Boeing at Illinois

  1. News and Events
  2. Success Stories
  3. Boeing at Illinois
  4. Boeing at Illinois
Boeing employees.

Boeing and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have had a longstanding relationship supporting sustainability in the aviation industry. Illinois alumni make up a core part of Boeing, with more than 771 employees. Generous contributions made by Boeing to the university have allowed for enriched learning experiences and excellence in student engagement, research, and innovation. 

Boeing employee signing paper.

Center for Sustainable Aviation

Boeing pledged to support the Center for Sustainable Aviation with a generous gift that supports historically underrepresented college students, high school teachers, and experts in the workforce. 
 

“We are honored to partner with UIUC to educate and attract our future workforce on one of our industry’s biggest challenges– combating climate change to ensure a more sustainable aerospace future.” - Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond.

The center encourages Boeing’s employees to take continuing education courses to get a broader understanding of sustainability from an engineering and technology perspective. Boeing also aims to attract new hires who are well-versed in the nuanced thinking that is needed to tackle sustainable aviation challenges. Additionally, the center will offer more courses and programs focusing on sustainability in aerospace and to demonstrate that sustainability doesn’t live within a stovepipe of the traditional disciplines involved in aircraft systems. 

Students in front of Chez Veterans Center.

Boeing Scholarship

Boeing supports over 1,200 students in their chosen fields of study through academic scholarships. Two student recipients were chosen for the 2024 Boeing Scholarship through the Chez Veterans Center. The Chez Veterans Center is proud to be able to witness the impact of higher education through generous scholarships.

The first student recipient, Thomas Brown, is an active-duty United States Naval Officer that was serving as a Submarine Warfare Officer Student before being faced with a life threatening illness, Leukemia. Thanks to the generous scholarship from Boeing, he is able to pursue an MBA at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 
 

“I am pursuing my MBA because I was diagnosed with Leukemia and don't know how the military will value my service after my treatment is complete. I am deeply grateful for being honored with this scholarship.” - Thomas Brown

The second student recipient, Daniel Kopko, is a U.S. Army Veteran planning to complete his undergraduate studies in Accountancy and Data Science in May 2025. He then plans to pursue his MBA. Receiving this scholarship has alleviated significant financial burdens during his academic pursuits.