UIC Corporate Partner Award

2012 Recipient

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Accepting on behalf of Illinois Tool Works Inc.: Roland Martel

James Wooten ’78 LAS
Retired senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, Illinois Tool Works Inc.

James Wooten saw a connection between Illinois Tool Works Inc. and UIC engineering students – the company could expand the diversity of its global work force, and graduates could be employed in a burgeoning industry. Wooten, however, wanted more than a business relationship with the University; he wanted a partnership. His vision grew into a $1.2 million gift from the ITW Foundation to convert four teaching labs in the colleges of LAS and Engineering into state-of-the-art facilities. The company also regularly participates in UIC job fairs and offers internships to UIC students.

Peter Nelson, professor and dean of the College of Engineering, says, “Students see the ITW logo as they enter these named labs and understand that this Illinois-based industrial giant has a direct interest in their education and success and offers them potential careers.”