The University of Illinois is a public research university in the U.S. state of Illinois and the flagship institution of the University of Illinois System. Founded in 1867 as a land-grant university, its campus is located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified as an R1 Doctoral Research University under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which denotes the highest research activity. In fiscal year 2014, research expenditures at Illinois totaled $654 million. The campus library system possesses the second-largest university library in the United States by holdings after Harvard University.
The university comprises 17 colleges that offer more than 150 programs of study with about 10,000 faculty members and over 44,000 students enrolled. The Institute for Genomic Biology provides support for breakthrough genomic research projects that are aimed at improving our understanding of biological function and human health. Notable alumni include: Nobel laureates Carl Wieman, Paul Lauterbur, George Stigler, Philip Anderson, John Bardeen (two-time winner), Enrico Fermi (often called “the architect” or “father”
of the nuclear age), James Franck and Sergio Rubini; astronauts John M. Grunsfeld and Richard Hieb; Silicon Valley pioneers Bob Taylor (inventor/designer
of ARPANET)and Marc Andreessen(co-founder Netscape); actors Harrison Fordand Gene Hackman; directors Kathryn Bigelowand Chris Wedge; writer/director Joss Whedon; hip hop artist Chance The Rapper; NBA Most Valuable PlayerDerrick Rose; Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelpsand Matt Grevers; NFL Hall Of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus; MLB All-Stars Kerry Woodand Lou Boudreau(inductee to both National Baseball Hall Of Fame & Museum& Major League Baseball All-Century Team); pioneering African American college football player Jackie Robinson(first to break baseball’s color barrier); basketball players Red Grange& Derek Harperas well as Olympian Steve Lundquistin swimming