
Photo by: Ross Dettman
Northwestern Establishes "A Life Touched, A Generation Changed" Award
2/1/2023 12:00:00 PM | General, David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program
Award will annually honor one former 'Cats letterwinner for resounding impact on others, while serving as an inspiration to their community
EVANSTON, Illinois – In recognition of the generosity of University Trustee David G. Kabiller '85, '87 MBA, Northwestern Athletics has established the "A Life Touched, A Generation Changed" award to annually honor one former Wildcats letterwinner for their resounding impact on others through actions and deeds, while serving as an inspiration to their community.
CLICK HERE to nominate a Wildcats alumnus for the inaugural award.
"By elevating examples of empathy-led impact, this yearly recognition is meant to empower others to understand the positive influence and positive change one person can have on generations to come," Kabiller said. "Throughout my time as a member of the Northwestern family, I have been struck by how Wildcats serve those around them not just as undergraduates, but in all areas of life long after leaving Evanston. I am excited for the selection process to uncover many inspiring heroes making a positive difference in our community today and in the future."
Nominations for the inaugural award will be accepted until March 1, 2023, with the honor presented for the first time during the spring. The recipient must have distinguished themselves through their unique contributions to society at large, making a positive impact on the lives of others through their work and/or service. A monetary gift will be awarded to the recipient's sports program in honor of their positive impact.
An alumnus of both Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and Kellogg School of Management, Kabiller was himself a student-athlete. As an undergraduate, he received an athletic scholarship to play tennis at Northwestern and was named to the Big Ten Conference Academic All-Conference team. He conceived of and ultimately endowed the Kabiller NU for Life Program to help educate students about their professional options and to inspire them through alumni mentoring. Since its launch ten years ago, the program has become an integral component of the student-athlete experience at Northwestern. More than 1,500 student-athlete alumni across every sport and undergraduate major have participated. Alumni engagement in the program also has grown exponentially, with more graduates serving as mentors, shadowing hosts and employers.
In addition to his service on the University's Board of Trustees, Kabiller was co-chair of the New York Regional Campaign Committee for We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern, chair of the Nanotechnology Executive Council and a life member of the Kellogg Global Advisory Board. A generous and longtime benefactor to Northwestern, Kabiller is a platinum-level member of NU Loyal, Northwestern's giving society recognizing consistent annual giving to the University, with 25 consecutive years of giving.
Kabiller is also a passionate advocate for nanotechnology research at Northwestern. In 2015, he introduced the international Kabiller awards, which biennially recognize two top scholars — one pioneer and one rising star — in the field of nanoscience and nanomedicine. In 2018, Kabiller endowed both honors, ensuring that this recognition continues in perpetuity. The 2019 awards honored Northwestern professor Chad Mirkin with the $250,000 Kabiller Prize, the world's largest monetary award for achievement in nanotechnology, and Molly Stevens of Imperial College London with the $10,000 Kabiller Young Investigator Award.
CLICK HERE to nominate a Wildcats alumnus for the inaugural award.
"By elevating examples of empathy-led impact, this yearly recognition is meant to empower others to understand the positive influence and positive change one person can have on generations to come," Kabiller said. "Throughout my time as a member of the Northwestern family, I have been struck by how Wildcats serve those around them not just as undergraduates, but in all areas of life long after leaving Evanston. I am excited for the selection process to uncover many inspiring heroes making a positive difference in our community today and in the future."
Nominations for the inaugural award will be accepted until March 1, 2023, with the honor presented for the first time during the spring. The recipient must have distinguished themselves through their unique contributions to society at large, making a positive impact on the lives of others through their work and/or service. A monetary gift will be awarded to the recipient's sports program in honor of their positive impact.
An alumnus of both Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and Kellogg School of Management, Kabiller was himself a student-athlete. As an undergraduate, he received an athletic scholarship to play tennis at Northwestern and was named to the Big Ten Conference Academic All-Conference team. He conceived of and ultimately endowed the Kabiller NU for Life Program to help educate students about their professional options and to inspire them through alumni mentoring. Since its launch ten years ago, the program has become an integral component of the student-athlete experience at Northwestern. More than 1,500 student-athlete alumni across every sport and undergraduate major have participated. Alumni engagement in the program also has grown exponentially, with more graduates serving as mentors, shadowing hosts and employers.
In addition to his service on the University's Board of Trustees, Kabiller was co-chair of the New York Regional Campaign Committee for We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern, chair of the Nanotechnology Executive Council and a life member of the Kellogg Global Advisory Board. A generous and longtime benefactor to Northwestern, Kabiller is a platinum-level member of NU Loyal, Northwestern's giving society recognizing consistent annual giving to the University, with 25 consecutive years of giving.
Kabiller is also a passionate advocate for nanotechnology research at Northwestern. In 2015, he introduced the international Kabiller awards, which biennially recognize two top scholars — one pioneer and one rising star — in the field of nanoscience and nanomedicine. In 2018, Kabiller endowed both honors, ensuring that this recognition continues in perpetuity. The 2019 awards honored Northwestern professor Chad Mirkin with the $250,000 Kabiller Prize, the world's largest monetary award for achievement in nanotechnology, and Molly Stevens of Imperial College London with the $10,000 Kabiller Young Investigator Award.
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