Grainger Engineering Weekend
On Friday, September 13, 2019, The Grainger College of Engineering celebrated the historic gift that named our college and the connection that started over 100 years ago with William W. Grainger. Members of campus leadership honored this historic moment and shared the impact that The Grainger Foundation’s over $300 million in support has had on our campus and the new opportunities that will arise from their generosity. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends of the University of Illinois, as well as representatives from The Grainger Foundation joined us to celebrate.
The following Saturday, we took over Grange Grove before the Illinois vs Eastern Michigan football, and turned it into "Grainger Grove." The tailgating area featured 20 student-organized, interactive booths showcasing innovation from the college. Thousands of visitors come through—including local K-12 students and teachers, Scout troops from throughout central Illinois, fans, donors, alumni, friends, and families.
Watch the ceremony below and view more images from the weekend on our Facebook page.
“The Grainger Foundation’s legacy can be seen across our campus. They have invested in our outstanding students, brilliant faculty, groundbreaking research, and capital projects to support our unmatched innovation. Their generosity is transforming engineering education, creating opportunities for generations of students and future leaders, and advancing our researchers’ abilities to impact the world. The Grainger Foundation’s over $300 million in support, is an investment in our bold vision for the future and we are grateful that they have entrusted us with this gift.”
Rashid Bashir, Dean
Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering
Professor of Bioengineering