University Housing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has received a $1.7 million estate gift from alumna and University Housing retiree, Marilyn Michal. This extraordinary gift will be used to establish the Marilyn Michal Fund for the Illinois Residence Hall Association, fund student scholarships and awards for the Central Black Student Union and the National Residence Hall Honorary, and further cultivate University Housing student-centered experiences with emphases on academic achievement, personal development, and global awareness.
“We are incredibly grateful to receive a contribution of this magnitude,” said Alma R. Sealine, executive director of University Housing. “This profoundly generous and optimistic gift will enable University Housing to continue providing experiences that enhance the growth and development of our students and create the conditions essential for student engagement and active learning outside the classroom.”
Marilyn Michal graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in management from the Gies College of Business in 1963 and a master’s degree in education in 1970. During graduate school, she served as a resident hall advisor. Her work with students evolved into a 35-year career in University Housing, where she retired as the assistant director of Residential Life for University Housing in 1999.
“This gift illustrates the innate passion and dedication of University Housing staff and acknowledges the value of the on-campus residential experience,” said Danita M. B. Young, vice chancellor for student affairs. “Ms. Michal’s generosity will change lives and shape futures for years to come.”
“This is wonderful news for Student Affairs and for University Housing, but most of all, it is our students who will benefit from this gift,” said Robert J. Jones, chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “This investment will help more students to explore all we have to offer here, but it also pays tribute to the critical and often unrecognized role Housing staff have in preparing Illinois students for a lifetime of service and success.”
University Housing is an essential element of the Illinois experience. Serving as the on-campus home for over 11,000 students, University Housing communities—26 residence halls and three apartment communities—are designed to inspire academic and personal success during college and beyond.