CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Moms and Dads associations at the University of Illinois have granted free tuition to two winners of its annual benefit drawing.
Maureen McMahon, of Chicago, won two semesters of in-state tuition for her son, Brendan, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.
“Now I can rest easy knowing that my parents will not be burdened with tuition payments for the next year,” Brendan McMahon said.
One semester of in-state tuition was awarded to Patrice Merchant of Evanston, Ill., for her son, Casey, a freshman majoring in consumer economics and finance.
“Winning the tuition drawing has relieved some of the stress of paying for school,” Casey Merchant said.
The annual drawing is held at the final home Illini football game. Proceeds from the drawing are used to support programs and projects that benefit all students at Illinois. The tuition waiver takes effect with the spring semester.
The UI’s two parent organizations are believed to be the first such organizations in the U.S. The Dads Association was founded in 1922; the Moms Association followed in 1923.
