The College continued to set records, make national rankings and innovate with the help of generous donors around the world. The College exceeded its $50 million goal for Inspiring Achievement: The Campaign for Illinois College. 

Thank you for continuing the Illinois College tradition. Each name listed in the IC Impact Report is the name of a person who believes in the special qualities of Illinois College graduates. Your support is a testament that the world needs these qualities more than ever. You have had a meaningful impact on the lives of IC students and helped to make the world a better place.

HISTORIC CAMPAIGN SUCCESS

Illinois College exceeded the $50 million goal of the comprehensive campaign, Inspiring Achievement:  The Campaign for Illinois College.

As the largest fundraising campaign in College history, Inspiring Achievement raised more than $54 million by calling on the generous support of alumni and friends to extend IC’s extraordinary legacy and change the lives of students. When the College launched the public phase of the Campaign in 2019, more than $36 million had been raised. Since then, excitement has continued to build as more than 8,000 generous alumni and friends moved it forward amid global challenges.

Across campus, the Campaign has already had a resounding impact on students’ lives. It focused on four pillars: recruiting and retaining students with scholarships, expanding access and opportunities for internships and hands-on learning, renovating academic and athletic facilities, and making an immediate impact through direct support for students and faculty. Read more about the incredible impact of Inspiring Achievement throughout this edition of the Quarterly.

“Reaching the conclusion of this historic campaign is about more than the financial support for Illinois College as an institution,” President Barbara A. Farley said. “It is about the inspiring and empowering work the College does each day — work the world needs now more than ever. Through Inspiring Achievement, our community answered a call to action to ensure future generations of students have access to the life-changing opportunities the College has long given its graduates.”

CRISPIN RENOVATION UNDERWAY

A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 6 to mark the official start of the second phase of the Crispin Hall renovation, which is well underway thanks to donors and the power of philanthropy.

President Barbara A. Farley said it was a momentous occasion, brought to fruition by the “diligent and creative work undertaken by so many.”

“When we come back together for the ribbon cutting ceremony in August of 2023, Crispin Hall will be returned to its original purpose as a science-focused building — home to mathematics, computer science, physics and engineering, neuroscience, and psychology,” she said. “The transformation of this space will be revolutionary for Illinois College — for our campus, for our students and for the Jacksonville community.”

The project was a key priority of the Inspiring Achievement campaign and began with a first phase renovation that turned the outdated lecture hall into a state-of-the-art learning environment named in honor of lead donors Del ’72 and Lisa Dunham. The second phase renovates the remainder of the building, providing collaborative and contemporary learning spaces that will attract, engage and inspire students. The technology-rich classrooms and labs will strengthen teaching and learning while making growth and expansion possible. The project also includes an update of the exterior of the building. 

Follow Illinois College on social media to see photos and updates on the progress of this vital project. For more information on the project or naming opportunities, visit ic.edu/Crispin. 

CONTINUED ENROLLMENT GROWTH

Illinois College has realized strong enrollment for the last several years despite the challenges of recruiting in higher education.

Total enrollment, which includes students on campus and online, topped 1,000 for the fourth consecutive year. New majors and innovative programs contribute to the College’s continued growth. IC’s dedication to student success and hands-on learning is also a draw for families.

Vice President of External Relations Stephanie Elpers Chipman, who oversees enrollment, said it was a notable achievement given the challenges facing colleges and universities across the country. 

“Although Illinois College has not been immune to the new challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, students and their families recognize the power of an Illinois College education. They trust IC to prepare students for success after graduation while keeping the campus safe and healthy,” she said.

NATIONAL RANKINGS

Illinois College was named a top college in the country in several rankings released in the fall of 2021 and continues to be recognized for its work preparing students from diverse backgrounds for bright futures.

According to the U.S. News and World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges rankings, IC is among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation among approximately 1,500 ranked colleges and universities. Additionally, IC was ranked #22 for social mobility — a college’s ability to help students, especially those who are disadvantaged, improve their social and economic status. 

Washington Monthly’s 2021 Liberal Arts Colleges Ranking placed IC in the top 100. The ranking, which is based in part on social mobility measures, also considers each school’s “contribution to the public good” in research and promoting public service. The publication also ranked IC in the top 100 colleges in the Midwest for the 2021 Best Bang for the Buck.

The Princeton Review’s 2022 Best Colleges: Region by Region named IC one of the best colleges in the Midwest. 

NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Illinois College named head softball coach Meghan Roman director of athletics in November 2021. She continues to serve as head coach. 

Roman is now in her 13th year at IC and her 11th season as head coach of the Illinois College softball team. She was named senior woman administrator in 2013, assistant director of athletics in 2017 and associate director of athletics in 2019. She has led the Lady Blues to their most successful seasons in program history, with multiple conference championship wins and NCAA tournament appearances.

In December 2021, Roman was named one of the Jacksonville Journal-Courier newspaper’s “20 Under 40.”

A native of Chicago and graduate of Marist High School, Roman earned a bachelor of arts degree in elementary and special education from Carthage College in 2010. She recently completed a master of psychology at Southern New Hampshire University with a concentration in industrial psychology and organizational behavior. She is a 2012 graduate of the NCAA Women’s Coaching Academy.

NURSING, EDUCATION PROGRAMS SHINE

Illinois College’s nursing and education programs continued to grow and lead in 2021 and 2022.

The addition of a fully online Master of Science in Nursing program was announced in April, expanding the College’s nursing education offerings to meet the needs of a critical and continuously growing profession. The program was awarded a $330,000 grant made possible through federal Community Project Funding and sponsored by Congressman Darin LaHood, who announced the grant on campus in May. The grant will fund new equipment, create scholarships and provide staffing to support the creation and growth of the MSN program.

The College also completed the installation of a state-of-the-art medical simulation lab thanks to a $237,750 U.S. Economic Development Administration CARES grant and received a $50,000 grant from the Springfield Memorial Foundation for equipment to enhance student nurses’ hands-on learning experience.

The education department received support in the form of a nearly $75,000 National Science Foundation grant for its Rural Illinois STEM Education project and from donors who made possible the creation of the Illinois College Becker Center for Teacher Education. Named for Joy French Becker ’67, the newly renovated space is now the home for the Department of Education and the Teacher Preparation Program.

Illinois College’s program is among 24 leading a statewide effort to promote greater representation of teachers of color in public schools. The Illinois State Board of Education announced the pilot program, which will establish best practices before requiring plans from all of the more than 50 teacher preparation programs across the state. The goal of the program is to improve recruitment and retention of future teachers of color in a state where 82% of teachers identify as white, but less than half of public school students identify as white.

The education program also expanded to offer a fully online English as a second language endorsement.

IC WELCOMES LINCOLN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Illinois College offered a streamlined transfer process and scholarships for Lincoln College students after the institution announced March 29 that it would permanently close at the end of the semester in May.

IC worked to develop a teach-out partnership for Lincoln College students that maximized the credits they could transfer and make the transition easier so they could graduate on time. A tailored approach based on each student’s situation and special scholarships were offered to support the 29 Lincoln College students who chose to transfer to IC.