UI Foundation/UI Advancement Weekly Update 01.21.22
Dear Team:
With the 2021 holiday season behind us and having just wrapped up a week shortened by the celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, 2022 and the second half of the current academic year is clearly in full swing!
This January, the typical buzz that comes with a new semester is also accompanied by the hum of our university leaders working to keep our state’s recent swell of Omicron cases from overcoming our campuses. Despite the hardships and changes the pandemic has forced on our advancement work over the last two years, we have not let the disruptions hinder our endeavors. We continue to get better and do good work. THANK YOU!
Speaking of getting better, I want to give a special shout-out to the 76 new employees who joined the Foundation or one of our three universities in advancement roles since April 1, 2020. Many of you probably have not spent any significant time in your “regular” offices, or even physically met many of your co-workers. Yet, you are supporting our advancement efforts in remarkable ways. Kudos to you! Although not among the 76, because he will not be starting until spring, I would also like to welcome Travis Shore to UIF. Travis was named the Foundation’s new chief investment officer last week, and I am excited to have him anchor the Chicago investment office.
Getting better does not just happen when new people join the team. Throughout this pandemic we have seen incredible effort, creativity, and a willingness to adapt to uncertainty from nearly everyone on our team. I have been amazed at your resilience and appreciate your patience and perseverance. With just under six months until we wrap up the fiscal year, let’s make the first half of 2022 even better than 2021!
Finally, although there are no more official university holidays until the end of May, don’t let that keep you from getting away. Even if it’s not a full-blown vacation, I encourage you to use some of the ample time off the Foundation and our universities provide. Take a day or two off when you can this winter. It’s a great way to keep your batteries charged and your spirits up during these cold months. Enjoy the two days off that begin at 5 p.m. today. And stay safe and healthy this weekend.
Best Regards,
Jim
PS: I want to leave you with something I hope brings a smile to your face — the winter holiday photos you submitted. The picture I provided is of my daughter and her Scottish-born puppy playing in the snow for the first time (in Chicago). It was great having them both home for a while.