Personal Giving Stories

When Ed Zielinski entered the University of Illinois in the early 1970s, he chose to enroll in the nationally recognized and prestigious College of Engineering. As a student in mechanical and industrial engineering, he was fortunate to study under such illustrious and learned professors as Jack Broghammer, Richard DeVor and Judith Liebman.

In addition to being educated at a top engineering school, the U of I also provided a unique leadership experience when he was elected president of Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. “Actually no one else cared enough to run,” Zielinski recalls.

In retrospect, he realizes that this was the ideal turn-around situation, because the organization had intrinsic value as a highly respected national honor society, and engineering students who qualified eagerly accepted the honor. Zielinski spent an entire year recruiting a team of faculty advisors and holding membership events. His efforts culminated with an event on campus involving the national secretary of Tau Beta Pi. This laid the critical groundwork for future growth and success of this prestigious engineering honor society at the U of I.

Upon graduation, Zielinski began his career as an industrial engineer and earned an MBA at night. “My experiences at the U of I continue to influence my career in corporate restructuring in very positive ways,” he says. “Business restructuring involves building on the intrinsic value of an organization and then instilling a culture of excellence and developing processes to succeed,” says Zielinski. “My experience as a young man with Tau Beta Pi at the U of I was extremely valuable and as it turns out was a precursor to my career path,” he concludes.

Ed Zielinski is married to Lynne (29 years), and they have three daughters, two of whom were married this year. The couple lives in Texas, where he is an active member of the Dallas Illini Club. He has run a few marathons and enjoys skiing, hiking, biking and, of course, everything Illini!