Next President Chosen to Lead U of I Foundation

The next president of the University of Illinois Foundation says greater philanthropic efforts are key to the university’s future.

Thomas Farrell starts as the head of the foundation on Jan. 1, 2013, replacing Sid Mickek.

Farrell, who is a former vice president for alumni relations and development at the University of Chicago, said he is excited about his new role.

“When you look at the breadth of programs and opportunities and work that’s going on at the University of Illinois, there’s a real chance for someone to come in and take a really good program from a philanthropic point of view and to try to help connect that mission and that impact to a greater sense of how philanthropy can make a difference going forward,” Farrell said

The University of Illinois’ foundation recently completed the nearly $2.5 billion Brilliant Futures campaign. U of I President Robert Easter said philanthropy and private giving play an increasingly important role.