UI Foundation/UI Advancement Weekly Update 05.20.22

Dear Team:

Did you realize if you tried to put all the University of Illinois System's 2021-2022 graduates into the State Farm Center at UIUC or any other indoor facility in our System, you wouldn't be able to do it? Over the last academic year our three universities have sent approximately 20,000 students off into the world, both near and far, to begin the next chapter of their lives. That's a lot to take pride in for everyone who works for the university or the Foundation. Whatever function you support on our team, you have all played a role in fostering the success of the next generation of our country's and world's great minds and leaders. As President Killeen often speaks of, our university creates excellence and impact at scale.

Those of you who have Class of 2022 graduates – either at the U of I, some other college, a high school, or any other level – are celebrating your own momentous occasions and swings of emotions this month. Commencement is exciting and creates new opportunities for both graduates and their families, but it also brings change which can take time to embrace. This year, I have all those feelings because my wife and I are celebrating our daughter's graduation from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. We are incredibly proud of all of Jessica's hard work over the last four years, but I can't help but wonder where all the time has gone. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital.

Maybe you are a Class of 2022 graduate. If so, congratulations on earning another degree. It's not easy to work full time and go to school. All of us at the Foundation are thrilled for you and commend the determination and effort it took to reach your goal.

As I conclude, I invite any of you who have graduated personally or have a commencement in your family this spring to submit graduation photos we can share on our UIF Online website. Please use this link to submit your picture by Tuesday, May 31, and be sure to include your graduate's name.

Have a great weekend and thanks again for your continued great work on behalf of our incredible universities.

Best,

Jim