Gifts in Action

With the help of graduate student teaching assistant Candice Mazewski, food science students in the College of ACES have been refining their research and development skills in their capstone course, Product Development.

Evelyn Brandt Thomas believes that if many people come together, even in a small way, to support a cause, the impact can be extensive. Co-owner and co-founder of BRANDT, she encourages others to join her in supporting 4-H, FFA and teaching young people about agriculture.

Lyle Orwig, Ag Comm ’74, credits much of his career success to the education he received in the agricultural communications program at the University of Illinois.

Passion for international travel and agriculture led Arlys Conrad to make a gift to the College of ACES in order to assist students and the Global Academy. Our Global Academy has a major impact on faculty and positions the College for international partnerships.

Holding the title of Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Scholar means quite a bit to five ACES students.

Farm Credit Services of Illinois and 1st Farm Credit Services each gave $1 million endowments to support agricultural programs that educate young people, train future agricultural leaders, and support higher education in agriculture.

It’s safe to say that no one celebrates 90th birthdays quite like the Cmarik family.

To honor George Cmarik, former University of Illinois assistant professor in animal sciences, his daughter organized a student internship gift to commemorate his special day.

As the need for plant breeders increases, the Illinois Corn Marketing Board has again stepped up to meet the challenge by providing support for six additional fellowship years for graduate students in the University of Illinois Plant Breeding Center.

Giving back took on a new meaning when Rachel Kelley began volunteering full time after having a “change of heart” through the Make A Wish Foundation. Kelley is from Highland Park and started giving back to the College of ACES in 2006.

For Gary Martin and his wife of over 35 years, Pamela, the decision to give back to the College of ACES and the Animal Science program was a simple one.