You are Redbirds Rising
Redbirds Rising: The Campaign for Illinois State began as the University’s most ambitious fundraising campaign to date. With an emphasis on scholarship, leadership, and innovation, the campaign challenged Illinois State to pursue even higher levels of excellence. You answered the call for support, making Redbirds Rising the University’s most successful fundraising effort.
When the campaign concluded on June 30, 56,143 donors had contributed $180.9 million, far exceeding the $150 million target that was set when the campaign's public phase launched in 2017. Read the complete details in our final campaign recap.
Because of your generosity, our Redbirds are dreaming of brighter futures, gaining the confidence to lead, and engaging in learning spaces that foster creative thinking. You’ve created a University on the rise. Thank you.
Scholarship Rising
Financial support to help Redbirds thrive
"I am where I am today because of your generosity."
Glory Igharo ’19 has big dreams. Thanks to the generosity of others, she has the tools and the drive to reach them.
Igharo came to Illinois State from Nigeria to pursue a master’s in financial economics. While enrolled, she decided to seek a second master’s in quality management and analytics. There was just one problem: securing enough funding to pay for it.
Igharo received the Dr. Judy Smithson Scholarship allowing her to enroll in a second master’s program.
You've made a difference in our students' lives
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211 New endowments for student scholarships
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$70 million Raised to enhance student support
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2,351 Scholarships awarded during fiscal year 2020 alone
Leadership Rising
Preparing Redbirds to be tomorrow’s leaders
Sue '68 and Bill Hallinan ’66
When asked for advice about philanthropic giving to Illinois State, alumnus Bill Hallinan ’66 laughed and said, “Give until it hurts,” before smiling and saying, “Give until it makes you feel good.” He and his wife, Sue ’68, are doing just that with a $500,000 gift to Illinois State University’s Redbird Career Portfolio through the Redbirds Rising campaign.
Redbird Career Portfolio (RCP) leadership by the numbers
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3,808 Students have participated in the RCP
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62,304 RCP activities completed to date, including networking, career and professional development, ethics education, and best practices in communication
Innovation Rising
Fostering creative thinking for an evolving world
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In appreciation for their alma mater and to foster innovation on campus, Steve ’73 and Sharon Hagge ’73 have given a $1 million gift during Redbirds Rising: The Campaign for Illinois State. The gift will establish the Stephen and Sharon Hagge Innovation Institute, which will support student learning and leadership opportunities.
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The College of Education prioritized the redesign of classrooms and computer labs to reflect the flexible learning needs of aspiring educators and their future students.
Donor funding has created innovative spaces on campus that encourage teamwork and provide hands-on learning experiences.
Your generosity exceeded our wildest expectations
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56,143 Total supporters, 27,254 of whom were first-time donors and 30,554 were alumni
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27 Pacesetting gifts of $1 million or more
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96 New inductees into the Heritage Society, which recognizes and engages donors who have designated ISU as a beneficiary through a planned or deferred gift commitment
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26% Percent of the campaign's total from gifts of less than $25,000
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$12 million Raised to attract and retain talented University faculty
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238 New 1857 Society donors whose cumulative, lifetime giving and commitments have reached at least $50,000
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$8.5 million Raised in new planned gift commitments benefiting generations of future Redbirds
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$148.8 million Total in the Foundation’s endowment, up from $78.2 million when the campaign began
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1,500 Corporate partners invested more than $27.8 million in Illinois State's mission, vision, and values
Thank You
You are the reason our Redbirds are succeeding.
Illinois State donors like you have shown the capacity to take Illinois State to new heights. Your investment during the Redbirds Rising campaign forever changes what the University is capable of achieving. You’ve made Illinois State better, and for that, you have our sincere gratitude.
With thanks,
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Dr. Larry H. Dietz
President, Illinois State University -
Eric Burwell, ’90
Chairman, Illinois State University Foundation Board of Directors -
Pat Vickerman
Vice President, University Advancement
Campaign Volunteers
We are especially grateful to the leadership of our campaign chairs and volunteers who rose to the challenge…and in doing so, encouraged others to do the same.
Campaign Chairs
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Ken '73 and Deborah (Hypke) Glover '73
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Jim '74 and Carole (Czerniak) Mounier '75
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Dan '70 and Pam Kelley
National Campaign Committee
- Brent Alsman
- Bob Augustine
- Kathy Augustine
- Thomas Barger
- Jim Bennett
- Leslie Bertagnolli
- Hank Campbell
- Frank Chiodo
- Clyde Coombs
- Jacalyn Ferree
- John Freese
- Marilyn Freese
- Gary Gemberling
- Al Goldfarb
- Beverly Grimes
- Sandra Groves
- Paul Harmon
- Sandra Harmon
- Mark Hauptman
- Ed Hines
- Judy Hines
- Matt Johanson
- Sue Johanson
- Wonsook Kim
- Thomas Clement
- Emily Kimmey
- Betty Kinser
- Jim Koch
- Donna Koch
- Vickie Lannie
- John Lawrence
- Tamara Lemke
- Joanne Maitland
- Edward Manley
- Dave Martin
- Frances Owen
- Kevin Petschow
- Keith Powell
- Joseph Rives
- Michael Schermer
- Stan Shingles
- Connie Fako Shoemake
- Kelley Smith
- Steve Smith
- Sharon Tarvin
- Thomas Tegtmeyer
- Heidi Voorhees
- Robert Walling
- Susan Lee Walling
- John Wroan
- Jeanne Wroan