Thomas Schnack (BBA ’72, MA ’75) is a prime example of an alumnus who pays it forward.
That is why Schnack will receive the 2026 Hickerson Award, presented by the UI Center for Advancement during the University of Iowa Homecoming Week Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration.
In 2008, Schnack’s son, Adam, followed in his father’s footsteps to the University of Iowa and was a member of the first class of UI REACH, a comprehensive transition program for college-age students with intellectual, cognitive, and learning disabilities. Schnack led UI REACH’s scholarship fundraising for its first director and continues to work diligently to ensure the program’s continued success.
Schnack currently serves as chair of the UI REACH board in addition to his accomplished career as executive vice president of Ecolab in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ecolab provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions to people around the world. Through his connections to the UI, Schnack has connected REACH students to several certifications offered by the company.
Additionally, Schnack serves as a board member for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, a role he’s fulfilled for nearly 20 years. Thanks to Schnack’s facilitation, local chapters now assist the UI REACH program with referrals for its high school youth programs. His other nonprofit roles include service to the Ida Koran Trust and a position as a board member for Groves Academy in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, an organization dedicated to literacy and supporting students with learning disabilities.
Schnack’s commitment to the UI REACH program has transformed lives, helping students with disabilities not only navigate higher education but thrive in it. Recently, he and his wife, Jeanne, established the Adam V. Schnack UI REACH Scholarship Fund, which provides annual scholarships for deserving students.
To read about Schnack and the other recipients, visit the UI Center for Advancement Distinguished Alumni Awards page.