Celebrating Impact:
How UIC Donors Are Changing Lives
At the University of Illinois Chicago, every gift tells a story. Our generous donors are the heroes behind groundbreaking research, life-changing scholarships and community health initiatives that uplift students, faculty, patients and neighborhoods across Chicago and beyond. Through these inspiring donor stories, discover how your support fuels progress and leaves a lasting legacy. Because at UIC, giving isn’t just about making a donation, it’s about making a difference.
Change Starts With You
Troy Edwards JD ’25 and Diane Ihezie Edwards have carved out unique, value-driven paths to success at UIC. Whether making sure that ER patients receive equitable care, or mentoring young lawyers so that opportunity is paid forward, the couple sees excellence and advocating in their community as one in the same.
Beyond the Court
Sara E. Wynes BA ’98 found support, community and memories that never left her on the UIC women’s basketball team. Years later, after transitioning from standout player to family law attorney, she made her first gift to the university during Give a Spark to help lay the groundwork for future student-athletes.
Cultivating a Legacy
Bob Atkins, Don Atkins and Peggy Stuckey created the Robert A. Atkins Memorial Courtyard at the College of Medicine and the Robert A. Atkins Lectureship in Surgical Innovation in Clinical Practice in the Department of Surgery with a gift in honor of their late father Robert Atkins’ BS ’44, MD ’45.
Good Things Can Happen
Herb Paaren BS ’71, MS ’73, PhD ’76, a synthetic organic chemist and pharmaceutical manufacturing company principal and co-founder, gave $2 million gift for the construction the forthcoming Drug Discovery and Cancer Research Pavilion at UIC.
What’s in a Name?
With a transformational gift from the Retzky estate, UIC College of Pharmacy quadrupled its merit-based scholarship pool and doubled down on its commitment to equity and clinical excellence. It also became the Herbert M. and Carol H. Retzky College of Pharmacy to honor the couple’s lasting impact.
Alumnus Establishes Endowed Professorship
Constantine “Dean” Mihas BS ’88, together with his family, has established the Mihas Endowed Professorship in Finance in the College of Business. This $1 million gift will acknowledge and support the research activity of an exceptional faculty member.
Celebrating Impact:
How UIC Donors Are Changing Lives
At the University of Illinois Chicago, every gift tells a story. Our generous donors are the heroes behind groundbreaking research, life-changing scholarships and community health initiatives that uplift students, faculty, patients and neighborhoods across Chicago and beyond. Through these inspiring donor stories, discover how your support fuels progress and leaves a lasting legacy. Because at UIC, giving isn’t just about making a donation, it’s about making a difference.
Change Starts With You
Troy Edwards JD ’25 and Diane Ihezie Edwards have carved out unique, value-driven paths to success at UIC. Whether making sure that ER patients receive equitable care, or mentoring young lawyers so that opportunity is paid forward, the couple sees excellence and advocating in their community as one in the same.
Beyond the Court
Sara E. Wynes BA ’98 found support, community and memories that never left her on the UIC women’s basketball team. Years later, after transitioning from standout player to family law attorney, she made her first gift to the university during Give a Spark to help lay the groundwork for future student-athletes.
Cultivating a Legacy
Bob Atkins, Don Atkins and Peggy Stuckey created the Robert A. Atkins Memorial Courtyard at the College of Medicine and the Robert A. Atkins Lectureship in Surgical Innovation in Clinical Practice in the Department of Surgery with a gift in honor of their late father Robert Atkins’ BS ’44, MD ’45.
Good Things Can Happen
Herb Paaren BS ’71, MS ’73, PhD ’76, a synthetic organic chemist and pharmaceutical manufacturing company principal and co-founder, gave $2 million gift for the construction the forthcoming Drug Discovery and Cancer Research Pavilion at UIC.
What’s in a Name?
With a transformational gift from the Retzky estate, UIC College of Pharmacy quadrupled its merit-based scholarship pool and doubled down on its commitment to equity and clinical excellence. It also became the Herbert M. and Carol H. Retzky College of Pharmacy to honor the couple’s lasting impact.
Alumnus Establishes Endowed Professorship
Constantine “Dean” Mihas BS ’88, together with his family, has established the Mihas Endowed Professorship in Finance in the College of Business. This $1 million gift will acknowledge and support the research activity of an exceptional faculty member.
