Our stories
The best people to tell you about Illinois are the people who already work here. We hope you enjoy reading about their experiences. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful professionals to call coworkers.
Shawn Wax
Shawn Wax, a former athlete at Illinois, is now an Associate Athletic Director overseeing the Sports Information Office, Media and Public Relations, Ticket Office, Sales and Marketing, Alumni Relations, Development and the Big Ten Network. “In short, I manage image and revenue for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics,” says Shawn.
Shawn’s passion for Illinois is obvious. “It’s one of those places where people have high aspirations. And I mean everyone…not just campus leaders and the advancement team, but staff, students, faculty – everyone.” He even likes the challenges of the job. “I like making a difference. I like the people I work side-by-side with on a daily basis. I love working with donors who are equally passionate about our mission.”
Gentz Franz
“Sophisticated simplicity” is how Gentz Franz describes living in East Central Illinois. “My son can walk to school down our tree-lined street...which sounds very idyllic and 1956. Yet, his best friends at that school are from India and Israel. Smart, diverse, inclusive people...living in this little village we call Champaign-Urbana. Does it get any better than that?”
“As a student – I received my master’s degree here - I thought this was a special place. As an employee I am coming to an even greater appreciation of how special it is. There is an eclectic mix of thought and ambition that makes the campus and community a very vibrant and welcoming place to be.”
As Director of Development and Alumni Relations for the School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER) Gentz is charged with alumni and corporate fundraising, alumni relations and external communication. LER is a fairly small unit resulting in a bit of overlap in the administrative team. “At times I am coaching students, and the Director of Student Services is reconnecting and reengaging our alumni. It takes collaboration to operate effectively in this kind of environment, but it's a component of the job I find particularly rewarding and exciting.”
Gentz came to the University from the corporate world and tends to relate to things with that frame of mind. “The product we are selling is knowledge, or rather, access to knowledge.” Gifts make that possible.
Sara Kelley
As Assistant Dean and Director of Advancement for the College of Applied Health Sciences, Sara Kelley is charged with indentifying, cultivating and soliciting major donor prospects; planning and implementing special fundraising campaigns and college-wide alumni/donor events; implementing a comprehensive stewardship plan; managing the Alumni Board; and providing input into college-wide strategic planning and communication/outreach activities. She oversees three full-time professionals and one clerical staff member all of whom support the college's advancement activities.
For Sara the best part of the job is meeting alumni and hearing how their lives have been transformed by their Illinois experience. She enjoys learning how they have used their experiences to make life better for others. Sara adds, “It is also very satisfying to be able to help donors make meaningful gifts to their alma mater and to witness their joy in giving back.”
Sara is a living, breathing example of how Illinois promotes from within. “I was the Nutrition and Dietetics Coordinator for the Washington State University Dining and Food Services prior to coming to the U of I in 1984. At Illinois, I spent 10 years in Student Affairs with my last position as director of health education for McKinley Health Center. I moved to advancement in 1995, beginning as an assistant director of development in the College of Education, later promoted to Director of Development. I have been in my current position since 2000,” recalls Sara.
Chip Jorstad
For Chip Jorstad, working at Illinois is like returning home. “Illinois is my Alma Mater. For me, there is not a better place to work. I am very passionate about all things Illinois.”
As Director of Advancement for the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Chip is the major gift officer, coordinates all alumni relations activities and works with the College of Engineering Advancement Office to assist with Corporate Relations and Annual Fund mailings.
“The people are the best part of my job. The alumni and friends that I visit are some of the most modest, passionate, and successful people I have ever met,” remarked Chip. “Advancement is about identifying, cultivating and maintaining relationships. We represent the flagship University in the State of Illinois and that is not something to be taken lightly. Our alumni expect greatness from the University of Illinois.”
Chip and his wife, Jennifer, both work on the U of I campus and enjoy living in the Champaign-Urbana community. Between the activities here in town and the close proximity to Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis and thier hometown, Morris, the location is ideal.
Paul Osterhout
Paul Osterhout wears two hats at Illinois. He is Associate Dean for Advancement, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS), and also Associate Vice President, University of Illinois Foundation. Because LAS follows the advancement model, Paul's LAS team oversees alumni relations, communications and marketing, special events, annual giving and major gifts for the College.
Like many in this business, Paul kind of wandered into advancement. He is a musician by training, finishing his PhD in musicology at the University of Michigan in 1978. His development career started at Oakland University where, over nine years he moved from a research position through the ranks to Director of Development for the campus and Acting VP for the Foundation. He then moved to Michigan State as Chief Development Officer, Eli Broad College of Business for 6 years. He joined the University of Illinois in 1999.
Paul sees advancement as a big and increasingly important job. "To engage our alumni, make them feel connected and then gain their financial support takes time and long-term relationship building. It takes everyone working together to make it happen. Economic circumstances require universities to rely more and more on philanthropy. Being at the center of an increasingly important focus of the University is personally rewarding."
For Paul, people make the difference. "This is a people business," he states. "It's been a pleasure meeting and becoming friends with so many Illinois alumni as well as with scores of colleagues across campus.
Elizabeth Cook
Elizabeth Cook is a self-proclaimed townie. And proud of it. Elizabeth said, “My parents earned advanced degrees at Illinois and decided to make Champaign their home. It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child; in my case that village was the University of Illinois. From Saturday morning art classes sponsored by the College of Fine and Applied Arts to playing games on PLATO in the computer lab to learning about cows at the College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual open house to performing in the chorus of Hansel and Gretel at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, as a child I spent as much time on campus as I did in my own backyard.”
As Assistant Director of Annual Giving Programs for Communications Elizabeth works with units across campus to craft annul fund messages and implement a comprehensive annual fund communications plan at the campus-level.
Developing those messages comes easily to Elizabeth due in part to her connections with campus and her enthusiasm for our programs. “Illinois is a world-class public research university. I’m passionate about the exceptional education we provide to students and the transformative research that is pursued on our campus. I’m able to see on a daily basis the impact annual gifts make at Illinois.”