Lisa Whelpley, Director of Annual Giving
- Phone: 217.206.6058
- E-mail: whelpley.lisa@uis.edu
I am responsible for annual giving throughout the UIS campus. Before starting in this position in February 2001, I served as Development Director for the Central Illinois Foodbank for 4 1/2 years.
What I enjoy most about my role at UIS:
My job is the perfect position for me. It involves a lot of planning, followed by a lot of analysis to see which appeals work best. My favorite part of my job is talking to students and faculty to find out how gifts help them, and then getting the word out to alumni and friends to encourage them to support UIS.
My educational background:
I earned a M.S. in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois, and my B.S. and B.A. degrees from Miami University.
Why education matters:
I love learning, and every time you learn something new, you find out there’s even more to know. Higher education moves from rote learning to application of knowledge and, better yet, to individual thinking, conversation, and debate. That’s when we can really imagine and create a better world.
A college professor who meant a lot:
William C. Flint on Miami University’s Sociology faculty. He gave me confidence to show and act on my sense of justice and compassion.
Best thing about UIS:
UIS professors really know and care about their students, and it’s always been that way since our founding as SSU in 1970. As part of the University of Illinois, our students, faculty and staff have tools and resources that a school of similar size and youth would not necessarily have.
A program at UIS I care deeply about:
The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project does amazing work with a small staff and budget. The fact that they involve undergraduates in the process of freeing the wrongly convicted makes UIS the perfect place for this program.
The gift I’ll always remember: Helping my friend Delinda Chapman establish the John E. Erickson Memorial Scholarship in memory of her husband and my friend John’s name.
Personal:
I grew up on a farm in northwest-central Iowa, where my parents still live. I have lived in Springfield since 1996.
What most people don’t know about me:
My passion is planning vacations and events. If you tell me about an upcoming party, trip, wedding shower, meeting, etc., watch out or I might try to take over your planning process!
My favorite book:
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
What I’m reading now:
I read so much that I could never keep this site current. But send me an E-mail and we can become “friends” on www.goodreads.com and we can share our current and past reading lists.
My favorite movies:
Anything heavy on conversation over action, especially Before Sunrise and Before Sunset.
My favorite sports team:
Whatever teams my son is playing on!
Contact Info:
If you have questions about UIS, annual giving, or the UIS Fund, please feel free to contact me.
