blog posts 2017 Chicago Illini of the Year Awards Mar 16, 2017 9:30 am Co-sponsored by the University of Illinois Alumni Association and the Chicago Illini Club, this award recognizes the accomplishments of Chicago-area graduates of the University. 2019 World Series contenders share Illinois connections Nov 14, 2019 8:00 am The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences was well-represented in the 2019 World Series. A countdown made possible by computing Jan 4, 2023 11:45 am Alumnus Ken Jacobs talks about his role in NASA's Artemis I launch on November 16 – the first in a series of missions to build a long-term human presence on the moon, Mars and beyond. Actor, producer, restauranteur: Alum Billy Dec is unstoppable Dec 22, 2017 12:00 pm He's been on TV shows like Empire and Criminal Minds, owns restaurants, does a podcast with NBA stars, hosts charity events... How does alumnus Billy Dec do it all? Advertising alum creates two highest-rated Super Bowl ads Mar 5, 2021 9:45 am The winning ads this year were two commercials for Rocket Mortgage starring Tracy Morgan, demonstrating the difference between being 'pretty sure' and 'certain' about buying a home. Patrick Burke was the writer of both ads. Alejandra Carrillo-Estrada: Interweaving technology and tradition Jun 19, 2019 9:45 am 'I am especially captivated by the fretwork designs of the archaeological site of Mitla, Oaxaca,' the author writes. She uses 3D modeling to recreate the designs, then uses the models to cast them in silver. Alum Ed Jackson, Jr.: Chief architect, MLK National Memorial Jan 19, 2019 4:45 pm Ed Jackson, Jr. shares insights into how he and his team brought the memorial from the original vision to its permanent place on the National Mall Alum Elias Waddington: Using skills to help police SWAT team Apr 9, 2019 1:00 pm Elias Waddington designs, tests, and flies the world’s longest-flying production electric quadrotor. Alumna Ann Thayer Weldy helped readers find comfort—and themselves—in her books Jul 26, 2023 12:15 pm To the world, she became Ann Bannon, the name under which she published six lesbian pulp fiction novels. Over sixty years later, these books remain fundamental to the LGBTQ canon. Alumna Joanne Lee Molinaro, ‘The Korean Vegan,’ to give talk, cooking demo Sep 7, 2023 12:30 pm 'The Korean Vegan' – a lawyer, TikTok star and best-selling cookbook author – will speak and give a cooking demonstration on Sept. 21 at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts as part of the PYGMALION festival. Alumna Temple Grandin elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Apr 21, 2016 10:00 am Grandin is well known for her contributions to animal welfare in agriculture, and for her work as a spokesperson for people with autism. Alumna with a passion for national forests challenges students to seek adventure Jun 9, 2021 11:00 am With a bachelor’s degree in forestry and a love for adventure, Nora Rasure’s life and career have been nothing short of exciting. Alumna works to preserve, celebrate African American history in Bronzeville Feb 10, 2022 10:15 am 'I started the Bronzeville Historical Society with the assistance of family and friends in 1999...because my daughters grew tired of hearing me tell them about the many notable people and places in the Bronzeville community,' says Sherry Williams. Alumni create MoonArk, a tiny museum bound for the moon Apr 20, 2023 1:15 pm At only eight inches high and two inches in diameter, the metal MoonArk sculpture has four stacked chambers packed with hundreds of images, poems, music, mechanisms, earthly samples, and nano-objects. Alumni Interview: Temple Grandin Nov 6, 2019 8:00 am The animal-facilities designer and autism-community icon on why we should nurture people who think differently and abandon hope of a Disneyland for pigs. Alumni launch wheelchair basketball podcast Feb 1, 2022 8:45 am Former Illini players Derek Hoot and Martinez Johnson have started “Push Podcast: Wheelchair Basketball in the United States” to reach those who have never heard of adaptive sports. Alumnus Eli Murray wins Pulitzer Prize with ‘Tampa Bay Times’ team May 10, 2022 4:15 pm Murray, and his colleagues won for their series 'Poisoned,' an exposé of highly toxic hazards inside Florida’s only battery recycling plant that forced the implementation of safety measures to protect workers and nearby residents. Alumnus Jack Welch, former General Electric CEO, dies at 84 Mar 2, 2020 1:45 pm Welch became a chemical engineer at GE immediately after completing his doctorate at Illinois. He was named chairman and CEO in 1981 at the age of 45. He remained at the helm for the next 20 years. Alumnus Larry Gies to deliver commencement address Mar 4, 2019 10:15 am Gies will encourage each graduating student to 'find your why' at the May 11 ceremony. 