James Webb Young Fund

Established in 1959, the James Webb Young Fund is an organization dedicated to enhancing advertising education. Its board members are highly regarded and respected advertising professionals. Their continuous support has made possible higher education and research in the advertising department at the University of Illinois. The private funds that they raise provide graduate students with assistantships annually and support faculty research as well.

The efforts of the James Webb Young Fund (JWYF) have directly helped the University of Illinois' graduate advertising program attract talented students and high caliber faculty from countries. Since 1959, over 250 graduates have been supported by the JWYF. "As individuals dedicated to advertising education, we are not interested in merely producing graduates, but cultivating professionals-professionals who are versed in the foundations and the fundamentals of the advertising field," said William D. Engelbrecht, Executive VP of Leo Burnett USA in Chicago, and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the JWYF.

Advertising and Public Relations professionals are not only encouraged to support the University of Illinois' top-ranked graduate program, but also to become members of the esteemed James Webb Young Fund. This fund is unique in that it is a single fund maintained by annual contributions from the advertising industry and individuals. Originally established as an account in the business office, it was made a part of the Foundation program in 1961. Interest is received from the Foundation on the unexpended balance. Without the financial assistance the James Webb Young fund provides, many talented students would not be able to pursue graduate study.

For more information on the James Webb Young Fund, please visit the University of Illinois Department of Advertising Home Page (under Overview).