Thanks to a generous gift from Chicago-based Lincoln International and a number of its leaders, the atrium inside the Business Instructional Facility (BIF) at the University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business will be named the Lincoln International Atrium.

Lincoln International CEO Rob Brown provided a lead gift, and several of the firm’s employees, who are University of Illinois’ alumni, contributed personally toward Gies’ current and future facilities. Their investment creates an opportunity for the Lincoln International name and brand to have long-term visibility on campus.

“I’m thrilled to see Lincoln International’s name on the hallowed halls at the University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business,” Brown said. “The Gies alumni at Lincoln, myself included, are proud to see the firm where we have built meaningful careers connected to an important institution – where academics and friendships influenced each of us early on.”

Brown is a 1990 Gies Business alumnus with a degree in accounting. He has been instrumental in building Lincoln’s global footprint and a highly desirable culture that prioritizes attracting, retaining, and engaging top talent at all levels. As a connected leader within the firm, Brown works closely with Lincoln’s investment banking advisors to help them achieve success. Brown has nearly 30 years of experience advising leading private equity groups, privately owned businesses and large public companies on divestitures, acquisitions, and other strategic initiatives. He is the incoming chair of the Dean’s Business Council for Gies College of Business. In 2022, he was the College’s commencement speaker, and he spoke at its first Mental Health Summit about prioritizing mental health in the workplace.

“Rob has been very closely involved with Gies College of Business for many years, and I couldn’t be more proud of the purpose-driven business leader he has become,” said Jeffrey R. Brown, Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean. “I want to thank Lincoln International, Rob, and everyone who contributed to this gift. It represents a significant investment in future of our College and in the lives of the thousands of students who will learn, network, and make lifelong friendships inside the Lincoln International Atrium.”

The Lincoln International Atrium is located inside the College’s Business Instructional Facility. Completed in 2008, the LEED® certified building houses the atrium, classrooms, career services and academic counseling offices, a 3D printing lab, a state-of-the-art finance lab, and a 300-seat auditorium. BIF was awarded the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest rating of LEED Platinum. It was the first such building at any public university business school in the world, and at the time, one of only 15 platinum-certified buildings in Illinois.