I am honored to serve as your president for the Illinois Club's 2017-2018 year. For those of you who have not met me yet, let me introduce myself. I am Kathy Valdes and am in my sixth year with the club. Before serving as president, I served on the Board in various positions including Communications and Tours. We have lived in the Champaign-Urbana area since the summer of 2012 when my husband took a job at the University. We learned about the Illinois Club shortly after moving here and joined the club before the boxes were all unpacked.

The Illinois Club is special to me because, through the events and activities of the club, I was able to meet people and find friends in a community that was new to us. Not only have I met many interesting people and enjoyed many events, I have also been inspired by the bright and enthusiastic student scholars who are supported by the club scholarships. I hope to give back to the organization that has given so much to me.

On behalf of the board, interest group chairs, and other volunteers and members, I invite you to join us for event-filled year together. I welcome ideas, questions, and/or suggestions, please feel free to email me at president@theillinoisclub.org .