G. Dennis Conroy was presented with the Benjamin Franklin Award from the 800-member Chicago Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives at the society’s 22^nd Annual Focus on Philanthropy Awards luncheon Nov. 13. The Franklin Award is given annually to a fund-raising professional who has attained significant achievement over a long career and serves as a role model for all fund raisers.

Conroy is the assistant vice president for development at Chicago’s DePaul University, where he has been employed since 1991. Prior to joining DePaul, he was vice president for development and public affairs at Mundelein College in Chicago. He also has contributed to the development programs at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and The Learning Exchange. Before entering the development field in 1976 he taught high school for the Chicago Board of Education after serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Darmstadt, Germany.

He received a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and a master’s from Mundelein College. He is actively involved in the community, serving on the Regional Advisory Board for Kid Power Great Lakes and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Conroy is also a member of the Board of Directors of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives where he serves as vice president for administration.