Stanley O. Ikenberry

1935 - 2025

Stanley O. Ikenberry

March 3, 1935 - April 1, 2025

Boca Grande, Florida - Stanley Oliver Ikenberry, 90, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2025, at home in Boca Grande, Florida, surrounded by his family.

Born March 3, 1935, in Lamar, Colorado, to Oliver and Margaret Moulton Ikenberry, he was a visionary leader in American higher education and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, colleague and friend.

Stan spent much of his childhood and college years in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, where he observed his father lead Shepherd College as its president. Stan earned a bachelor's degree from Shepherd College in 1956 and continued his studies at Michigan State University, receiving a master's degree in 1957 and a Ph.D. in higher education in 1960. It was there he met the love of his life, Judith Life, whom he married on Aug. 24, 1958, in New Castle, Indiana.

He began his career in institutional research while at Michigan State. In 1962, he moved to West Virginia University, where he held several roles, including serving as the inaugural dean of the College of Human Resources and Education. In 1969, Stan joined Pennsylvania State University, first as a researcher in the Center for the Study of Higher Education and later as senior vice president for administration, where he oversaw university-wide operations, policy and strategic planning.

In 1979, at the age of 44, he was named president of the University of Illinois, serving for 16 years as the institution's 14th president (and again as interim president in 2010). Under his leadership, the University of Illinois underwent transformative change, including the consolidation of the Medical Center and Chicago Circle campuses into what is now the University of Illinois Chicago and the establishment of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology. His leadership helped increase access to the university with the establishment of the President's Award Program for underrepresented students.

Following his retirement from Illinois, Stan served as president of the American Council on Education in Washington, D.C., from 1996-2001. In this capacity, he was a leading voice representing virtually all post-secondary educational institutions. Stan spent his final years in the academy as emeritus president and regent professor in the College of Education at the University of Illinois, where he taught graduate students and embarked on a passion project researching undergraduate learning outcomes, which resulted in the founding of the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment.

Nationally, Stan shaped educational policy as chair of the board of trustees of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, chair of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, chair of the executive committee of the Association of American Universities, Big Ten representative of the NCAA Presidents Commission, and founding chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents. He also played a pivotal role ushering Penn State into the Big Ten.

Stan learned and grew as a leader by serving on several corporate boards. For over two decades, he was a member of the board of directors of Pfizer, serving a term as lead director. He also served as president of the board of overseers of TIAA-CREF.

For 40 years, Stan and Judy called Boca Grande their winter home, reveling in the close-knit island community. Here, Stan adapted his leadership to island life. He served as senior warden and choir member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and on the boards of the Royal Palm Players and Friends of Boca Grande Community Center. Over the last 14 years, he relished summers in State College, Pennsylvania, actively participating in the lives of his youngest grandchildren. Stan was an enthusiastic sailor, earning his sea legs on Lake Glendale and the Chesapeake Bay. Later, he and his family spent many happy days sailing Lake Michigan.

Stan is survived by his wife of 66 years, Judy, a true partner and "First Lady" in his life and career. He is also survived by three sons, David Ikenberry (Nancy) of Boulder, Colorado, Steven Ikenberry (Anne) of Rockford and Boca Grande and John Ikenberry (Gina) of State College; eight grandchildren, Kathryn Ikenberry Jones (Jordan), Capt. John Life Ikenberry, USAF (Mackenzie), Sarah Ikenberry Hoffacker (Kyle), Matthew Ikenberry, Grace Ikenberry, Maya Ikenberry, Samuel Ikenberry and Benjamin Ikenberry; one great-grandson, Henry William Jones; and a sister, Jane Ikenberry Dorrier.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty Ikenberry Wade.

Stan will be remembered for his warmth, optimism, wisdom and humor and his inclusive, generous way of seeing the best in everyone.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 390 Gilchrist Ave., Boca Grande. The service will be livestreamed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois made in memory of Stan Ikenberry to further student experiences in the performing arts, or to the Renaissance Fund at the Boca Grande Community Center in Boca Grande.