Celebration of Philanthropy

The University of Illinois Springfield and the University of Illinois Foundation host an annual Celebration of Philanthropy event to celebrate individuals who make a difference through philanthropic support. Each year the William E. Winter Award for Outstanding Advocate Leadership is given to recognize individuals outside the university structure who play active roles in securing private support.

William E. Winter Award for Outstanding Advocate Leadership

This award recognizes individuals outside of the University structure who play active roles in securing private support for the University of Illinois. William E. Winter, who passed away in 2016, became a director of the University of Illinois Foundation in 1984. His service to the Foundation included heading up the volunteer component of the University’s first major campaign in the early 1980s.

Winter earned an A.B. degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1942. In April 1946, he went to work for the St. Louis, Missouri-based 7Up® Company and rose to become chief executive and chairman. His career in the soft drink industry spanned 55 years.