Local Philanthropists Make $10 Million Gift to the UI College of Applied Health Sciences

Shahid Khan, president of Flex-N-Gate Corporation in Urbana, Illinois, and his wife Ann Carlson Khan, have continued their generous support of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by making a gift of $10 million to fund the new north addition of Huff Hall. The addition, known as the Khan Annex, houses programs of the College of Applied Health Sciences, including the Center on Health, Aging, and Disability and the Master of Public Health program. The Khan Annex was formally dedicated at an event on Thursday, September 22.

“We wanted to invest in a facility that would support the mission of the College of Applied Health Sciences: education and outreach that will promote health across the lifespan and will improve the self-sufficiency and quality of life of all people,” said Ann Khan. “This facility will provide a modern environment for faculty and students to collaborate in their education and research.”

The Khan Annex provides over 24,000 square feet of state-of-the-art of laboratory, instructional and professional collaboration facilities. The Center on Health, Aging, and Disability includes a conference room, a project development “Collaboratory,” a video conferencing room, and a graduate student resource center. The new addition also will house the James K. and Karen S. McKechnie Laboratory, classroom facilities, and faculty offices. The addition to this iconic building completes the architectural design envisioned nearly 90 years ago when Huff Hall was still on the drawing board. The original design called for two wings, connected by a central structure to form a Block I in the heart of this historic campus. The Khan Annex completes the original vision.

The dedication ceremony included remarks from UI President Michael J. Hogan, Applied Health Sciences Dean Tanya Gallagher, UI Board of Trustees Member Karen A. Hasara, UI Foundation President Sidney S. Micek, and Shahid Khan.

“The Khan Annex will be a life-changing incubator, producing the best-in-class graduates and the groundbreaking innovation that will help Americans live healthier, happier and more self-sufficient lives,” said Hogan. “My thanks to Shahid and Ann Khan and the other generous donors who helped add this new jewel to our world-class Urbana-Champaign campus.”

“Due in large part to the pioneering work that took place at the University of Illinois, people with disabilities have greater access to education, employment, and community involvement,” said Karen Hasara. “With the dedication of the Khan Annex, the University of Illinois continues this tradition of leadership in research that impacts the health and wellness of individuals across the lifespan, helping the state of Illinois meet the health needs of its population.”

“The Khan Annex will serve as a state-of-the-art facility for innovative, interdisciplinary, collaborative interactions that will help us create a future that will continue to transform possibilities into realities that improve people’s lives,” said Tanya Gallagher. “The research, education, and outreach activities that will take place in this new addition will promote health and wellness, independent living, healthy communities, and the optimal participation of persons with disabilities. We are deeply grateful to Shahid and Ann Khan for their support.”

Shahid and Ann Carlson Khan are longtime supporters of the University of Illinois. Beneficiaries of their generosity include Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the University Library, the College of Business, and the College of Applied Health Sciences, where they have funded five endowed Khan Professorships. The Khans have also funded the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex at the University of Illinois, home to the University’s men’s and women’s tennis teams.

In addition to the Khans, other donors have contributed to the Khan Annex. James and Karen McKechnie have funded a research laboratory in the Center on Health, Aging, and Disability. Linda and Ray Whitney have funded the Linda Ayers Whitney Reception Area for the Center on Health, Aging, and Disability, while Michael Vitoux has funded the reception area for the Master of Public Health Program.