Former Cubs pitcher funds UIC scholarship

Sarah and Kerry Wood with their children, Katie, Justin and Charlotte. The Wood Family Foundation will fund a scholarship for a full-time Honors College student. Photo: Wood Family Foundation

A foundation established by former Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood has teamed with UIC to create a new scholarship for Honors College students who have demonstrated financial need and academic ability.

Graduating high school seniors who have been accepted to the Honors College, and live in the Austin, Englewood, Humboldt Park or Lawndale neighborhoods of Chicago, are eligible for consideration for the Kerry and Sarah Wood Family Foundation Scholarship.

The Wood Family Foundation will fund the annual scholarship, for four years, for a full-time student living on campus. The first scholarship will be awarded for fall semester.

The scholarship includes all tuition, fees, assessments, books and housing costs, as well as a laptop computer. The student will have housing during the summer to participate in summer coursework, undergraduate research, an internship or study abroad.

“We are excited for this opportunity, for children in our target neighborhoods, to achieve their dreams through this scholarship program,” Kerry Wood said.

“Our foundation’s focus is to improve the lives of children and what better way than to concentrate on giving these children a bright future.”

Bette Bottoms, dean of the Honors College, said the Wood award is the college’s most comprehensive scholarship.

“We are honored to be the public stewards of this generous gift,” she said.

“Through the support of the Wood Family Foundation, outstanding students who otherwise would not have the means to achieve their goals will have access to a transformative educational experience.”

Scholarship recipients must meet Honors College requirements, which include a minimum 3.4 cumulative grade point average for all UIC courses; an Honors Activity every fall and spring semester such as honors coursework, research, tutoring or volunteer service; and an independent capstone research project before graduation.

Founded in 2011, the Wood Family Foundation works to improve the lives of children in and around Chicago by raising funds and awareness for its children’s programs and other children’s charities they support.

“Each year we will welcome another child into our family, with front row seats, watching that student achieve his or her dreams,” Sarah Wood said. “We can’t wait to welcome our first student next month.”

For more information, contact the Honors College, 312-413-2260 or hcollege@uic.edu