The University of Illinois received its largest ever gift by a non-alumnus in February 2009: a $14 million donation to establish a Brazilian Studies Institute on the Urbana-Champaign campus.  The endowment, made by Jorge Paulo Lemann, will enhance the University’s existing studies on Brazilian culture and make it one of the leading Brazilian studies programs in the nation.  Over the years, the University has been attracting an increasing number of Brazilian students, which Lemann, who was born and raised in Brazil, said prompted his generous donation. 

“Our gift stems from our appreciation of the university’s contribution in attracting an increasing number of talented Brazilians and in enhancing their education,” stated Jorge Paulo Lemann. “They, in turn, positively affect Brazilian development and society, as evidenced by the number of Illinois graduates in important jobs throughout Brazil. The creation of the institute will build on these efforts.”

The Lemann Institute for Brazilian Studies will be based in the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and International Programs and Studies.  Its goal is to support joint research between those at Illinois and Brazil, giving students of both nations, along with Brazilian professionals, the chance to further explore the history, economy, and cultural heritage of the country of Brazil. Planning for the institute is under way, and some programs are expected to begin this year. The institute will hire its own director.

Lemann’s gift will provide short-term fellowships to Brazilian professionals who have an interest in participating in one of Illinois’ extensive training programs, as well as opportunities for Brazilian nationals to earn their master’s degrees here.  Undergraduate and graduate students will also benefit greatly from the presence of the Lemann Institute for Brazilian Studies on campus.  The endowment provides for a graduate fellowship for study pertaining to Brazil, study abroad fellowships for both Brazilian and U of I students, and scholarships for undergraduate research on Brazil.
This donation is only one in a long line of generous gifts that the Lemann family has made to the University over the years.  Other gifts include: $1.5 million for the Lemann Chair in Economics, $500,000 for the Jorge Lemann Scholars Fund, and $350,000 for the Lemann-Illinois Brazil Collaborative research program.