URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) welcomed families from across the nation this summer for its beloved ACES Family Academies program, a hands-on educational event that gives alumni the chance to reconnect with campus and share their experiences with the next generation.
The annual tradition invites ACES alumni to bring children ages 8–13 to participate in immersive learning courses taught by U. of I. faculty and staff. From food science labs to ag tech courses, students and their families experience three days of discovery together.
This year marked a milestone: Landon Quimby of South Dakota earned the first-ever “Ph.D.” diploma in the ACES Family Academies program, celebrating five years of attendance. “Not only is it cool to eat and sleep on campus, and see the stadium, but I get to do it with my family,” Landon said. His favorite course? “What’s Poppin,” a popcorn-based plant breeding class he’s taken four years in a row.
Yuli Small of Seattle received his “master’s” diploma, recognizing three years of participation. His mom, Lisa Rae McCluskey (ACES ’98), said, “We sacrifice quite a bit of time to make it happen, but it’s worth it.”
The ACES Family Academies offer meaningful connections, educational engagement, and multigenerational memories—bringing Illinois alumni back to campus in a uniquely interactive way.