Gifts in Action - Dr. Wesley Seitz and Austin Apgar

MEET DR. SEITZ AND AUSTIN APGAR

Apgar was a student in Seitz’s introductory economics class his freshman year of college. Dr. Seitz pursued a teaching and research career at the University of Illinois for more than 33 years. Seitz was a professor in both the Department of Business Administration and the Department of Agricultural Economics and was noted for the dedication and creative energy he brought to teaching. Seitz was also nationally and internationally recognized as one of the leading thinkers and researchers regarding public policy related to natural resource management. Seitz served in numerous administrative positions as well.

Austin Apgar received his master’s in agricultural economics and farm management from the U of I in May of 2006. He created his own place in the campus community through involvement in many student organizations. He is currently a member of the Douglas County Young Farmers and the Douglas County Farm Bureau as well as a number of other state and national agricultural organizations. He was raised on a farm near Camargo, Illinois, where he plans to join his father and grandfather in the operation and expansion of the family farm associations.

HOW THEY GAVE

In March 2005, Dr. Wesley Seitz and Austin Apgar, in partnership with the University of Illinois Foundation, established the ACE Academic Excellence Endowment Fund. Income from this fund is used to “enrich the academic environment in the department of ACE” through seminars and lectures, student activities, international travel and private sector interactions.

This endowment fund is a first of its kind, created by an emeritus faculty member in combination with a current student.

Story courtesy ACES.