The Legacy Society

Ensuring excellence beyond a lifetime

The Legacy Society of The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign honors and celebrates the generosity of planned giving donors. Members have included Grainger Engineering in their estate plans, creating a meaningful legacy for future generations. Legacy Society donors are united by their shared generosity and commitment to a world beyond their lifetimes. Their stories inspire others to consider the transformational impact of a planned gift—one that strengthens opportunities for Grainger engineers long into the future.

Your legacy, their launchpad

The James B. Busey, IV Scholarship Endowment Fund, funded through generous contributions and an estate gift from Retired Navy Admiral Busey, provides scholarships to undergraduate students at the University of Illinois. Admiral Busey was a native of Urbana, Illinois. After graduating from Urbana High School, he attended U. of I. for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

Alex (’26, B.S., Aerospace)

Alex has always held an interest in transportation from airplanes to buses to railways. “Being given a problem, designing something to fix it and putting that solution into action was an incredibly rewarding process for me …” He chose Grainger Engineering for its excellent reputation, fantastic programs and location. He worried about the financial strain of pursuing a college degree and describes his scholarship as a great relief and a privilege. “Because of the scholarship I have received, I was even able to participate in a short-term study abroad program in Brazil this past summer. That experience was incredibly impactful, exposing me to engineering work across cultures, and it is one that I will never forget.”

Aparna (’26, B.S., Physics)

Aparna chose Grainger Engineering because of the opportunities available to undergraduate students including research, internship recruitment and student organizations. She entered Grainger Engineering as a bioengineering major. Through required coursework, she realized her passion for studying the science of the world on a fundamental level and changed her major to physics. Her scholarship allows her to pursue academic and leadership goals with fewer financial concerns. Knowing she has that support “… is truly inspiring and reminds me of how important it is to give back to my community and stay connected to my roots. I hope to someday help future Grainger students by reducing their burdens so they can fully pursue their passions and encourage them to be their best selves, just as my donors have done for me.”

Inspiring stories of legacy donors

Behind every planned gift is a story. From honoring faculty who encouraged innovative exploration to sharing the gifts of an extraordinary career to giving back to an institution that supported them in a time of need, remembering Grainger Engineering in estate plans continues a legacy of excellence and creates opportunities for the next generation and beyond.

Recruiting the brightest and best learners and leaders

A $12.25 million gift supports student excellence and honors one of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s most well-known innovators and educators.

The Holoynak gift reflects Nick and Katherine’s long-standing belief in the power of higher education to positively impact students and society at large. Their legacy inspires us as we educate students and conduct research that changes the world for the better."

Rashid Bashir, Dean of Grainger Engineering

Enhancing educational excellence

A passion for higher education combined with a desire to continue a legacy will result in the first named department headship in The Grainger College of Engineering — the Alva L. and Sandra R. Addy Head of Mechanical Science and Engineering.

Tad loved the field of engineering. He understood the impact of education and the value of well-educated young engineers. He could talk about the difference a gift would make with great passion. He walked the talk and that gave him a lot of credibility.”

Sandra Addy (’63, B.S. , ’67 M.S. , ’74 Ph.D., Education)

Explore planned giving options

Every planned gift begins with a conversation. Whether you want to support students, advance research or champion the causes you care about most, there are options that let you provide for your loved ones and give back to the college that shaped you.

Learn more