Fiscal Year 2025 Update

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

The transformative power of your investment

Dear Friends of ACES,

In my first months as Assistant Dean for Advancement, I’ve been inspired by the incredible generosity of our ACES community. Your support is vital to our college’s continued leadership in addressing today’s most pressing challenges in agriculture, food, human development, and the environment. Every gift strengthens our ability to prepare our students, advance science, and serve communities across Illinois and around the world.

Your belief in ACES is a powerful reflection of your trust in our mission. Together, we’re creating a future rooted in innovation and shared purpose. We’re proud to have you as members of the ACES family, and I look forward to all we will accomplish in the years ahead.

With gratitude,

Maggie Wave

Assistant Dean for Advancement
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

$21,687,037

Dollars raised

4,723

Donors

1,042

First-time donors

New funds supporting scholarships, fellowships, and named faculty positions

$4,199,307

Unrestricted dollars raised

New current use and endowment funds

Data reflects Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) and is current as of August 1, 2025.

Stuart Levenick (left) and Nancy Levenick (right) smiling and standing on the south quad.

Illinois receives gift to establish the Levenick Center for a Climate-Smart Circular Bioeconomy

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has announced the creation of the Levenick Center for a Climate-Smart Circular Bioeconomy, the first such named center in the U.S. funded by a generous $10 million gift from Stuart L. (ACES ’76) and Nancy J. Levenick. The Center is housed in the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE), the cross-campus home for interdisciplinary science that tackles sustainability challenges and mitigation of climate change. Read more.

ACES alumni board supporting the best and brightest

Since 1978, the Jonathan Baldwin Turner (JBT) Scholar program has recognized a group of talented students each year from the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. Eight years ago, the ACES Alumni Board established a JBT scholarship as a collaborative effort, enabling current and past board members to come together to support a JBT student. Since then, the board has remained committed to supporting the JBT program. This year, their impact was particularly significant, as they supported two students in meaningful ways. Read more.

ACES Alumni Board standing and posing on the staircase inside the ACES Funk Library.

Farmer at heart and lawyer by trade: Remembering Steve Gerdes

The world lost a humble giant on July 30, 2023. Steve Gerdes (ACES ’77) was a man of boundless dreams and even greater determination. In 1973, Steve applied to the College of Agriculture — now the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. He found great success in his educational pursuits and was a generous supporter of charitable funds at ACES honoring his two mentors, the Thomas L. Frey Advising and Student Enrichment Endowment Fund and the Warren K. Wessels Achievement Award which recognizes high-achieving seniors. Steve’s deep love for farming, family, community, and life itself was evident in everything he did and continues to inspire through the legacy he leaves behind. Read more.

How 4-H shaped a lifetime of service for Bea Bagby

For Beatrice H. Bagby (ACES ’74), known to most as Bea, 4-H wasn’t just a club. It was a lifeline. A spark. A community. And ultimately, a calling. Bea found Illinois 4-H in the wake of unimaginable grief. In May 1946, her mother passed away. Bea was just 12 years old. In 1951, she attended the second Illinois State 4-H Junior Leadership Conference at 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello. That week made a lasting impression — from the leadership lessons to the quiet dignity of the evensong ceremony, held at dusk from inside the Allerton House. Over the years, Bea returned to Memorial Camp many times — as a 4-H member, University of Illinois Extension employee, mentor, conference organizer, and donor. Read more.

Black and white photo from the 1951 4-H Junior Leadership Conference, where a young Beatrice Hill (now Beatrice H. Bagby) represented McDonough County.

New U. of I. scholarship honors Washington County farmer, journalist Phil B. Jones

The family of Phil B. Jones (ACES ’58), a respected Washington County farmer and community leader, is pleased to announce the creation of the Phil B. Jones Family Scholarship to support local high school students pursuing degrees in agriculture, communications, and related fields at the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The scholarship honors the life and legacy of Phil B. Jones, who earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a master’s degree in journalism from the U. of I. He began his career at Successful Farming magazine before returning to the family farm in Washington County with his wife, Judy, and their children, Susi, Ed, and Jim. Known for his belief in the power of education, Phil encouraged young people to pursue higher education by taking advantage of scholarships and grants to make college more affordable. Read more.

Continue Your Support

Donors ensure that the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences remains a place where access meets excellence to shape a better future. Thank you for opening doors, changing lives, and building a legacy of impact.

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