For Dave and Ellen Petrick, Illinois Wesleyan was where their own story began. Decades later, their generosity is creating a place where generations of students can discover what inspires them and where their ideas might lead.
The Petrick Idea Center grew from Dave’s vision for a space where students from every discipline could come together to create, collaborate and explore entrepreneurship. Today, that vision is a reality, bringing students across the liberal arts together for hands-on learning, creative problem-solving and experiences that can spark entirely new directions.
“If they have an idea, they can create it at The Petrick Idea Center,” Dave said of his hopes for the project.
Although Dave passed away in 2022, his vision lives on through the Center and through Ellen and the Petrick family’s continued commitment to Illinois Wesleyan. Their impact extends across campus, from scholarships and collaborative learning spaces to their early support for the Design, Technology and Entrepreneurship Program.
Together, their generosity is helping ensure that IWU students have the freedom, resources and encouragement to turn curiosity into possibility.
