Dear colleagues,

Across the country, today is Employee Appreciation Day, which provides me with the perfect opportunity to say something I can never say too often: Thank you!

Every day, you support each other’s individual and our collective growth — keeping our communities thriving, supporting your colleagues, and making sure our students, faculty, researchers, and leaders have what they need to do their best work. You answer the calls, solve the problems, and show up with diligence and dedication to make it possible for the University of Illinois System to provide a world-class education for our more than 101,000 students, to conduct research that changes lives for the better, and to help Illinois and its people stride boldly into a prosperous future.

None of what we accomplish happens without you. You power the system that powers Illinois.

At our Board of Trustees meeting on March 19, I will be recognizing the essential role staff play in powering this incredible university system. But I didn’t want to wait until then to say it directly to each of you.

You make me proud every single day to be part of the U of I System. Thank you for everything you do.

President Tim Killeen