Donald A. Gillies, 1953
B.A., Denison University
J.D., Northwestern University
Citation awarded May, 1997
Don Gillies is a highly-esteemed Chicago attorney who lends his leadership abilities as well to educational, civic and religious institutions. A member of Phi Beta Kappa at Denison, he earned the J.D. at Northwestern University in 1956.
Specializing in taxation and estate law, Don is a partner in the firm of Altheimer and Gray, which he joined in 1961. He is former Illinois State Chariman of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and has served as Chairman of the Federal Taxation Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. Don has been a regular contributor to professional law journals and a frequent public speaker for professional organizations.
From 1977 to 1983, Don served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago. He has also served since 1974 as Board president of The Baptist Theological Union, located in Chicago. He has also been Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of the Baptist Retirement Home in Maywood, Illinois. In addition, he has been President of the Illinois St. Andrew Society, the oldest philanthropic organization in Illinois.
Don has volunteered for Denison as both a career advisor and a fund-raiser. He lives in Wilmette, Illinois with his wife Judy. Their daughter, Beth Gillies, is a 1987 graduate of Denison.
