Philanthropy News

An incredibly generous estate gift from the late James Hill Jr. served as a major catalyst to endow the previously established Nate Thomas Legacy Scholarship at Illinois Tech this spring.

Building the Next Era of Global Innovation

Since its founding, Illinois Tech has been creating a community of thinkers who think differently and doers who do differently, bringing together learners from different cultures with unique perspectives and experiences to innovate in ways that were never thought possible. Fortunately, generous donors to the university are eager to step up and provide meaningful support to make that possibility a reality at Illinois Tech.

Summer 2023

Milwaukee Tool Builds Opportunities for Student Success

This spring, Illinois Institute of Technology received two generous donations of power tools valued at nearly $100,000 from Milwaukee Tool, a long-standing partner of the university.

Spring 2023

Igniting Change Through a $1 Million Pledge to The Chicago Difference

Illinois Tech alumna and Life Trustee Anita M. Nagler (LAW ’80) realized that she had a profound interest in social causes, education, and philanthropy early on in her educational career.

Spring 2022

‘Sparking’ Success at Illinois Tech

At a time when talking about the American dream can seem old-fashioned, Olin’s life and point of view make a compelling case that the dream is alive and well. Even better, Olin is committed to making the dream available to everyone, starting with the students at Illinois Institute of Technology.

Fall 2021

Remembered in Stone (and Glass)

The culture of philanthropy at Illinois Institute of Technology is as old as Illinois Tech itself. This year, as in years past, the philanthropy of alumni, trustees, and friends has made lasting contributions to the success of our university and our students, empowering them to make the difference they were born to make.

Spring 2021

Making a Big Swing for Illinois Tech Athletics

In 1988 Gerald “Jerry” Maatman (FPE ’51) invited his industry’s most powerful critic out for dinner. Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen, was a lobbyist with a thick Rolodex and a grudge against auto insurers such as Kemper National Insurance Company, where Maatman had recently been appointed chief executive officer.

Fall 2020

The Collective Genius at Work

For Jim Albrecht (FE ’53, M.S. ’55), it all started with an article in Illinois Tech Magazine. In fact, Albrecht keeps a few copies of the winter 2012 issue on hand because the vertical-farming article “The Plant” proved to be so important to his support for Illinois Institute of Technology’s IPRO Scholarship Fund over the last eight years.

Summer 2020

Supporting Students When They Need It Most

In 2017 the Student Gift Committee convened to decide how the members of the Class of 2017 would leave their mark at Illinois Institute of Technology. They also wondered if there was a way to make a difference right away.

Spring 2020

Leading by Gracious Example

The restoration of the former Bailey Hall is focused around student success. Designed by award-winning architect and alumnus Dirk Denison (ARCH ’83, M.B.A. ’83), the soon-to-be-rededicated George J. Kacek Hall offers comfort, stunning views, and space for study and sociability in a way that honors the building’s distinct, historical qualities—the original building was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and completed in 1955—while innovating for the way students live, study, work, and socialize in the twenty-first century.

Fall 2019

Career Path Plus

“Having a scholarship gave me the freedom to do what I’m doing today because I’m not sitting on a mountain of debt,” says Margaret Lee (ME/EGMT ’17), a former Camras scholar [below] now living and freelancing in New York. This is a common sentiment from students in Illinois Institute of Technology’s scholarship and leadership programs; not only are students better prepared for positions of leadership, but the philanthropy that provides full-tuition scholarships enables them to fearlessly set their sights high, pursuing career paths both planned or unplanned. Meet some young alumni who rose to the opportunities they received as students:

Spring 2019

In Celebration of “Bud”

Alan “Bud” Wendorf (ME ’71), who served as chairman of the Illinois Institute of Technology Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2018, is an inspirational example of an alumnus giving back to today’s students through scholarship and capital improvements, as well as volunteer initiatives.

Philanthropy News

Spring 2024