where she also earned her master's degree in 1982 and her doctorate in 1993. She dedicated 38 years mentoring students and leading research at Loyola, serving as Associate Dean for Academics for the Graduate School and then Associate Dean for Research and Distinguished Nurse Researcher for the School of Nursing. 

Penckofer published over 60 articles analyzing mood improvement, self-management, and quality of life for persons with type 2 diabetes and received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Her students have gone on to receive their own NIH funding and assume prestigious positions across the country.

In addition to the award, Penckofer will speak at the UIC College of Nursing Spring Commencement on Thursday, May 5. Join us in recognizing Sue Penckofer for this well-deserved achievement!