Wood Family Foundation Targets Exceptional Students In Challenged Neighborhoods with Scholarship Program at UIC

The Wood Family Foundation, alongside Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and the University of Illinois at Chicago announces today the Kerry and Sarah Wood Family Foundation Scholarship to benefit graduating seniors in the Austin, Englewood, Humboldt Park and Lawndale neighborhoods.  The first recipient will be announced in May, and will enter UIC in Fall 2013.

Recipients of the Kerry and Sarah Wood Family Foundation Scholarship will be members of UIC's prestigious Honors College, enrolled in a full-time course of study and live on campus. All tuition, fees, assessments, books, and room and board are included, and a laptop computer will be provided. The students will have housing during the summer to allow participation in summer coursework, undergraduate research, an internship, or study abroad. 

“We are excited for this opportunity, for children in our target neighborhoods, to achieve their dreams through this scholarship program. Our foundation's focus is to improve the lives of children and what better way than to concentrate on giving these children a bright future," explains Kerry Wood.

"This scholarship is something that is not only going to change this young person’s life, but his or her family...and ours. Each year we will welcome another child into our family, with front row seats, watching that student achieve his or her dreams. We can't wait to welcome our first student next month," adds Sarah
Wood.

Dr. Bette L. Bottoms, Dean of the UIC Honors College, remarked: “This is the most comprehensive scholarship program in the history of the Honors College, and we are honored to be the public stewards of this generous gift. Through the support of the Wood Family Foundation, outstanding students who otherwise would not have the means to achieve their goals will have access to a transformative educational experience. We look forward to working with the Woods as we welcome the first scholar.”

The Wood Family Foundation (WFF) is a non-profit 501c3 organization that was founded in June 2011 by Kerry and Sarah Wood. The WFF works to improve the lives of children in Chicago by raising funds for children’s programs. The WFF acts as an advocate for children in the Chicago community, inspiring others to join them in their mission of giving children the resources they need to succeed. www.WoodFamilyFoundation.org

UIC ranks among the nation's leading research universities and is Chicago's largest university with 27,500 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, 15 colleges and the state's major public medical center. A hallmark of the campus is the Great Cities Commitment, through which UIC faculty, students and staff engage with community, corporate, foundation and government partners in hundreds of programs to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas around the world.
www.uic.edu.