In 2009, Sandra Perry Sigman visited the University of Illinois campus with her husband David and son, Ryan. As an alumna of the School of Labor & Employment Relations graduate program, she was visiting then to be the commencement speaker for the program’s commencement ceremony.

While visiting, her son’s interest in genetics led them to take a tour of the IGB. They walked away impressed with the institute’s interdisciplinary nature, which inspired them to become donors to the IGB.