With Illinois Campaign

School of Information Sciences

Celebrating the impact of your generosity

As a leader in the field of information sciences, the iSchool at Illinois has enjoyed strong relationships with our alumni, friends, and research partners. Through their dedication and generosity, we have been able to exceed our $20 million campaign goal to make education more accessible, enrich the student experience, and provide faculty resources.

Our top priority for the campaign has centered on student support. Thanks to the gifts received, the iSchool is able to offer more scholarships for tuition and enhance efforts to provide more inclusive educational opportunities. In addition, donor support has allowed our School to provide increased funding for diverse student enrichment activities, including internships, conference travel, and study abroad experiences. Both faculty and students have benefited from additional funds for travel, research, and professional development.

On behalf of our students, faculty, and staff, I want to express our gratitude for those who made our campaign goal a reality. Your contributions are vital to our continued excellence in teaching, research, and engagement.

Eunice Santos
Dean and Professor

With Illinois Impact

As we mark the end of the With Illinois Campaign, the iSchool at Illinois has been transformed by donor support.

22748403 Dollars Raised

6601 Campaign Gifts

35 New Scholarship Funds Created

245 First-Time Donors

With Illinois Highlights

Your support has helped us continue to elevate the values that make Illinois distinctive: a sense of boundless aspiration, collaboration, and a global perspective.

Katharine L. Sharp Scholarships

A generous $1 million gift from James (BS Business ’66; MS Business ’67) and Lionelle (BA LAS ’66, MS/LIS ’67) Elsesser has helped the iSchool expand its academic programs and recruit promising students. Their investment generates $50,000 annually for the Katharine L. Sharp Scholarships, which are available to students in all iSchool programs. Read more.

Mildred M. Luther and Kathryn Luther Henderson Professorship in Preservation and Technical Services

The Mildred M. Luther and Kathryn Luther Henderson Professorship in Preservation and Technical Services is the first endowed professorship in the School of Information Sciences. It was established through the generosity of Mildred Luther (1926-2017), a loyal Illinois employee and alumna and sister of iSchool Professor Emerita Kathryn Luther Henderson (MS/LIS ’51). Read more.

Donna L. Bessant Youth Services Scholarship Fund

Donna Bessant (MS/LIS ’70) has directed a portion of her estate to establish scholarships for iSchool students in need. The scholarships will support everyday expenses and advance the short- and long-term goals for students who plan to work with children and young adult services in libraries. Read more.

Balz Endowment Fund

Nancy (BA LAS ’70, MS/LIS ’72) and Dan (BS Media ’68, MS Media ’72) Balz have established a scholarship in the School of Information Sciences to help make education more affordable for returning students. Nancy worked in a number of library- and book-related jobs before returning to school for additional LIS coursework and becoming a public librarian, a position she held until her retirement in 2010. Read more.

With Illinois Moments

Take a look at a few of the moments that have shaped the culture and character of the iSchool at Illinois during the With Illinois Campaign.

Emilie Butt, the Champaign-Urbana Community Fab Lab’s instruction and engagement coordinator, operates the C&P platen press in the new Book Arts Lab. The lab, which includes printing presses from different eras, teaches students and community members about letterpress printing.

Students work in the student lounge of the new iSchool space in the Hub Champaign Daniel building. The School’s expansion into the fourth and fifth floors of the building in fall 2021 added significant space beyond what our main location at 5th and Daniel can provide for our growing faculty, staff, and student body.

students in graduation gowns throw their hats into the air

At the May 2022 convocation ceremony, the iSchool celebrated the graduation of over 270 students.

The School’s degree programs expanded in fall 2020 to include a BS in information sciences (BS/IS). The new undergraduate degree includes several pathways, covering areas from data analytics and science to galleries, libraries, archives, and museums.

Continue Your Support

Your continued support ensures the iSchool at Illinois remains a place where progress and innovation can flourish. Find your passion and help us dream even bigger!

See Priorities

See More Impact

Philanthropy has benefited students, faculty, and staff in many ways. Browse the list below to learn more about how the With Illinois Campaign’s impact can be felt across campus.