Three School of Architecture students awarded 2025 UIC Kokkino Educational Fund Scholarship
UIC’s College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts and the School of Architecture are pleased to announce Gabija Gricius, Racheal Olujide, and Toluwalogo (Tolu) Oluyede as the 2025 recipients of the UIC Kokkino Educational Fund Scholarship. All three students are pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at UIC.
Gabija is a first-year student who sees architecture as “a blend of STEM, the arts, and the humanities, constantly shaping our world and our future.” Of her ambitions, she says, “Through sustainable design, I hope to address environmental challenges and support those in need.” Tolu and Racheal, both third-year students, feel the scholarship's significance as they approach their final year of undergraduate studies. Tolu hopes to continue exploring her interests in urbanism by eventually pursuing a Master of Architecture at UIC. As a repeat recipient of the award, Racheal adds, “The Kokkino Scholarship has allowed me to pursue my academic and professional goals with greater ease. Knowing that others are invested in my success fills me with joy and confidence.”
A total of six Kokkino Educational Fund Scholarships have been awarded since its inception in the 2022-2023 academic year. David Brown, Acting Director of the School of Architecture, shares, "It’s great to have alumni offer support such as the Kokkino Scholarship, which directly connects our current students to the School’s and University’s legacy of broad access to higher education.”
Evangel Kokkino, a 1971 alumnus of the School of Architecture, made the gift along with his daughter Sofia Kokkino Patton in memory of his mother. The fund is intended to support women and immigrant students who have financial need. Kokkino practiced architecture in Chicago; his career has involved leading architecture/engineering practices locally and large capital programs and projects around the world. Kokkino serves on the President’s Council of the University of Illinois Foundation.
Tolu says of the scholarship’s impact, “Winning this scholarship means I have an opportunity to keep having fun in Architecture. What more can I ask for?”
For further information about the scholarship, please contact Jonathan Kinkley, Senior Director of Development, at (312) 996-4714 or kinkley@uic.edu.