Aurora University gives alumni awards
Fifty-four years ago, Calvin R. "Cal" Myers journeyed from rural Big Rock to enroll as a freshman at Aurora College. There he became a standout athlete, student, professor, board of trustees' member and banker.
Myers, 71, a 1964 Aurora College graduate and retired executive in the banking industry, was inducted into the Aurora University Athletic Hall of Fame Oct. 11 at the university banquet hall.
The presentation culminated four awards to alumni, highlighting an annual homecoming awards dinner. Alumni from Aurora College classes of 1964 and 1969 were honored. In addition to Myers, Distinguished Alumni Award recipients were Brian Grimwood, Columbus, N.C., class of 1964; Guadalupe Reyes, College Station, Tex., class of 1970; and Shenin Sachedina, Winter Park, Fla.; class of 1985.
Shaun Neitzel, AU dean of student life, presented Myers' award.
A native of Aurora, Myers graduated from Big Rock High School. Batting left and throwing right, he compiled a .324 batting average as a freshman baseball Spartan.
As a sophomore, he recorded a .354 average to take the team batting title. And in his junior year, he won the "Mr. RBI" award.
On the basketball court, Myers set a school record as a freshman with 94 points in a pregame drill. He went on to record 71 points, 38 rebounds and 10 assists as a basketball Spartan. In 1964, he was named Male Athlete of the Year.
Also a classroom standout, Myers earned the Ivy Leaf (dean's list) award.
After graduating from Aurora College, Myers earned his MBA at the University of Chicago and his Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University.
Myers joined the Aurora College faculty in 1966 as a business and economics professor. He chaired the economics and business department, was on academic committees and advised the Executive Club.
He joined Aurora's Merchants National Bank in 1977 and was named president and chairman in 1989.
During his tenure as a banker, he served as a member or leader of community organizations including United Way, Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Aurora Economic Development Committee, Mercy Medical Center, Heartland Blood Centers and Illinois Bankers Association committee on federal legislation and regulation.
Myers was elected to the Aurora University Board of Trustees in 1996. He served as board chairman from 2005 to 2012 and continues to serve.
Founded in 1893 as Mendota (Ill.) Seminary, the school moved to Aurora in 1912 to become Aurora College and then rebranded as Aurora University in 1985.
About 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students pursue bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at campuses in Aurora, George Williams College in Williams Bay, Wis., the Woodstock (Ill.) Center and other locations in northern Illinois.