The 1867 Society and Student Alumni Ambassadors partnered up with several campus groups to plan events for the first annual “I Love Illinois” Week to celebrate the 146th anniversary of the University’s founding.
Katie Chan, president of The 1867 Society and junior in Business, said the idea came from a conference The 1867 Society attended in July about the promotion of campus life and philanthropy. The organization has been planning for “I Love Illinois” Week since August.
“We have Homecoming week, and during the spring semester, we don’t have anything to look forward to,” Chan said. “I wanted to bring a concept that incorporates school pride.”
To kick off this weeklong event, on Monday, members of The 1867 Society and Student Alumni Ambassadors, will pass out 500 free shirts at the Ikenberry Commons. Throughout “I Love Illinois Week,” co-sponsors of the event will give away spirit wear and other University-related freebies at various locations on campus.
For example, on Wednesday, known as Founder’s Day, The 1867 Society, Student Alumni Ambassadors, Uniting Illini and the Illinos Student Senate will distribute blue and orange cupcakes on the Quad.
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Chan’s main reason for creating the event was to educate students about the University’s birthday.
“Students fail to realize when the University’s birthday is,” Chan said. “It should be a significant date that is true to students’ hearts.”
The event will conclude on Friday at the ARC, where The 1867 Society will host an Illini Trivia and “Be a Giving Student” Tournament.
Damani Bolden, student senator and junior in ACES, said he saw this week as a way for students to thank the University for all the opportunities it offers.
“The mission of this week is for students to give back for the institution that has given so much, such as world-class research and top education,” Bolden said.
Dominique Ghess, freshman in DGS, agreed that the anniversary is important to acknowledge and honor.
“Being a student at this University means that I have a chance to build a future and take advantage of the plentiful resources I am offered,” Ghess said.
Bolden said this event will give students the opportunity to show their school spirit.
“U of I is truly a family. Our University has pride far beyond any Big Ten or any institution in the nation,” Bolden said. “The love and commitment that every U of I student has for their alma mater is always illustrated, and Love Illinois Week gives us that opportunity to celebrate.”
Yele can be reached at [email protected].
