University News

Jim and Judy Niss have arranged to endow two scholarship funds with a $3 million estate gift. Jim is a retired WIU professor of economics while Judy served as an academic advisor at WIU for several years.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

WIU President Kristi Mindrup addresses the crowd at the 2025 WIU Foundation Donor Banquet.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

The crowd at the WIU Foundation Donor Banquet watches a music performance at the event.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Retired Professor Commits $3 Million for Scholarships

October 1, 2025

Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL —The 2025 Western Illinois University Foundation donor banquet, held on Friday, Sept. 12, featured an exciting announcement about a transformational investment from a retired WIU professor and his wife. Jim and Judy Niss, of Winter Park, FL have arranged to endow two scholarship funds via a $3 million estate gift.

Jim taught Economics at WIU for three decades. Judy served as an academic advisor at WIU for a short time before pursuing a teaching position in Carthage.

Both of the Nisses were first-generation college students and know first-hand the importance of financial support, with Jim starting life on a family farm in northern Illinois and pursuing college after being inspired by a high school teacher.

"When I went to college, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship that made my tuition $25 a semester and I was able to buy my books for $20 a semester. Since I was the very first of my extended family to go to college, it was an unknown and I really didn't know what to expect or what I should do and it took a while to become acclimated," Jim said.

Far from rural farmland, Judy was raised in a much more urban area but quickly found herself on a similar path as Jim.

"I went to an inner city high school in Chicago and was the first in my family to go to college. My parents were factory workers and couldn't afford to send me to college. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship and work study," Judy said.

Upon completing his bachelor's degree, Jim entered the Navy and then worked in fertilizer sales. Judy taught at a Chicago high school for several years. In a twist of fate, the two both enrolled in graduate school at the University of Illinois the same semester.

"I met Jim at registration in graduate school and we very quickly discovered we were meant for each other," Judy said. "We married within three months and then his path became my path."

After finishing their degrees, Jim was hired at WIU and the Nisses moved to Macomb in 1963. Jim served as a professor of economics for more than 30 years and Judy worked at WIU as an academic advisor for a few years before pursuing teaching positions outside the university.

"Teaching at WIU has been one of the highlights of my life because it provided an opportunity to work with faculty who were absolutely fantastic and students who were even better," Jim said.

Through their upbringings and experiences, the Nisses learned the importance of a college education and the need for private support for college students.

"College has become very expensive and it's important that students persist and make it through the graduation process," Jim said. "It's important to put your money where you feel it's important and I think education is extremely important."

Through conversations with WIU Advancement staff, the Nisses have developed plans to provide significant financial support to WIU students through a $3 million estate gift. The gift will be split between two scholarship funds, providing financial support for 15-18 students annually. Each scholarship will be valued at the greater of $8,000 or 50% of tuition and fees.

Half of the Nisses' gift will go to endow the James F. and Judith H. Niss Endowed Scholarship for the College of Business and Technology, providing scholarship support for undergraduate students pursuing a business degree.

"We are profoundly grateful to Jim and Judy Niss for their extraordinary generosity," Interim Dean of the College of Business and Technology Tara Feld said. "The Niss Endowed Scholarship will ease the financial burden for our students, making higher education more affordable and accessible. This investment will transform lives, create new opportunities, and ensure that our graduates carry forward the knowledge and skills that strengthen communities and drive economic growth across our region and beyond."

The rest of the Nisses' gift will endow the James F. and Judith H. Niss Endowed Scholarship for the College of Education and Human Services, establishing scholarship support for undergraduate students earning a teaching degree.

"The Niss Endowed Scholarship provides an incredible opportunity to support students pursuing their Professional Education Licenses at WIU. This is particularly important given that the current teacher shortage--the worst in our state and national history--remains stubbornly entrenched," Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Services Eric Sheffield said. "The great rewards that come from a teaching career are not financial, but come in positively impacting individuals who impact whole communities. This fund will go a long way in mitigating the financial burden of a college education that comes with minimal financial reward. We are grateful for the Nisses' investment in our students."

The Nisses' transformational gift was announced via a video presentation during the 2025 donor banquet. To learn more about the Nisses and their gift, view the video here.

"The Nisses' story is a powerful reminder of how education transforms lives and generosity transforms futures," Interim Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations Amy Crosby said. "Their legacy will impact generations of Leathernecks for years to come. We are honored and inspired by their commitment to WIU."

Donors considering including WIU in their will or interested in receiving more information about estate planning can contact Crosby at al-crosby@wiu.edu.

Posted By: Drew Donahoo (AM-Donahoo@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing