A: In 1920, the University planted 173 World War I memorial trees around the perimeter of the Armory, and extending down Sixth Street and up Pennsylvania Avenue. Unfortunately, some of
A: Because she was the greatest cow of all time. Illini Nellie (1927–1940), a Brown Swiss, became legen-dairy in the 1930s, setting records for milk and milk fat production 12
A: If you guessed Mr. Morrow, guess again. The field’s namesake, Dean of Agriculture George E. Morrow, eventually oversaw its research and made the plots famous by publishing his findings.
A: Where do I start?!? There was the squirrel in the sycamore tree by the Main Library, eating a full-size slice of pepperoni pizza. There was the one on the
A: When I was a kid, my teenage cousin took me snipe hunting in our neighborhood. It wasn’t as glamorous or inherently dangerous as wumpus hunting in the steam tunnels,
A: Indeed, there was. An American bison, it was taxidermied in the 1870s and is thought to have been displayed at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair before the University acquired
A: How much time have you got? Over the past 150-plus years, many, many majors have gone the way of the dinosaurs. Some have disappeared through changing nomenclature, while others
A: Don’t reach for your paring knife just yet—Foellinger’s pineapple is 4-1/2 feet tall and made of copper. In the mid-1980s, when Illinois renovated the nearly 80-year-old building, local contractor
A: Of course it’s true (says a fellow hopeless romantic)! Now, if I were a cynical man, I would say that the Eternal Flame is neither eternal nor a flame—that
A: One, but he’s done it twice. Ang Lee, ’80 FAA, won Best Director for Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Life of Pi (2012). (He was also nominated for Crouching Tiger,
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Become a Life Member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association and kick off the year with the ultimate wellness bundle: our exclusive 36 oz Illinois Alumni Owala water bottle and a lifetime of premium benefits—including year-round access to Active&Fit Now, alumni perks, and lifelong Illini pride.*
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Start someone’s year strong by gifting a University of Illinois Alumni Association membership—a meaningful way to support their wellness goals and celebrate their Illini connection.
Whether you choose an annual or life membership, your gift includes an exclusive 36 oz Illinois Alumni-branded Owala water bottle and access to standout benefits like Active&Fit Now—offering top gym discounts, on-demand workouts, and 1‑on‑1 virtual wellness coaching.*
It’s the perfect surprise for any Illini who’s ready to feel good, stay connected, and power into 2026 with orange and blue energy.
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The Illini are heading to the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl—and there’s no better way to celebrate than by gifting a University of Illinois Alumni Association membership to your favorite Illini.
Commemorate this incredible bowl-bound season with the ultimate fan bundle: our premium Life Membership Blanket and the exclusive Bowl Game Pack—featuring a clear stadium backpack, Alumni beanie, koozie, luggage tag, and a Commemorative Liberty Mutual Vinyl Music City Bowl ticket.
* Packages will not arrive before the bowl game and are intended as commemorative keepsakes. Vinyl ticket is for memorabilia purposes only and is not valid for game entry.
** Annual membership is $150.
*** Shipping to Domestic U.S. Addresses Only. No PO Boxes.
Become a Life Member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association and commemorate this incredible bowl-bound season with the ultimate fan bundle: our premium Life Membership Blanket and the exclusive Bowl Game Pack—featuring a clear stadium backpack, Alumni beanie, koozie, luggage tag, and a Commemorative Liberty Mutual Vinyl Music City Bowl ticket.
* Packages will not arrive before the bowl game and are intended as commemorative keepsakes. Vinyl ticket is for memorabilia purposes only and is not valid for game entry.
** Annual membership is $150.
*** Shipping to Domestic U.S. Addresses Only. No PO Boxes. Become a Life Member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association and commemorate this incredible bowl-bound season with the ultimate fan bundle: our premium Life Membership Blanket and the exclusive Bowl Game Pack—featuring a clear stadium backpack, Alumni beanie, koozie, luggage tag, and a Commemorative Liberty Mutual Vinyl Music City Bowl ticket.
* Packages will not arrive before the bowl game and are intended as commemorative keepsakes. Vinyl ticket is for memorabilia purposes only and is not valid for game entry.
** Annual membership is $150.
*** Shipping to Domestic U.S. Addresses Only. No PO Boxes.
Join the University of Illinois Alumni Association and pre-order your limited-edition Altgeld Hall Snow Globe, complete with the beloved “Hail to the Orange” chimes and a timeless design that captures the spirit of the Quad in winter.
This is more than a collectible—it’s a connection. To your past. To your pride. To your place in the Illini family.
Shipping to Domestic US Addresses ONLY. No PO Boxes.