From Connection to Commitment

When Wendy and Chris Harris took jobs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1994, they were planning on staying “no more than three years.” Thirty years, multiple roles and thousands of memories later, the couple retired from the university in 2024.

Wendy (M.S. ’02 IS) began as a field archaeologist before moving into roles at the Beckman Institute, the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Department of Mathematics. Her final and favorite position was with the School of Social Work, where she served as associate dean for administration until her retirement. Chris began as a writer for a division of what became the Prairie Research Institute. He then moved to the College of Education before spending the latter half of his career in the campus’ Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing. Prior to his retirement, Chris served as the chancellor’s speechwriter and executive communications director.

The Harrises’ roles briefly overlapped during their years in the College of Education, and it was here that they stopped seeing themselves as simply employees of the university and instead came to view themselves as members of the Illinois family. Their interactions with faculty, staff and students helped them understand what has made the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign a world-changing institution for more than 150 years.

The Illinois experience led Wendy and Chris to unexpected and remarkable careers, resulting in positions they did not even know existed when they first arrived. Along the way, they found a community of people who gave them the opportunity to become part of one of the world’s leading public universities. It is their shared sense of community and belonging that inspired them to create the Harris Family Scholarship Fund for Education, as well as a companion scholarship at the School of Social Work. Through these scholarships, they hope to help strengthen the community connection with students, supporting their education and enabling them to realize their potential as part of the Illinois family.

Throughout their career, they had the opportunity to work with students, staff and faculty who truly believed that the most powerful force on the planet was building a society where every single person had the support and the chance to grow into their own human potential.  “And that,” they say, “is exactly what we hope this fund does for the students who it will support in years to come.” 

If you want to support the Harris Family Scholarship for Education or create similar opportunities for students, faculty, research, and programs, please email the College's  Office of Advancement or visit our  Giving page.