The campus is beautiful and tranquil as we settle solidly into our second semester and celebrate another record spring enrollment of 1,083 students on campus and online.

As we approach the one-year anniversary of moving to virtual learning due to the pandemic, I give thanks for the ingenuity of dedicated faculty and staff who have reconsidered every aspect of how we teach students and support their success in a hybrid-learning environment, and reimagined campus operations in the face of stay-at-home orders and required health and safety protocols. Students have been remarkably resilient during this unprecedented time as they navigate restrictions supporting the College’s Community of Care Agreement and put on hold high-priority goals like in-person internships. I am proud of IC’s students and appreciate the sacrifices they are making to live and learn on campus.

Even as winter has taken hold, there are still hopeful signs everywhere that we are turning a corner on the pandemic. Vaccines are being administered in Jacksonville, with Illinois College nursing students assisting the Morgan County Public Health Department in support roles at clinics. Athletic teams have begun hosting competitions, albeit without spectators, and we are hopeful that the Midwest Conference will sponsor league competition for spring sports. Literary societies are holding virtual events encouraging new members to pledge, choral groups are rehearsing in socially distanced ways and TheatreWorks is holding auditions for
the spring production. Commencement will be here before we know it.

The transformative work of IC’s Inspiring Achievement Campaign continues. Our alumni and friends have come together to impact the future of Illinois College, propelling the Campaign toward our $50 million goal. To date, $40.8 million has been raised, with campaign gifts directly impacting 1,097 students in 2020 alone. Thank you
for your dedication to student success. This year’s IC Impact Report provides examples of the diverse ways donors are changing students’ lives through their gifts.

You can make your first gift or renew your commitment to the Campaign by joining me in being ALL IN FOR IC on March 10. On our fourth annual day of giving, every gift you make will be matched by generous donors. You can make a lasting impact in the life of an IC student during this exciting, one-day celebration of Illinois College.

Stay safe and be well,

Barbara A. Farley
President

*All photos included in this issue were taken before 2020.