Birds Give Back is more than numbers

Your generosity on this day touches all areas of our thriving University and impacts every student.

A few ways your Birds Give Back gifts made an impact over the past year:

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

The Study Abroad Scholarship has made a positive impact on students like Caitlyn Perez, a sociology major. Beyond addressing tuition costs, the scholarship plays a crucial role in shaping both academic and personal growth. Your support significantly contributed to providing life-changing experiences like study abroad for Caitlyn and many other Redbirds.

WGLT Student Intern 

“My internship at WGLT has given me the chance to challenge myself. Before this, I’d never done a newscast, and I’d never edited a podcast. There are so many new tools in my belt now than when I first started. If I wasn't working at WGLT, I’d be scrambling for scholarships and another job." Lou Warner, student intern. 

Lou Warner joined WGLT in 2024, bringing creativity and versatility to the station. As a senior in ISU’s School of Communication majoring in mass media arts, Lou adds flair to on-air promos and keeps listeners informed with community updates about Central Illinois. Lou also serves as studio manager for the student-run radio station WZND. Beyond the studio, Lou is an accomplished freelance voice actor and editor whose work has earned international recognition.

College of Business

Your Birds Give Back gifts to the COB's Management Department made study abroad experiences possible for students who might not have had the opportunity. Because of you, twelve students traveled to Barbados or Romania for Faculty-Led Study Abroad programs. Eight of them did so at no cost. This transformative learning, along with support services like midterm care packages and a suicide prevention event under "Management Cares", was made possible by your donations.

School of Music 

Your generous contributions to Birds Give Back last year significantly enhanced educational experiences within the School of Music. This support enabled the School to directly bring in guest speakers and acclaimed artists, inspiring our Redbirds to new heights in their learning journey. Many areas on campus rely on your private donations to bring inspirational guests to campus each year.

Geology, Geography & the Environment 

The Geology department received more than 200 gifts from alumni, employees, parents and friends helping to provide funding for their Geology Field Camp experiences. Geology Field Camp is the capstone experience in most undergraduate geology programs. It provides students the opportunity to apply their accumulated knowledge and skills to the investigation and interpretation of unfamiliar geologic areas.

Scholarship for Students

Scholarship recipients like Zachary Shugart use the Red and White Scholarship and other student support to help them achieve their Redbird dreams. Zach was able to afford an increased class load as he was studying earth and space science teacher education and overcome medical bills, he was forced to accrue so he could complete his education on time and welcome a new baby to his family. Read more here.

Mennonite College of Nursing

Birds Give Back has helped launch or complete special projects across campus like new uniforms for the Big Red Marching Machine, launch of the Multicultural Center, Hay Rake for the ISU Farm, and a new simulation lab at ISU Mennonite College of Nursing.

Honors Program 

Students participate in the Honors Study Abroad program, exploring various destinations through the "Place as Text Model." This initiative aims to address financial barriers, facilitating cultural immersion and academic growth for students. Your support empowers Redbirds in their pursuit of knowledge and global understanding.

English Department Scholarships

" I am forever grateful for the alumni who have invested in me and my future! This scholarship has allowed some of the financial stressors that I face as a first-generation college student to be alleviated. I am thankful as it has helped with the cost of books, housing, and transportation costs between my clinical sites. I hope that this scholarship can be just as much of a service to its next recipient as it has been to me. This scholarship has made me even more eager to graduate and begin my career so that I can return the investment and support as an alumnus just as they've done for me." DaKylia Henderson, student


Redbird Athletics

Birds Give Back 2023 helped Redbird Athletics provide mental health support to over 400+student-athletes. Funds raised during the campaign enhanced resources available to
Dr. Lindsay Maxon, ISU Athletics’ sport specific mental health counselor. The funds also brought in Mark & Kym Hilinski, founders of Hilinski’s Hope, to speak to all student-athletes.

ISU Police Department & Pawfficer Sage

Birds Give Back 2023 donors supported the Illinois State University Police Department's Community Engagement unit, enhancing student development and campus safety. Sage Stuffies raised $9,136, now funding Pawfficer Sage's campus event attendance and crisis support. With over 500 events attended and 30,000 people greeted, Sage, entering her "senior year," looks forward to more community connections thanks to your contribution.