For Gary and Cindy Reynolds, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign marked more than the start of two fulfilling careers — it was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to education, communication, and community.
Gary earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois in agricultural communications and journalism. He began his career at Farm Journal, where he served as Crops Editor and later he was Managing Editor of Prairie Farmer, helping shape the way agricultural stories reached farmers and rural communities across the country. Even after a stroke in 1988 brought his career to an early close, Gary’s passion for the field never faded.
Cindy, a two-time Illinois graduate in education, spent her career in the classroom and later as a Technology Coordinator for the Decatur School District. She retired in 2000 after helping usher in a new era of innovation in K–12 learning.
Now retired in Mesa, Arizona, Gary and Cindy look back on their time at Illinois with deep gratitude — especially for the mentor who helped guide Gary’s path: Dr. Jim Evans.
They said Jim is an inspiring teacher and friend. In fact, they continue to exchange letters with Jim and Marlene each year. “He always cared about his students, even after they graduated.”
That enduring relationship is one of the reasons they chose to support the James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications. Their gift honors the legacy of a mentor while helping build the future of the profession — one that depends on skilled communicators to carry the message of agriculture forward.
To learn more about pledge and estate giving and how you can support the Evans Center, contact Stacey Cole in the College of ACES Office of Advancement at 217-244-1676 or smcole@illinois.edu — or give now online.