'It’s about being able to connect the dots from what you are doing each and every day to a higher purpose.' Alumnus launches bionic hand Sep 25, 2019 11:45 am Millions of hand amputees around the world are now closer to receiving a life changing prosthetic device. Alumnus Nate Azark: Drawn to the City Jan 14, 2019 11:15 am Nate Azark owns of 12 Line Studio, which does design work for national brands and local startups. His distinctive style has also been featured on concert posters and album covers Alumnus Pablo Serrano: The city is his canvas Jan 27, 2020 2:45 pm With close to 20 murals adorning buildings in Chicago - as well as walls U of I's La Casa Cultural Latina - Serrano embraces his Mexican-American heritage in his art with an eye toward how we share our stories. Alumnus Richard Cahan on writing 'Un-American' Feb 7, 2018 6:45 am Cahan's latest book is Un-American: The Incarceration of Japanese Americans During World War II. Cahan is a journalist, author, photo historian, and co-founder of CityFiles Press in Chicago. Alumnus Russell Wigginton: 'My whole career has been a dream job' Jul 5, 2024 10:15 am Russell Wigginton believes that his history, experience and passion all led him to becoming president of the National Civil Rights Museum. 'It’s a fascinating, beautiful culmination of my life and experiences to end up in this job.' Alum Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, to keynote Title IX summit May 17, 2022 9:45 am 'Sheila has been a pioneer in every sense of the word, breaking new ground throughout the course of her life in education, media, business, and sports,' said DIA Director Josh Whitman. 'Sheila has always been a proud Illini...' A rich trove: Roger Ebert at the University of Illinois Apr 21, 2017 10:30 am Roger Ebert was not a typical University of Illinois student. His time here laid a foundation for his future, as they do for most students. But, unlike most students, they also shaped the university. Chemistry alumna recognized for groundbreaking career in biotech Jul 5, 2016 11:00 am “It was an opportunity to ask questions to which we didn’t know the answers yet,” said Chilton, recipient of the 2016 U of I Alumni Association Achievement Award. Chicago Illini of the Year Awards to Rich Sieracki, Jill Wine-Banks Jun 3, 2019 10:15 am Chicago Illini of the Year Awards recognize outstanding alumni who live and work in the Chicago metropolitan area. College of Business receives $150 million naming gift Oct 26, 2017 8:30 am The College of Business at Illinois will be known as the Gies College of Business after an unprecedented investment from a distinguished alumnus. Commencement speaker, architect Jeanne Gang, designs buildings that connect people, nature and communities May 8, 2024 3:00 pm Internationally renowned architect Jeanne Gang believes architecture can connect people to each other, their environment and their communities. She is the U. of I. Commencement speaker and an Illinois alumna. Couldn't get to Illini Fest? Check out the video Aug 8, 2019 9:00 am We painted Chicago orange and blue, with drinks, live music, notable Illini, and more! Enjoy watching a celebration of Illini pride in downtown Chicago at Illini Fest! Dave Eggers and the Secret Agent Supply Co. Nov 12, 2018 3:30 pm Dave Eggers talks about 826CHI, the Chicago chapter of his nonprofit that provides tutoring support for young writers and aims to illuminate children’s voices around the world Designing the iconic Chicago Theatre Mar 11, 2019 11:45 am Illinois graduates played center stage in designing this State Street landmark in 1921...and in rescuing it sixty years later. Doris Derby: Alumna, photographer documented Civil Rights Movement Dec 23, 2019 1:30 pm 'When I came here, the University of Illinois embraced me in terms of my interests and my values. I see this as the home for the kind of things I value.' 