On October 9, 2025, UIC showcased the power of philanthropy and community — proof that giving to UIC is an investment in lives that shape the world.
“We see student success as an investment in our shared future.”
With these words, Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda welcomed guests to An Evening with Legacies & Leaders, held Oct. 9, 2025, at the Chicago Cultural Center. The event honored the donors and alumni who fuel UIC’s mission — and the students whose lives are transformed by it.
The evening unfolded as a celebration of access and excellence, ambition and gratitude. Alejandra Garza BA ’88, governing director of the University of Illinois Foundation, set the tone: “When you’ve been given opportunities, knowledge or resources, you carry a responsibility to extend them to others.” Garza credited UIC with giving her not just an education, but a sense of purpose and belonging, one she now pays forward through mentorship and philanthropy.
That same spirit was articulated by Quinn Ruiz BA ’24, graduate student and midfielder on the women’s soccer team whose scholarship opened doors to graduate research in environmental justice at UIC’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA). “In the spring, I’ll graduate debt-free,” she said. “That scholarship didn’t just fund my education. It opened doors my grandparents could only dream of.”
For donors in the room, these stories weren’t abstract. They were proof that their gifts had become catalysts for transformation. The evening offered a rare glimpse into the lives they’ve helped shape: students launching careers, faculty building pathways and a university setting the standard.
Thomas A. Searles, associate professor in the College of Engineering, spoke of UIC’s power to create professional pathways for students from underserved communities. “This isn’t just about keeping pace — it’s about launching careers,” he said.
UIC’s urban mission is its strength, said UI System President Timothy L. Killeen, citing research on climate resilience and the university’s vital medical enterprise. Chancellor Miranda emphasized the university’s momentum: rising applications, enrollment, retention and research funding — all in the face of national headwinds for higher education.
Looking ahead, Miranda cited priorities in research infrastructure, community engagement, partnerships and student support as the foundation for continued growth.
“Thank you for the trust and confidence you’re placing in us,” she said in closing. “We take this responsibility seriously.”
On October 9, 2025, UIC showcased the power of philanthropy and community — proof that giving to UIC is an investment in lives that shape the world.
For donors in the room, these stories weren’t abstract. They were proof that their gifts had become catalysts for transformation. The evening offered a rare glimpse into the lives they’ve helped shape: students launching careers, faculty building pathways and a university setting the standard.
Thomas A. Searles, associate professor in the College of Engineering, spoke of UIC’s power to create professional pathways for students from underserved communities. “This isn’t just about keeping pace — it’s about launching careers,” he said.
UIC’s urban mission is its strength, said UI System President Timothy L. Killeen, citing research on climate resilience and the university’s vital medical enterprise. Chancellor Miranda emphasized the university’s momentum: rising applications, enrollment, retention and research funding — all in the face of national headwinds for higher education.
Looking ahead, Miranda cited priorities in research infrastructure, community engagement, partnerships and student support as the foundation for continued growth.
“Thank you for the trust and confidence you’re placing in us,” she said in closing. “We take this responsibility seriously.”
“We see student success as an investment in our shared future.”
With these words, Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda welcomed guests to An Evening with Legacies & Leaders, held Oct. 9 at the Chicago Cultural Center. The event honored the donors and alumni who fuel UIC’s mission — and the students whose lives are transformed by it.
The evening unfolded as a celebration of access and excellence, ambition and gratitude. Alejandra Garza BA ’88, governing director of the University of Illinois Foundation, set the tone: “When you’ve been given opportunities, knowledge or resources, you carry a responsibility to extend them to others.” Garza credited UIC with giving her not just an education, but a sense of purpose and belonging, one she now pays forward through mentorship and philanthropy.
That same spirit was articulated by Quinn Ruiz BA ’24, a midfielder on the women’s soccer team whose scholarship opened doors to graduate research in environmental justice at UIC’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA). “In the spring, I’ll graduate debt-free,” she said. “That scholarship didn’t just fund my education. It opened doors my grandparents could only dream of.”
