Gifts in Action - Horace and Kate Wu

MEET THE WUS

Horace Wu came to the University of Illinois from Hong Kong and found a second home. In 1972, Mr. Wu earned a B.S. from the U of I in Civil Engineering. He returned to complete an M.B.A. in 1977. He says he considers his years at Illinois “probably the best part of my life.”

WHY THEY GAVE

Today, Horace and Kate W. King Wu say they have much to be thankful for and that now is the time to give back. They’re committed to helping middle-income and international students, who traditionally face high costs and little scholarship assistance.

Mr. Wu encourages other alums to “come up with innovative ideas to help students …and then call [Student Affairs] to implement them.”

HOW THEY GAVE

Their first step was to create the Horace Wu and Kate W. King Wu International Undergraduate Scholarships.

Next, they launched the unique Horace C. Wu and Kate W. King Wu Dining Services Undergraduate Scholarships, in honor of Mr. Wu’s positive experiences as a student dining services worker. Each year, four undergraduate dining services workers (excelling in work, experience, commitment and leadership) each receive $500 in educational assistance.

The Wus also give to the Global Crossroads Living and Learning Community. This program gives our students the opportunity to live and interact with a prominent, international guest for a week each semester.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Director of Housing, Jack Collins calls our dining services workers among the school’s hardest-working students, often paying for school themselves. “For the Wus to reward their efforts with this scholarship is not only generous but thoughtful.”

Ibrahim Keita, a Horace Wu and Kate W. King Wu International Undergraduate Scholarship recipient says to the Wus: “In this world there are givers and takers. You are [givers] and you pay it forward.”