- Can you provide us with some information about your background? Your education and career?
I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in forestry in 1976. While at the U of I, I was a walk-on football player and had the privilege of being named team captain, offensive MVP, earning All-Big Ten honors, and then was selected in the 1976 NFL draft.
I joined Caterpillar as a sales and marketing development representative in 1977. Caterpillar-and my subsequent career there-took me all over the world. I was a division manager based in Vancouver; regional manager for Cat Asia Pte. Ltd. based in Singapore; and general manager for company operations in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) based in Moscow. In the early 2000s, I led Caterpillar’s Asian operations, serving as vice president of Caterpillar’s Asia Pacific Division and chairman of Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi, now Caterpillar Japan Ltd. (CJL), based in Tokyo. From 2004 until my retirement, I served as group president providing leadership in a variety of areas of the enterprise, managing businesses spanning marketing, manufacturing operations, engineering, supply chain, procurement, and human resources.
- Tell us how you have kept connected to the University of Illinois since your time as a student?
In the early years of my career, I was located in the US, but out of the Midwest, so connections were through alumni publications, occasional returns to campus for sporting events, etc. Following that, we lived out of the country for many years and physical connections were more infrequent. I was able to maintain connections through alumni communications and on-line information and rare visits home. When I became a Group President for Caterpillar, we returned to Peoria, and I steadily increased my engagement with the University, both personally and professionally. That engagement has increased since my retirement through membership on the Foundation Board and two campaign committees.
- You recently made a significant gift to Illinois Athletics. Can you explain what compelled you to do so, and what you hope your philanthropy accomplishes?
Actually, this is the fourth gift we have made to the University. The first, in 2006, was an endowed scholarship for a walk-on football player. The second, in 2014, was an endowment to fund fellowships in the University’s Institute for Sustainability, Energy and the Environment. The third is the recent gift to the DIA (Division of Intercollegiate Athletics). The fourth is a gift we have just made to the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria. Nancy and I have always felt that those who are successful/fortunate in life have a responsibility to give back. In our case, it has been rewarding to support those institutions, initiatives and efforts which we feel passionate about, have made a difference in our lives and need to be sustained. In the end, we’re each just one of many supporters, but our hope is this effort continues to move this University forward as a preeminent educational institution in the world. With respect to the DIA gift…I was a beneficiary and continue to be a strong believer in the student athlete experience. Done well, students who participate not only receive a first class education, but they also compete at a national level and gain leadership values that benefit them and society. To ensure the sustainability of this type of opportunity, I believe strongly that the U of I’s athletic performance should mirror its academic performance. This gift supports that strategy and the leadership team—from the Board, through President Killeen, Chancellor Jones and AD Josh Whitman—who are implementing it.
- What advice can you share about how to make a lasting impact at the University of Illinois?
There are so many opportunities to help this great institution grow and prosper. My advice would be for all alumni and friends of the University to first reflect on the value this great institution has provided them. Then spend some time identifying one’s personal interest and passions. Lastly, reach out and engage the University to learn how to align those passions with the resources needed to support their sustainability and growth within the University of Illinois. That’s essentially what Nancy and I have done.
- What is your favorite University of Illinois memory?
I have so many great memories, I don't think I could narrow it down to just one. But the sum of all those memories is reflected in the many friendships I made—and continue to maintain—since my time at the University of Illinois.
FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW TO READ MORE ABOUT STU AND NANCY’S GIFTS