On May 4, Illinois State hosted its second annual Gratitude Gala to honor donors from several of Illinois State University’s giving societies. At the Gala, the University presented four awards to recognize donors’ outstanding philanthropic achievements.
The event and awards celebrate the generosity and philanthropic commitment of some of the University’s greatest ambassadors. Their dedication to the continued growth of Illinois State will advance the University for years to come.
Redbird Philanthropist Award
Wonsook Kim ’75, M.A. ’76, MFA ’78, and Thomas Clement
The Redbird Philanthropist Award recognizes an individual or couple who demonstrates outstanding civic responsibility to Illinois State University through voluntary commitment of their time, talent, and financial contributions. Recipients of this award have also served in leadership roles, provided vision, and involved others in philanthropic activity.
An internationally acclaimed artist, Wonsook Kim was named the Artist of the Year by the United Nations in 1995. Throughout her career, she has had over 64 solo exhibitions in Normal, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Korea, Tokyo, Germany, Bulgaria, Brazil, Mexico, and Madrid. Her husband Thomas Clement founded Mectra Labs, a bio-technology company that develops various medical devices from concept to final production, including laparoscopic surgical instruments and other products used in cancer therapies and cardiovascular, brain, and ENT surgeries. He has personally observed more than 2,000 surgeries in the U.S. and has been invited to humanitarian missions to lecture, train, and share expertise with surgeons. Clement holds more than 70 U.S. patents with additional patents pending.
In 2019, Kim and Clement made a $12 million gift—the largest outright gift commitment in university history—to Illinois State in support of the College of Fine Arts and the School of Art. In recognition of the couple’s remarkable generosity, Illinois State University announced the College of Fine Arts and the School of Art will forever be known as the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and the Wonsook Kim School of Art. Kim and Clement’s investment in the future of Illinois State provides students and faculty with a plethora of resources. The couple established three named professorships in honor of Harold Boyd, Harold Gregor, and Ken Holder, faculty who shaped Kim’s artistic journey. Their gift also supports strategic initiatives of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and Wonsook Kim School of Art, including updates to technology and supplies, visiting artists and professors, student scholarships, and international engagement and collaboration. Additionally, their gift enhances the facilities in the college with updates to studio spaces, practice rooms, and flexible learning spaces.
Kim and Clement continue to invest in Illinois State and their generosity will be felt for generations of Redbirds.
Investor in Excellence Award
State Farm®
The Investor in Excellence Award recognizes a corporation, foundation, or organization that demonstrates philanthropic support of Illinois State University’s mission, vision, and values. These donors invest in Redbird talent and student success by way of advisory board roles, speaking engagements, recruitment fairs, and more.
Since 1969, State Farm has been a fervent supporter of Illinois State. State Farm is the University’s largest corporate supporter, and the company’s dedication to the University and its students goes beyond their visionary financial gifts. The corporation provides not only essential funding to Illinois State’s cybersecurity program, the SOAR Scholar Academy (Supporting Opportunity, Actualization, and Realization), and the Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management, but its scholarships also reach students across the University. State Farm’s leaders also partake in speaking engagements, mentorship opportunities, and advisory board positions across campus and within the Lab Schools.
State Farm has impacted Illinois State students and its campus for more than 50 years. The company’s unwavering commitment to supporting education and enhancing Illinois State is evident in their continuous gifts of time, talent, and treasure.
Innovation in Philanthropy Award
Wheeler Foundation
The Innovation in Philanthropy Award recognizes a donor who demonstrates creativity in their philanthropic efforts. Such donors have established a new initiative, expanded the University’s reach, or benefitted a new discipline.
The Wheeler Foundation’s mission is to provide grants for projects that serve individuals with special needs. When leaders in the Department of Special Education sought an innovative solution to teacher shortages, they developed a statewide, online program for special education paraprofessionals to help them earn their bachelor’s degree and teaching license in special education. The Wheeler Foundation generously supported the creation of this program which will fully support 60 individuals completing the program over the next four years. The program is designed to accelerate completion of a teaching certificate. Nontraditional students, including fully employed parents and non-college-aged individuals, can achieve a teaching certificate online in just two years. A scholarship supports tuition, fees, materials, and technology for recipients enrolled in the program. There are currently 60 students enrolled in the inaugural cohort of the Paraprofessionals Unlocking Licensure in Special Education (PULSE) program and through the support of philanthropic partners like the Wheeler Foundation, the program is expected to enroll an additional 75 students for the 2024-25 academic year.
Above and Beyond Philanthropist Award
Nancy Ridenour
The Above and Beyond Philanthropist Award recognizes an Illinois State University faculty or staff member who, in their philanthropic support of Illinois State, has gone above and beyond their professional role at the University to have an even greater impact. This year’s recipient has devoted her life to enhancing the University and leading its students.
Appointed as the University’s inaugural dean in June 1999, Dr. Nancy Ridenour, Ph.D., R.N., A.P.R.N., F.A.A.N., faced the charge of integrating a private, faith-based nursing college into a large, public institution. Ridenour worked to seamlessly integrate the Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) into the University, where it continues to flourish today. Her work from 1999 to 2007 left a long-lasting legacy, which includes obtaining the funding to establish the first Endowed Professorship in 2001, the first such position within the entire university.
In addition to her professional contributions, Ridenour has made several personal commitments to the college. She established the Ridenour Endowment for Chronic Disease to provide resources to attract and retain researchers and clinicians in the field of chronic diseases, and the Ridenour Compassion Fund (in partnership with Drake Zimmerman) to provide scholarships to nurses in the accelerated B.S.N. program. Her philanthropy also supports MCN’s “Legacy of Care” campaign through a gift to MCN’s new Simulation Center.
As the University enters a new era of growth in nursing education, Ridenour continues to provide advice and support to MCN leadership and serves as an excellent ambassador for Illinois State University. Her lifetime giving reflects her generosity and devotion to the continued growth and success of Illinois State.
These recipients represent just a few of the many generous donors who comprise Illinois State’s recognition societies. Together, these donors and the thousands who give annually position the University for limitless success.