'Do we want to get to the moon or not?' Nov 22, 2019 10:00 am He called himself 'a voice in the wilderness.' He sat in conference rooms filled with scientists who ridiculed his ideas. But Houbolt was going to be heard. And we were going to land on the moon. ECE's Phil Krein named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors Jan 8, 2018 10:15 am Krein made significant strides in optimizing the use of solar power as a feasible energy resource, and wrote the first undergrad text to provide an engineering framework for power electronics Educational entrepreneur, postdoc researcher make Forbes '30 under 30' list Jan 10, 2017 9:45 am Illinois' Ryan Hoch, alumnus and co-founder of Overgrad, and current postdoctoral researcher Lydia Kisley, were named to the 2017 Forbes "30 Under 30" ranking for Education and Healthcare, respectively. Education alumna creating a buzz in Chicago Public School Feb 28, 2018 9:30 am First year CPS teacher and Illinois alumna Amanda Fagenson is drawing an audience and admiration for her teaching skills Entrepreneur, UI grad Max Levchin to deliver commencement address Mar 15, 2018 10:00 am Levchin is co-founder of PayPal, former chairman of the board of Yelp, and currently the CEO, founder of the consumer-financing platform Affirm. He graduated from the U. of I. in 1997 Film industry heavyweights descend on Champaign to pay tribute to Ebert’s lasting legacy Apr 20, 2017 11:30 am Norman Lear: 'It’s one thing to criticize, another to criticize out of love. To know his work is to know how much he cared for film and for filmmakers.' Find your local Illini club May 17, 2016 11:00 am Illini clubs, affinity groups and college groups are a great way to stay connected to the University and your fellow alumni. They offer a variety of social, cultural, educational, community service and networking events. First woman to fly a transoceanic jumbo jet on breaking through the 'glass cockpit' Sep 30, 2021 10:15 am 'As I quizzed those pilots—and later studied a pilot’s training manual one of them gave to me to “answer questions without bothering people”—I realized they weren’t doing anything I couldn’t do,' says U of I alumnus Lynn Rippelmeyer. Forber-Pratt appointed by White House as institute director May 24, 2021 4:15 pm Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt, a wheelchair racing star who holds three degrees from the U of I, has been appointed Director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. For Illini in Chicago, it's like Cheers Jan 8, 2025 10:30 am Eric and Carrie Schmidt’s Illini-themed bar, Orange & Brew, earns local—and international—recognition. Great friends, beautiful memories: UIAA's Korea Chapter celebrates 100 years Jan 24, 2023 10:30 am Duck Choo Oh’s Homecoming coronation in 1955 symbolized the blossoming of an international era for the University of Illinois. The seeds of that growth started nearly five decades earlier with President Edmund Janes James (1904–20). Hangouts: Favorite bars, restaurants and other haunts through the decades Dec 19, 2024 9:30 am It’s 1933: Prohibition is ending after 13 inglorious years, and on Daniel Street in Champaign, Kamerer’s Pharmacy is expanding—opening a fried chicken restaurant in the building next door. U of I students call it 'KAMS.' How blockchain is disrupting business applications, personal identity Mar 14, 2022 11:00 am Those exploring the impact of blockchain on their business and personal lives should proceed with caution, according to a U of I alumnus who has pioneered enterprise blockchain technology and the adoption of digital assets. Illini Baseball star Casey Fletcher: Going to bat for a dream Sep 6, 2016 1:00 pm Casey Fletcher’s father, Darrin, played for the Illini prior to leaving for a 14-year career in the major leagues, and his grandfather, Tom, an alumnus, played for the Illini in the 60s before signing with the Detroit Tigers Illini Football legend Dick Butkus passes away at 80 Oct 6, 2023 10:00 am Dick Butkus, regarded as the greatest linebacker in football history, passed away at his home in Malibu, California. As an Illini, Butkus played center on offense, linebacker on defense and led the team to the 1963 Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl victory. Illinois alum awarded Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Jan 26, 2023 4:15 pm Brittney Nadler will complete a summer internship at the State Department in 2024 and an overseas internship at a U.S. embassy or consulate in summer 2025. Upon successful completion of the program, Nadler will become a U.S. diplomat.