Dana Yun

Dana Yun

Grainger Engineer, 2022

My parents moved to the United States to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I was born and raised here, so the University of Illinois is my home and all I have ever known. The scholarships I received definitely pushed me to enroll in The Grainger College of Engineering. With the same cost, or lower, I was able to get a prestigious education at one of the top schools in the nation.

I entered Materials Science and Engineering, not knowing exactly what I wanted to study, but determined to contribute to humanitarian research; water desalination, sustainable materials, and other projects that contribute to a greener world! This amazing gift has allowed me to get more involved and gain experience that will help me to a successful future.

Having my tuition partially taken care of has been a great relief from the stress we have been living in. With all the stresses my family has been dealing with, this is one area that we don't have to worry about. Especially during the current times, I am SO grateful my family does not have to worry about this aspect of my life. With my brother having just graduated and my sister in her first year at university, it has been a lot to juggle. My scholarship support has allowed me to make the most of my university experience -- not just with classes, but with research, extracurricular activities, and interpersonal relationships.