Day of Gratitude is an annual event designed to celebrate the naming of the college, the legacy of The Grainger Foundation and the ways philanthropy shapes Grainger Engineering innovation and excellence. Alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends can participate on Friday, September 26, 2025, by being involved, by being informed and by investing.
For generations, Grainger engineers have benefitted from an educational experience enhanced by generous donors whose gifts transform the lives of students, support courageous research and create state-of-the-art facilities. We are grateful to you and your support.
Join us on campus at Engineering Hall between 9-11 a.m. for fun and special treats!
How to Participate
Be Involved
Mentor a Grainger engineer, speak to a class, serve on an alumni board, recruit students - these are just a few ways you can strengthen our community and help equip students for a lifetime of collaboration, innovation and discovery. When you build connections through IlliniLink, you can help nurture the next generation of Illini who follow you.
Be Informed
Stay up to date on the exciting news from campus and from Grainger engineers around the world. Join us on our social media channels: Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Share the posts that make you the proudest to be part of the Grainger Engineering community. Stay connected with us by keeping your contact information updated.
Be Invested
Did you know that 61% of the total donors to Grainger Engineering between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 were Grainger Engineering alumni? Gifts from our alumni and friends enable us to strategically invest in critical initiatives that transform the student experience, drive world-changing research and expand engineering excellence through opportunity, collaboration and community. Your investment demonstrates the importance of your experiences and education. When supporting the college, express your gratitude by sharing why you invest in our community.