Dear Colleagues,
It is with mixed emotions that I announce my decision to leave the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, effective June 30, 2025. My departure, coinciding with that of Chancellor Jones, marks the end of an era and provides a fresh start for new leadership to create their own path towards advancement success. This decision was not made lightly. My time at Illinois has been incredibly rewarding on both personal and professional levels.
While I’m extremely proud of the programmatic, cultural, and financial milestones we achieved during the last eight years, what I will cherish most is the incredible relationships we built together. The connections we’ve fostered with our alumni, donors, and each other have been the cornerstones of our success.
My sincerest gratitude to each of you for your leadership, dedication, and collaborative spirit. Leaving such a talented and committed team is not easy, and I will miss working alongside each of you.
As the university moves forward, I am excited to see how you will continue to champion our mission and achieve even greater success. Thank you for the wonderful memories and experiences we’ve shared. I look forward to staying connected and celebrating your continued accomplishments!
Sincerely,
Barry Benson
Vice Chancellor for Advancement
BARRY D BENSON
Vice Chancellor for Advancement
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
601 South Lincoln, Urbana, IL 61801
Suite 3001 | M/C 079
Urbana, IL 61801
217.244.1206 | bensonb@illinois.edu
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