CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Yingying’s Fund, an endowment to honor Illinois scholar Yingying Zhang, will be announced by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign at 10 a.m. Aug. 19 in the South Lounge of the Illini Union, 1401 W. Green St., Urbana. The Zhang family has established the endowment to assist international students in crisis and their families.
“I am truly inspired by the Zhang family’s desire to create Yingying’s Fund,” Chancellor Robert Jones said. “The Zhangs, cherished members of our own Illinois family, are going through one of the most challenging points in their lives, and yet they are still thinking of others. Their gift will make an enormous impact when these students and their families need it most.”
During the news conference, Zhang family members will discuss the purpose for Yingying’s Fund and their hopes for its impact. Yingying’s father, Ronggao Zhang, will speak through an interpreter and a message from Xiaolin Hou, Yingying’s fiancée, will be read by a representative. Also speaking will be Danita Brown Young, the vice chancellor for student affairs, and Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela, the vice provost for international affairs and global strategies.
The Zhang family has provided the lead gift for the endowment. An online donation platform has been created for individuals or families who wish to contribute. Gifts can be made at https://go.illinois.edu/YingyingFund.
The news conference is open to the media and the general public.
