The Illini Club of Will County

Formed in 2005, The Illini Club of Will County is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's alumni club serving the area of Will County, Illinois.

A formerly rural area southwest of Chicago, Illinois, Will County, Illinois is constantly rated among the fastest growing counties in the United States, and has been projected to double in population in the years 2005-2010. According to statistics provided by the University, nearly 4,000 residents of Will County have attended the university or are eligible members of the organization, and the number grows each year.

The Illini Club of Will County is devoted to advancing scholarship opportunities for students in Will County, as well as providing networking and social opportunities for alumni of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Founding members of the organization were Mark Lichtenwalter, Class of 1992; Mark Grzeskowiak, Class of 1993; and Kathleen Kinsella; Class Withheld.

The Club held its first meeting in November of 2005. Inaugural officers appointed were Mark Lichtenwalter, President; Mark Grzeskowiak, Vice President; Kathleen Kinsella, Treasurer; Paul Kalafut, Scholarship Chairman; Eric Hanson, Membership Chairman; and Jay North, Secretary.

During its inaugural year, the Club awarded its first ever Scholarship to Kimberly Mason of Shorewood, Illinois, a senior at Minooka High School. In an unusual showing for a first year organization, over 350 applications were received for the $4,000 Scholarship Award ($1,000 a year per year). Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar was the keynote speaker at the inaugural Scholarship Dinner, held in May, 2006. The Club plans to award a similar scholarship each May.

On June 14, 2007, the Club held its Second Annual Scholarship Dinner. Keynote speaker was Illini Head Football Coach Ron Zook. Krista Turey of Crete Monee High School became the second Scholarship Award Winner. Edward Dollinger, Edward Jones Investments, was named Alumni Achievement Award Winner for 2007--for his charitable success in Will County.

Information about the organization is available at as well as through e-mail at the following address: [mailto:WillCountyIllini@gmail.com]WillCountyIllini@gmail.com.

See also Illinois Fighting Illini

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