South Pole Telescope

Help celebrate our centennial by reaching for the stars. In celebration of the department’s centennial, we’re asking for your help to replenish the department’s annual fund. Our goal is 100 gifts for 100 years. Gifts of any amount help us provide support for teaching, research, and outreach. Click the button below and select “Department of Astronomy Annual Fund” to make a donation.

The Department of Astronomy relies on the generosity of alumni and friends to continue our efforts to provide excellent learning and research opportunities for our students and faculty. Your gift to the Department of Astronomy will:

  • Ensure that future generations will have access to a superior education
  • Offer scholarships to academically strong undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to those with financial need
  • Recruit and retain the best faculty members
  • Provide learning and professional development opportunities for our students

Department of Astronomy Annual Fund

Gifts to the general fund support the core missions of the department: teachingresearch, and outreach.

Give to the Department of Astronomy Annual Fund

James B. Kaler Astronomy Classroom Fund

Help us honor Professor Emeritus Jim Kaler and upgrade the astronomy classroom to a state-of-the-art learning facility. Read more about the Kaler Classroom

Give to the James B. Kaler Astronomy Classroom Fund

Friends of the University of Illinois Observatory Fund

Gifts to support the preservation of our historic campus observatory via the Friends of the Observatory.

Give to Friends of the University of Illinois Observatory Fund

Icko Iben Jr. Distinguished Lectureship Series Fund

Gifts to support the Iben Lecture series bring top researchers to campus to give public talks on their work.

Give to the Icko Iben Jr. Distinguished Lectureship Series Fund

Stanley Wyatt Memorial Award Fund

Gifts to support graduating Astronomy majors/minors with outstanding GPAs and track records of undergraduate research with this award.

Give to the Stanley Wyatt Memorial Award Fund

Layla Suzanne Ryan Scholarship Fund

Gifts to support Junior or Senior majors/minors in Astronomy who exhibit community service or outreach participation with this award.

Give to the Layla Suzanne Ryan Scholarship Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Hsiang Pai & Wen-Hua Chu Department of Astronomy Excellence in Research Grad Student Award Fund

Gifts to support graduate student scientists who exhibit excellence in their research with this award.

Give to the Mr. & Mrs. Hsiang Pai & Wen-Hua Chu Department of Astronomy Excellence in Research Grad Student Award Fund

Lew Snyder Memorial Fund

Gifts will fund graduate student travel scholarships in the Department of Astronomy.

Give to the Lew Snyder Memorial Fund