The Shin Humanitarian Award makes a lasting impact within the University of Illinois System and beyond, offering a unique opportunity for honorees to “pay it forward” to amplify humanitarian efforts in Illinois and around the world.
The prestigious award reflects the legacy of Dr. Tai “Terry” R. Shin and Mrs. You H. Shin by recognizing individuals focused on impactful humanitarian work. Honorees drive meaningful change through a $50,000 gift they pass on to a department or program within the U of I System. Honorees also have the opportunity to engage with the U of I System community by delivering a lecture or program that inspires and fosters dialogue with students, faculty and staff.
Organizers encourage U of I System alumni, faculty, staff and students to nominate the humanitarian game-changers they work with and learn from. The next nomination deadline for the Shin Humanitarian Award is April 11. Nominations must show how nominees’ work exemplifies the U of I System’s guiding values.
The Shin Humanitarian Award recognizes those who:
- Promote the betterment of society;
- Exhibit courage and integrity to better the lives of others;
- Improve environmental sustainability;
- Take action on equality issues;
- Or strive in other ways to protect and promote human rights.
Established in 2022, the Dr. Tai “Terry” R. Shin and Mrs. You H. Shin Humanitarian Award honors individuals who have had an exemplary impact on humanity. Award recipients receive a $5,000 honorarium and travel expenses.
Renowned crop breeder Bir Bahadur (B.B.) Singh received the inaugural Shin Humanitarian Award in recognition of his untiring efforts to address global food security. He passed away in July.
Singh presented the $50,000 gift to the department of crop sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Terry Shin and Singh are both ACES alumni.
Terry Shin founded Swagger Foods Corporation in 1978, steadily growing the business to supply a wide range of spices and dry foods to industrial and retail customers.
