Fueling Faculty

Fueling Innovation

Fueling Innovation: The Campaign for IIT has delivered increased student scholarships, capital project developments, academic program and research initiatives, faculty support—and much more! A great example of faculty support comes from Martin Jischke (PHYS ’63), member of the Illinois Institute of Technology Board of Trustees and president emeritus of Purdue University.

Jischke, who went on to earn a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, touts the exemplary education he received at Illinois Tech, and gives credit to the faculty members who taught him, pushed him, and inspired him. In 2016 Jischke established the IIT Board of Trustees Undergraduate Teaching Award as a token of gratitude. He and his wife, Patty, were inspired to create the award for three reasons: to say thank you for his own excellent undergraduate experience, to encourage a continued emphasis in excellent undergraduate teaching, and to show the Illinois Tech community the importance that the Board of Trustees attaches to the excellence of its programs.

“It takes a lot of time and energy to be an excellent teacher, and Patty and I hope that this award will serve as inspiration and encouragement to make that commitment.” - Martin Jischke

“I’ve spent my career in higher education, and one enduring lesson I’ve learned is that all faculty members hope to become excellent teachers. And when that hope is realized, recognized, and validated by an award like this, it can have a tremendously positive reinforcing effect on the commitment to teaching,” Jischke explains.

The first recipient of the IIT Board of Trustees Undergraduate Teaching Award is Kathryn Spink, senior lecturer of biology, chief health professions advisor, and chair of the University Premedical Advisory Committee. Jischke is not part of the award recipient selection committee, which is composed of faculty and led by Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Frances Bronet, but he couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

“I met Kathryn this year at Commencement, and she’s obviously a very gifted teacher who’s very committed to her students,” he says. “I’m delighted with the selection of Kathryn as the first recipient.”

The Jischkes have made the IIT Board of Trustees Undergraduate Teaching Award part of their Fueling Innovation campaign commitment.

“The focus of our giving has been on the education of students and the improvement and enhancement of that education,” Jischke says. “This award is just another step in the continuation of the high-quality teaching found at Illinois Tech.”

Visit fuelinginnovation.iit.edu/give to make a gift online or contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 800.IIT.ALUM (800.448.2583).


The Campaign for IIT
Campaign Progress
May 15, 2016

  • 15 Endowed Chairs
  • Capital Projects:
    • Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship: $32.7 million
    • Robert A. Pritzker Science Center: more than $5 million
    • John T.  Rettaliata Engineering Center: more than $10.3 million
  • $39 million raised for scholarships
  • Six families have made gifts of $10 million or more

fuelinginnovation.iit.edu