Dear Illinois...

Dear Illinois,

I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. It seems like just yesterday that we first met and started this adventure together. At first you seemed daunting, but now you are my second home.

We have laughed together, cried together, and laughed until we have cried together. We have celebrated great victories together, both personal and academic. We have had plenty of late nights and plenty of early mornings. We have faced challenges head on, embraced failures as we have grown together, and because of you, I am better.

You have taught me to ask big questions and not be afraid of my big dreams. You have taught me the value of education and the importance of giving back and building up my community.  You have shown me the value of diversity and the benefits of embracing multiple perspectives. You have given me incredible professors, mentors, and friends who all care deeply.

You have created memories that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. The roar of Memorial Stadium, the thrill of a dunk at the State Farm Center, and the wind rustling through the quad as campus comes alive. But I have not done any of this alone. I have done this with friends who are agents of change, driven and passionate, intelligent and kind, exactly what Illinois inspires us all to be.

My time at Illinois did not end as I expected. But as I look forward to my future, I know when looking back Alma will always have her arms wide open, ready to welcome us home.

It’s not goodbye, it’s thank you and see you soon. Once an Illini, Always an Illini!

ILL!

Elena Wilson

Dear Illinois,

This isn’t how I wanted our journey to end, but I wanted to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together.

The last four years taught me so much more than I could have ever imagined.

You’ve taught me how to be resilient and pushed me beyond my limits.

But you’ve also given some of my most memorable moments…

Tailgating outside Memorial stadium on Saturdays during football season

Qualifying for March Madness AND our first bowl game in years

Meeting Post Malone & Lil Yachty at Spring Jam 

Playing for University Band in Krannert Center’s Foellinger Great Hall

And all the small things just between us that made our time here so special.

As I move on to my next chapter, I’ll always treasure our time together for a lifetime.

This isn’t a goodbye, it’s a see you later.

Until next time,
I-L-L forever

Divij Ranjan

Dear Illinois,

It breaks my heart that my journey with you has ended so suddenly.

The Class of 2020 has been put in a position that no one can ever truly understand.

It is important during these times, however, for us to come together;

To feel our emotions,

To reflect on our growth,

And to reminisce about the life-changing moments we have shared here with you.

I cannot even begin to express my gratitude towards you,

For all you have given me,

For all you have taught me,

And for all you have helped me become.

You took a girl with a dream and turned her into a woman with a reality.

You showed me what growth, achievement, and success look like.

You showed me what strength, resilience, and happiness feel like.

But most importantly,

You taught me how to bleed orange and blue.

And I forever will.

I-L-L

Ariana Daneshbodi

Dear Illinois,

This isn’t the farewell we had planned, but I leave you with these parting thoughts.

Above all, I am grateful for the last four years.

I have grown as a student and a friend, and you have given me memories that will last a lifetime.

I will always remember the excitement of returning for a new semester, our beautiful campus, and my friends in Block I.

I couldn’t have asked for anything more, and I will forever cherish my time in Champaign, my home away from home.

In Orange and Blue forever,

Alex Bryk

Dear Illinois,

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to say my goodbye to you in normal fashion. Finishing my last few weeks like this was something even you didn’t see coming.

So instead, I thought I would write you a letter.

THANK YOU.

The last four years has been, for lack of less cliché words, life changing.

I never would have thought that I would learn so much about my major, minors, and even myself.

I never would have thought that I would be able to experience so many new, exciting, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

I never would have thought that I would meet so many people that would become my friends, classmates, and future colleagues.

In short, I never would have thought that in four short years, the impact you would have on me was so unquantifiable.  

As Alma Mater says it best – “to thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greetings”. I will now be joining those of the past, and for that I am forever grateful to you.

I-L-L with much love,

Ashley

Dear Illinois,

I love that you have so many diverse classes to take, and so many bands and orchestras to join and play in (especially playing percussion in Harding Band Building and playing violin and viola in Krannert!).

It has been my honor to study here since there are so many opportunities to be explored: The LAS Honors program has been the highlight for me – it has motivated me and I loved having so many chances to propose unique and wonderful individual Honors projects.

When I look back at each semester and all the classes, it all means so much to me. The classes, the friends, and the music (there was always a band or orchestra to listen to!) were all features of my time at Illinois.

I’ve loved being a student here!

Noame Qin

Dear Illinois,

I learned a lot of lessons from you, big and small, in four years here:

With my advisor, I made a four-year class schedule. And then I changed it. And I changed it again. And again. And again. Don’t always fake it ‘til you make it – seek help and explore your options.

With the help of staff and peers at OIIR, I grappled with the true meaning of inclusion and wrestled with the various forms of oppression in this world. Ask yourself and others the hard questions.

I found my favorite study spots (it’s the Main Library during the day, and the Natural History Building at night). Studying is much more enjoyable with a buddy.

I drank a million cups of coffee, and I spilled coffee in about a million places. Invest in leak proof tumblers.

Through classes, jobs, RSOs, and studying abroad, I gained incredible friendships while learning about my own leadership and work style. Growth is not bound by age or time.

All of the lessons, little or big, were places of growth, of learning more about who I am and who I aspire to be.

For this, thank you,

Elena Cannova

Dear Illinois,

It is not easy to simply say "goodbye" without a proper send-off to all the memories, explorations, tears, growth, and families that have become part of who I am in the past five years.

From the first thrilling Quad Day to the last nerve-wracking piano jury,

From the first unforgettable Halloween makeover to the last magical "The Nutcracker" performance at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts,

From the first time immersing in the euphonious sound of the Altgeld Chimes to the last time scrutinizing the enchanting night sky at the Arboretum,

As I part and stride confidently towards my next chapter, I will dearly cherish our precious time together.

May the beauty and grace remain.

Until our paths cross again,
Forever orange and blue.

Barry Chiang

Dear Illinois,

From being a freshman navigating the wilderness of a large campus to a senior finally finding his way around only to be dislocated by a global pandemic, my time as a student has shown me a path forward.

To learn how to bond with people.

To grow as an individual.

To create a vision for yourself.

My experience as a student was not without challenges, but nobody should expect theirs to be. It is the difficulties endured that make a person more complete.

Yet the pride and colors of being an Illini will run deep.

I’m proud to represent this school going forward, and I am a more complete person four years later.

And for that I have the University to thank.

-Austin Stadelman