Spring 2019
My parents, extended family and friends joined the Illinois College community at the formal installation ceremony held in Sherman Gymnasium. I spoke with passion about the critical role IC plays in developing in students the qualities of mind and character needed in the 21st century.
In the six years that have passed since I assumed the presidency of IC, I have had the privilege of traveling the world to tell the College’s story and raise awareness of the extraordinary work that is happening here in preparing students to Graduate READY for the complex world that awaits them. Illinois College’s vision is to build an international reputation for inspiring achievement and empowering students to make a difference in the world. On May 12 we celebrated the graduation of 203 students. These alumni are poised to enter graduate and professional schools, serve as Fulbright Scholars in Germany and Spain, begin careers in their fields of choice, and serve others through non-profit organizations.
We have carried the inauguration theme into our fundraising campaign to signal that it is everyone’s work to inspire achievement in our students; in turn, we will be inspired by them. Inspiring Achievement: The Campaign for Illinois College moved into its public phase on May 10, 2019. I am enormously grateful to the Illinois College Board of Trustees for their leadership of the Campaign and to all the donors who have made it possible to raise 72 percent of the $50M goal through cash gifts, pledges and planned gifts from estates. This issue of the Quarterly highlights some of these donors and provides a window into the Campaign’s goals of expanding experiential learning opportunities, increasing scholarship funding, building annual support, investing in faculty and enhancing learning and living on campus through improvements to classrooms, the athletics complex and a complete renovation of Crispin Hall.
At the close of my inaugural speech, I extended an invitation to the audience to be an active part of IC’s future. Today I want to invite you to do the same:
Just as the world needs Illinois College now more than ever, Illinois College needs you. I hope you will accept my invitation to give back – with your wisdom, your presence, your work and your gifts. Future generations of IC students are relying on all of us to step up for them, to make IC a place that can inspire achievement for years to come. Today I invite you to support the success of IC’s students. Our mission lives in them, in their achievements and in the inspiring lives they will lead as graduates.
All the best,
Barbara A. Farley, President
