The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation (CUSF) announced its 2026 Distinguished Alumni, Local Business Community Impact, and Local Hero Award recipients, recognizing individuals and organizations whose leadership, service, and achievement reflect the excellence of Champaign-Urbana public schools. Unit 4 Schools is pleased to highlight our alumni.
Andrew Whitford (Centennial High School, Class of 1996) has dedicated more than two decades to service as a U.S. Army officer and military historian. A West Point graduate with advanced degrees from Columbia University, he has served in global leadership and diplomatic roles and currently teaches future military leaders at the United States Military Academy.
Jonathan Butler-Duplessis (Champaign Central High School, Class of 2004) is an acclaimed actor currently performing on Broadway in Hamilton. A Jeff Award–winning Chicago theatre artist with extensive regional and television credits, he remains deeply connected to his hometown, the University of Illinois as an Illinois Theater graduate, and continues to inspire students pursuing the arts.
The Local Business Community Impact Award honors GRIT Automation and founders Marco Nieto and Joel Danowitz (both Central High School graduates) for donating and installing a $41,000 state-of-the-art workshop safety system at Central High School. The upgrade dramatically improves student safety and reflects Marco’s and Joel’s commitment to giving back to the school that first inspired their career.
CUSF will be hosting a Distinguished Alumni Reception on April 10th at the I Hotel to celebrate all of the honorees.