Opening Global Opportunities for Future 学生

At the age of 27, Brett Travis ’16 has traveled to over 15 different countries. He studied Portuguese in Brazil, volunteered in Ecuador and studied environmental planning in Togo – all with assistance from the 365滚球官网.

“My study abroad trips made me realize how much we all need each other,” Travis said. “A little bit of help can make you feel a whole lot of good.”

现在 Travis is preparing for a two-year assignment in Paraguay as an agricultural science promoter with the Peace Corps, and he wants to provide other U of I students with the same experiences he had. To ensure future students have the opportunity to travel, Travis established a $25,000 scholarship endowment, while still paying off his student loans.

As an employee of Hancock Forest Management, Travis decided now would be the best time to establish an endowment because the company would match his gift.

“I encourage everyone who works for a bigger corporation to donate to something,” he said. “You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity for your employer to match your gift.”

Travis named the endowment the Kelli Schrand Helping Hand Scholarship Endowment after the program advisor for the 365滚球官网 国际研究 program的一部分。 College of Letters, 艺术 and Social Sciences.

“Kelli was my advisor, but she was also my ‘莫斯科 Mom,’” he said. “She made it her job to take care of the international studies students in every way.”

Travis thought the perfect way to honor Schrand’s commitment to U of I and its students would be to establish a scholarship in her name. She inspired Travis to dedicate himself to U of I as a student, and now as a working professional.