Dean Illingworth, assistant director of the Operations Branch for the Indiana DNR Division of Engineering, received the honorable Distinguished Alumni Award at Ball State University's College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) Alumni Awards Banquet last week in Muncie.
This award is presented to selected alumni with 15 years or more of professional experience who have achieved a position of influence and national/international prominence in their respective fields.
"Without CAP, my career would be unrecognizable. The CAP program embraces the mission of challenging students to explore their surroundings and question their past experiences," Illingworth said. "In an effort to grow this vision for a better future, I have spent my architectural career mentoring and serving others."
Illingworth, who graduated from Ball State in 1974 and holds the honorary position of Fellow through the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), joined the DNR in 2017 after serving six years as Indiana’s State Building Commissioner for its Department of Homeland Security. He has worked on many historical structures and Indiana landmarks throughout his career, including while with the DNR.
His career can be broken down into three phases of architectural design—traditional practice (1974-2006), design for not-for-profits (2006-2011), and service to the state (2011 to present).
At DNR, he is responsible for developing and reviewing structurally based projects for the divisions of State Parks, Forestry, Fish & Wildlife and Nature Preserves, work that includes the rehabilitation of many historic structures as well as new construction projects. In this capacity, he has preserved and rehabilitated several 1930s structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
“Dean is a valuable asset to the DNR Engineering team,” said Dale Gick, director of DNR Engineering. “His 45 years of architectural experience provides a varied background for the diverse nature of projects on DNR properties.”
To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.
Media contact: Marty Benson, DNR Communications, 317-233-3853.