Illinois State University Media Relations
 

State Superintendent Koch to Receive Ben Hubbard Leadership Award

Date: 4/30/07
Contact:Kathy Beal


Illinois State University’s Educational Administration and Foundations department will present the Ben Hubbard Leadership Award to State Superintendent of Education Christopher Koch at the annual spring reception at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, at the Doubletree Hotel in Bloomington.

The Ben Hubbard Leadership Award recognizes the achievements of an Illinois citizen who has promoted, championed or achieved one or more significant goals benefiting education in Illinois. The award is named after Ben Hubbard, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Illinois State University. Hubbard served as both department chair for Educational Administration and Foundations and dean of the College of Education before retiring in 1982. He is remembered as an excellent teacher and researcher as well as an influential voice in the formation of Illinois education policies and legislation.

Koch has been a long-standing advocate on behalf of the children of Illinois, particularly children with special needs. He has been with the Illinois State Board of Education since 1994. Before being selected as the state superintendent of Education, Koch served as interim superintendent, assistant superintendent for Special Education and chief education officer. Prior to his tenure with the ISBE, Koch worked for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education and was a teacher.

Koch received his master’s degree in education and human development and doctoral degree in special education from George Washington University and his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University.