Students, faculty, and staff at University of Illinois System universities, as well as alumni, will help determine who receives a unique new award for positively impacting humanity.
The Dr. Tai R. Shin and Mrs. You H. Shin Humanitarian Award allows the honoree to in turn award $50,000 to a department or program in the U of I System. Honoree nominations based on award criteria are due May 1.
“We have always been interested in promoting humanity by mutually respecting and dignifying one another to help ultimately enhance peace and love,” the Shins said. “We hope this gift and award will help recognize others who are doing this work.”
Tai R. (Terry) Shin and You H. (Catherine) Shin pledged $2 million last year to establish the award. Catherine passed away in early 2023.
“We are honored the Shins established this humanitarian award and appreciate their continued loyalty and support,” U of I System President Tim Killeen said. “This gift is particularly important because it provides recognition for our alumni, faculty, and others who are respected individuals devoted to making our world a better place.”
The Shin Humanitarian Award recognizes those who promote the betterment of society; exhibit courage and integrity to better lives; improve environmental sustainability; take action on equality issues; or strive in other ways to protect and promote human rights.
The preference is for Shin Humanitarian Award recipients to be alumni of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), the University of Illinois Chicago, or the University of Illinois Springfield.
Terry Shin, who has a master’s and a doctorate in food science and human nutrition from the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences at UIUC, founded Swagger Foods Corporation in 1978. He steadily grew the business to supply a wide range spices and dry foods to industrial and retail customers. Dr. and Mrs. Shin’s other notable philanthropic contributions include scholarships and a gift to UIUC for its Food Science & Human Nutrition Pilot Processing Plant renovation.
Shin Humanitarian Award honorees will be invited to present a lecture or a program at one of the universities and will be encouraged to engage in meaningful dialogue with students, faculty, and staff during their visit.
For more information about the new award, please contact U of I System Senior Assistant Vice President Julian Parrott, chair of the Shin Award Committee, at jparrott@uillinois.edu.
To learn more about endowment and other ways to give, contact the University of Illinois Foundation.
