UI Foundation/UI Advancement Weekly Update 06.25.21
Dear Team:
Earlier this week when I began thinking about my weekly message, I was reflecting on the time I spent recently with my family, and how the older we get the harder it is to spend time with one another. Before continuing with my thoughts on that subject, I would like to ask you all to keep the family and friends of Jordan Waugh in your thoughts. Jordan was a key member of our UIC development team who passed away yesterday. (You can read below UIC Vice Chancellor for Advancement Tom Wamsley’s message to his staff yesterday.) Jordan was a colleague and a friend, and we will miss him dearly. His passing is also a stark reminder that time is precious and not promised.
Throughout the pandemic I think we have all seen radical changes to the way we manage our time and the time we spend with our loved ones. While the pandemic gave many parents and children more hours together, moments with my entire immediate family have been limited because we no longer all live in the same house. Last weekend was the first time since Christmas all three of my children were home at the same time. I forgot how much I enjoy the banter, laughter, and craziness of having everyone under one roof.
As we continue to emerge from coronavirus limitations, our lives will undoubtedly get busier again. Most adults will go back to their offices, at least part-time. Children’s activities have re-opened, and in the fall, kids will go back to full-time, in-person school. So, take advantage of the opportunities you have to be together with your family this summer. Make some memories and enjoy doing the big and small family things you have not been able to the past 14-18 months.Tomorrows are not promised, so make the most of each day. With the month about to end, it is also timely that I remind everyone that the current fiscal year will close in five days. We have had exciting announcements about major gifts over the last month, and we are on track to accomplish several of our annual goals; however, there is still time left in FY21. Whether its closing one more gift, or cleaning up your annual to-do lists, finish the year strong. I am looking forward to celebrating everything we have accomplished together soon. (Hopefully, in person!)
Finally, I want to wish a good friend and one of our outstanding University of Illinois leaders best wishes. Dr. Barb Wilson, UI System Executive Vice President/Vice President for Academic Affairs, will be leaving Urbana-Champaign at the end of the month to assume the presidency at the University of Iowa. Barb served the University of Illinois in many ways for a long time, and she has always been a champion and friend to our advancement community. We will miss her, but know she is in good hands since she will be working with Urbana-Champaign alumnus, and former UIUC VC for Advancement, Lynette Marshall. Farewell and good luck Barb!
Have a great weekend and for those of you in Illinois stay dry, it looks like we are in store for several rainy days over the next week.
Best,
Jim
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Colleagues -
I’m writing to share the sad news that Jordan Waugh passed away today.
I didn’t know Jordan as well as many of you, however during our brief time working together it was easy to see his remarkable dedication, work ethic, breadth of knowledge and selflessness. He was diligently committed to UIC’s mission, his team and his work every day of his time here. He loved UIC and was always the first to step up in times of need, through many transitions and when his team needed him.
I know we’re all keeping Jordan and his family in our thoughts and hearts in our own ways. As an advancement team, we will find a fitting way to honor Jordan in the coming weeks. We will include those who knew Jordan best in determining what that is.
It’s an immense loss for the College of Medicine and for all of Advancement. Let’s commit to each other that we’ll keep his memory and his example alive in all of our work.
Take care,
Tom