$100 million gift to UI Engineering
Updated: January 28, 2013
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS -- $100 million. That's how much the UI Engineering department is getting as a gift in honor of alumni William Grainger who graduated in 1919. It's coming from the Grainger Foundation which was set up by Grainger himself in 1949.
The money could help improve many parts of everyday life like healthcare and safety. There will also be renovations at Everitt Lab.
Grainger was an electrical engineering major. Students who are part of the department will see some of the benefits from the gift. The donation will help launch a separate $100 million fundraising campaign for scholarships.
Interim Dean Mike Bragg said they're grateful for the gift to do bigger and better things in the future. The money will also open up opportunities for new faculty positions and research.
Bragg says bringing renowned scholars to campus will give students even more of an edge. Two of the main research focuses are on bioengineering and big data. Bragg says the plan was months in the making and was finalized Monday.
Compared to other public schools, the University of California at San Francisco was given a gift of $240 million in 1998. LSU is second with a gift of $125 million in 1981. The University of Nebraska was given the same in 1998. Now UI is fourth on the list.
The money could help improve many parts of everyday life like healthcare and safety. There will also be renovations at Everitt Lab.
Grainger was an electrical engineering major. Students who are part of the department will see some of the benefits from the gift. The donation will help launch a separate $100 million fundraising campaign for scholarships.
Interim Dean Mike Bragg said they're grateful for the gift to do bigger and better things in the future. The money will also open up opportunities for new faculty positions and research.
Bragg says bringing renowned scholars to campus will give students even more of an edge. Two of the main research focuses are on bioengineering and big data. Bragg says the plan was months in the making and was finalized Monday.
Compared to other public schools, the University of California at San Francisco was given a gift of $240 million in 1998. LSU is second with a gift of $125 million in 1981. The University of Nebraska was given the same in 1998. Now UI is fourth on the list.
