ACI raised nearly $85,000 in estimated net revenue at its 70^th Anniversary Celebration April 22, a strong fundraising result for ACI since it initiated its April fundraiser in 2016. The funds included an estimated $20,900 in pledges for second-mile gifts made at the event. About 130 people attended the event at the University Club of Chicago, with live music provided by the North Park University Jazz Ambassadors, below right.

The organization also established a new high for event sponsors with 11, plus an additional sponsor for the ACI Presidents Forum, held earlier in the day.

This year, ACI celebrated its 70^th year of service to Illinois college and universities, and their students. The purpose of the event was to recognize ACI’s 26 member colleges and universities, recall the organization’s roots and history, and to raise scholarship and program funds.

ACI Board of Trustees member Rob Johnson, president of Rob Johnson Communications, was master of ceremonies. Twelve of 22 founding members are still with ACI today, he noted, adding that ACI has raised $70 million dollars in its history. The 12 schools are Augustana College, Aurora University, Blackburn College, Eureka College, George Williams College (now part of Aurora University), Illinois College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Millikin University, McKendree University, North Park University, Quincy University and Shimer College, now part of North Central College.

“In 1952, it was time when privately funded education was at a crossroads,” said Lyn Bulman, ACI Board of Trustees chair. “Small private school were struggling to keep pace with the large state universities because they were receiving public funding as well as private donations.” To help ensure private college funding, community and business leaders joined private college presidents to establish ACI, she said.