Robert and Mary English
Mary and Bob were born in Illinois and graduated from Waukegan and McHenry public schools. They met at Illinois State University, where Mary graduated with a BS in English and Education, and Bob graduated with a BS and MS in Business. Later, Bob received his Ed.D. at Northern Illinois University.
After marrying, they settled in the western suburbs of Chicago. Bob started his career at Triton College, became Vice President of Finance at Morton College, and finally ended his academic career at Joliet Junior College. Mary cared for their two children and worked part time at various schools in the area.
In 1978, they started English & Associates, Inc., a consulting business in educational data processing; co-authored the Guide to Ad ministrative Software; founded Continental Testing Services, Inc., a psychometric firm; and in 1984, they started PMA Financial Services, Inc., an investment firm devoted to the public sector. Today, their children manage the firm. Bob and Mary are retired and live in Florida and Michigan.
Bob established this endowment as Mary’s birthday present. Initially, they thought it would be a simple monetary award, but decided that money is merely ‘absorbed.’ They wanted their award to be something special just like Mary’s birthday present. After years of data processing consultation in school districts, Bob and Mary understood the tremendous potential and challenge that computers hold for teachers. Thus, the idea of giving technology and training to future teachers evolved. Bob and Mary want to recognize the hard work of the staff at NIU, in whose capable hands the project went from inspiration to reality.
I
wanted their award to be something “WOW!” just like Mary’s birthday present. Af ter years of data processing consultation in school districts, Bob and Mary understood the tremendous potential and challenge that computers hold for teachers. Thus, the idea of giving technology and training to future teachers evolved. Bob and Mary want to recognize the hard work of the staff at NIU, in whose capable hands the project went from inspiration to reality. The program has also been replicated at Illinois State University.