Auditorium named for alumnus, wife

G. Stephen and Kathleen Irwin.

The College of Medicine on May 1 dedicated the G. Stephen and Kathleen Irwin Learning Center Auditorium, named for an alumnus and his wife.

Dr. Irwin, an orthopaedic surgeon, and Kathleen Irwin, a registered nurse, have made numerous gifts and bequests to the College of Medicine over the years, directing their gifts in support of student scholarship, the department of orthopaedic surgery and endowed professorships.

“The training I received as a medical student and as an orthopaedic resident at the College of Medicine has had a lasting influence on my career for nearly 35 years,” Irwin said. “I always felt like the university was my partner in the practice of medicine. They made the education possible, in part due to the affordability at the time.”

“Steve and Kathy continue to show their support for the most promising and talented physicians of tomorrow,” said Dr. Dimitri Azar, dean of the College of Medicine. “We are pleased to announce the dedication of our second-floor auditorium in our updated learning center in honor of their generosity and commitment.”

The 200-seat auditorium, which was completed in 2015 and is located in the historic College of Medicine West Tower, provides three floors of updated classrooms and educational spaces.

“The only way the university can continue to offer a high-quality education, especially with a tightening state budget, is for alumni and community partners to step forward and bring money to the table in support of Illinois’ premier public research university and medical school,” Irwin said.