On March 4, the University of Illinois Chicago launched Give a Spark, UIC’s very own annual giving day, an opportunity for you — the people who've helped build our track record for student success and world-class research — to ignite a campuswide movement around creating impact. This was your chance as alumni and community members to make a gift of any size to the UIC colleges, programs, scholarships and initiatives you value. And with $435,803 raised, you did not disappoint.

During Give a Spark, about 20% of you gave for the first time. What’s more, you liked, commented and shared each other’s enthusiasm over videos and posts that showed how giving has shaped your UIC experience.

Many donors shared why they gave. “Scholarships are important,” said Valerie Herrera BS ’05. “I would not have been able to go to college without scholarships and aid.” This sentiment was shared by Samir Salamah BS ‘82, who noted that the education he received at UIC “has been an important contributor” to his career successes.

Alexia Hieber Johnson MA ‘07 DNP ‘17, associate chief nursing officer for UI Health, gave “to support our patients and foster our mission of caring for the community.” And Joseph E. Merrill BA ‘87 lauded the university’s growth and evolution throughout the years. “The success and wellbeing of the students is always front and center,” he said. “It gives me hope for our future.”

These and other contributions spotlighted the incredible spirit of UIC while advancing the university’s mission to provide the broadest access to the highest levels of academic, research and clinical excellence. This is only the beginning, and the spark lit during this inaugural giving day carries momentum into future ones as we expand opportunity; fuel innovation; and strengthen the impact of scholarships, groundbreaking research and world-class patient care. Thank you for making your mark.