Illinois Advancement

With my Community Health degree, I hope to work in healthcare administration to create a hospital environment that emphasizes community, kindness, and efficiency. I became interested in this field when volunteering at my local hospital with my grandfather; I loved the setting where people were helping others everywhere.

This scholarship, along with other academic and honors opportunities, influenced my decision to attend Illinois. I am honored be a recipient of this scholarship. Thank you so much for your contribution towards helping me achieve my goals.

Thank you so much for your contribution to my costs of attending school, as it allows me to approach my day to day with less of a worry on how I will pay for school, and more of a focus on reaching goals I have set for myself.

I am on the cross country and track teams here at Illinois. After graduation I plan to attend PA school and become a physician’s assistant, and I’m extremely thankful that you are a part in getting me there!

I was nervous for my first semester, but I ended up joining an improv group and made close friends there. I visited campus on a class trip as a high school sophomore; I fell in love with it. That’s when I knew I was an Illini.

This year, I researched algae, and now I want to study biofuels. My family couldn’t afford to send me to college. This university was my dream, and because of your help, I’m here. No words can express my gratitude, so “thank you” will have to do.

My junior year is going well, and it is great to finally be taking the technical courses for my Mechanical Engineering degree. Outside of class I enjoy cooking, watching sports, and hanging out with my friends. I also enjoy being a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers where I work on projects with my peers.

This scholarship has allowed me to pursue my engineering degree at this prestigious school, and I would not have been able to afford to attend this university without it. I would like to sincerely thank the individuals who have made this scholarship possible.

Having this financial support through scholarships has allowed me to focus on my studies and growth as an individual through other organizations. One accomplishment that has happened over the last year has been my promotion to Co-President for the Student Sustainability Leadership Council.

We work to connect environmental groups on campus and represent the student voice in many campus meetings. We also hosted a successful first student sustainability summit! I’ve loved having the space to have an impact on my campus and the many other opportunities it has opened up to me.

I decided on UIUC my freshman year of high school, and I hope to gain knowledge and skills with my biology degree so I can utilize it to become a veterinarian. I am beyond grateful, and it is an honor to receive this scholarship.

It is helping me financially, but most importantly it tells me I am seen as having potential for the future of our society. I have higher goals to achieve, and I look forward to striving for them. So, I am going to do the best I can to make everyone proud.

In my free time I am an artist, welder/woodworker, athlete, and writer. I applied to the U of I because I loved going to the sports games with my dad as a kid. By pursuing engineering, I hope to work with renewable energy or sustainable research. I chose CEE because of my construction skills and passion for the environment.

This scholarship is incredibly beneficial. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to attend the U of I and be close to my family. I would like to thank you for making this scholarship possible.

My school year has been very busy but fulfilling. As a theatre student, in addition to my classes, I have been the assistant costume designer and wardrobe supervisor for two of Krannert Center’s performances last semester. This has been such a growth-filled experience for me and has been a big part of my college path. Outside of academics, I am a small group leader with InterVarsity, an organization and community which has become my “home away from home.”

For me, this scholarship means that I can focus on these opportunities and serve my various communities instead of having to worry about financial logistics. I am so grateful for the ability to be here. Thank you again for your support, I will make sure to make the very most out of it and use my ability to be here for something greater than myself.

Senior year has been exciting! I enjoyed returning to in-person activities, from playing trumpet in the Marching Illini to engaging with CEE alumni to teaching the engineering freshman orientation class. After graduating in May, I plan to stay at Illinois to pursue a master’s degree in structural engineering beginning next fall. This summer, I will be interning at TGRWA, a structural design firm in Chicago.

Receiving scholarships from The Grainger College of Engineering has allowed me to explore my passion for engineering without worrying about finances. I am incredibly thankful and hope to pay it forward by contributing to scholarships in the future.

As a junior, I have enjoyed jumping into the higher level courses and the challenges they have presented. I also began volunteering with the Food Assistance and Wellbeing Program that helps those in the community facing food insecurity.

My scholarship has given me an opportunity to get an education with a smaller financial burden. I am thankful to those who have made scholarships possible, these gifts are making a real difference for students like me.

I can’t express enough how grateful I am to have this scholarship. This year is off to a great start! I love the in-person interaction and my favorite part has been actually making friends to study with. I would like to major in business and minor in art and design.

During my free time, I find myself baking or designing artwork in my dorm. I would like to extend a huge thank you for making this possible for me. This school has forever changed my life for the better.