Country Financial - CC Services Inc.
04/03/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/03/2025 09:53
COUNTRY Financial® Receives Investor in Excellence Award at the Third Annual Illinois State University Gratitude Gala
April 3, 2025
COUNTRY Financial® Receives Investor in Excellence Award at the Third Annual Illinois State University Gratitude Gala
Illinois State University (ISU) celebrated generosity and impact at its third annual Gratitude Gala on March 29 honoring donors from its distinguished giving societies. The evening featured the presentation of four prestigious awards recognizing outstanding philanthropic achievements. Among the honorees, COUNTRY Financial® was proudly named the recipient of the Investor in Excellence Award, a distinction reserved for corporations, foundations, or organizations that exemplify exceptional philanthropic support of Illinois State's mission, vision, and values.
"As CEO of COUNTRY Financial, I am truly honored to be celebrating our partnership with Illinois State University," said Jim Jacobs. "I am grateful for our ISU partners, including President Tarhule and his leadership team, for everything you do to enrich lives in our community and in our world."
The company's philanthropic support of Illinois State University has made a lasting impact, benefiting students, faculty, and programs across campus. Through generous contributions to scholarships, student success initiatives, and academic programs, COUNTRY has helped shape the future of countless Redbirds, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. The COUNTRY commitment to ISU extends beyond financial contributions, with active engagement in mentorship, career development, classroom instruction, and community outreach efforts that align with the University's mission.
"Congratulations to COUNTRY Financial for receiving the much-deserved Investor in Excellence Award," said Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule. "We are grateful for their long-standing partnership and unwavering support of our students through scholarships and internships, as well as their dedication to the mission of Illinois State."
Andy Bender, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, proudly accepted the Investor in Excellence Award on behalf of COUNTRY.
"We have the noble purpose of helping people plan for and protect their lives and their families," Jacobs added. "We keep our promises and are there for people when they need us most. We have done this for 100 years and will do this for another century because of strong partnerships like the one we have with ISU."
The evening concluded with a heartfelt celebration of the generosity and dedication of all donors, whose contributions continue to shape the future of Illinois State University and its students. Forty COUNTRY individuals-from interns to executives-attended the event.