Supporting Excellence at Illinois State University

The Illinois State University Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that manages the private gifts that are given to the University each year. These dollars support many student scholarships, professorships, research, and other opportunities for students of Illinois State. Not only does the Foundation manage the portfolio investments of the University’s endowment, but it also is in charge of distributing dollars to fulfill the wishes of our loyal alumni and friends who support the University. The Foundation ensures that money given to Illinois State is used as the donor intended and is consistent with the mission of the University.

Mission Statement: "To elevate Illinois State University through the power of philanthropy."

Vision Statement: "To allow Illinois State University to dream big and to achieve those dreams."

Gifts of money, property, historic papers, art, or other items of educational, artistic, or historic value, are entrusted to the Foundation to ensure a brighter future for students and faculty. Whatever your passion, the board of the Illinois State University Foundation works to ensure that your gifts support those passions for future generations of Illinois State students.

Board of Directors

Officers

Eric Burwell '90, Chair
Principal, Burwell Management Company
Mary Ann Webb '78, Vice Chair
Retired Partner, Sulaski & Webb, CPA
James Knecht '68, Secretary
Judge, 4th District Appellate Court
William England '77, Treasurer
Retired Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Board Members

Greg Ayers '90
Ann Baughan '83
Retired VP of Operations, State Farm Insurance
David Brown
Partner, Hansen, McClintock and Riley Attorneys
Shari Buckellew MBA '01
Executive Director of Business Operations, St. John's Lutheran Church
Steven Denault '87
Executive Vice President, COUNTRY Financial
Zack Fortsch '83
Retired Partner, RSM
Gary Gemberling '63
CPA, Gemberling and Associates
joyce gillie gossom '78
The Princess, Best Gurl, Inc.
Benjamin Hart '95
Executive VP of Administration, Heritage Enterprises
Michael Jones '92
Retired Vice President, State Farm
Colleen Kannaday
President, Carle BroMenn Medical Center and Carle Eureka Hospital
Dan Kelley '70
Retired President, GROWMARK
Joseph Loss '73
Managing Partner, Loss & Pavone Attorneys
Ed Manley '79, M.S. '83
Retired Consultant & Senior Curriculum Manager, Microsoft Corporation
Jack North
Retired Senior Executive VP, State Farm
Thomas Reedy '81
Senior Managing Partner, Dillon Kane Group
John Rigas '81
Retired Co-Founder, Microsystems
Trish Roark '85
Retired Operations Vice President, State Farm
Robert Rush '68, M.S. '79
Retired Executive VP, COUNTRY Trust Bank
Carl Sneed '72, M.S. '73
Retired VP/Chief Lending Officer, State Farm Bank
Ron Thein '89
Vice President - Financial Operations, State Farm
Derek Vogler '93, MBA '95
VP of Investment, COUNTRY Trust Bank
Larry Williams '77, M.S. '79
Agent, State Farm Insurance

Ex-Officio Members

Aondover Tarhule
Interim President,
Illinois State University
Darren Tillis
Board of Trustees Representative, Illinois State University
Pat Vickerman
VP for University Advancement, Illinois State University
Ani Yazedjian
Acting VP for Academic Affairs and Provost, Illinois State University