1977 U. of I. Graduate Leaves Her Legacy to Preserve Historic Round Barns
August 27, 2025 09:15 AM
By all accounts, Leah Jane Wightman was a loyal friend and daughter, a dedicated professional, and a very private person. When she passed away on November 18, 2024, at the age of 84, she demonstrated her deep connection to her upbringing on an Illinois farm. She left an estate valued at $10 million to name and sustain the three historic round barns at the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign.
“We are honored by Ms. Wightman’s generosity and foresight,” said Dr. Peter Constable, dean of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. “The round barns stand as monuments to the state’s agricultural foundation and the university’s many contributions to that industry. Her gift will allow us to preserve these structures and restore them so they continue to provide beauty and utility.”
The veterinary college has occupied land adjacent to the barns since the 1970s. In 2023, the campus assigned oversight of the easternmost barn, which is nearest the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and its adjacent farmhouse to the College of Veterinary Medicine. Recently, the college took on management of the other two barns as well.
“Leah grew up on a farm near Arcola, Illinois,” shared Christine Dietrich, associate dean for advancement at the College of Veterinary Medicine. “There was a round barn not far from the house she lived in. Her friends and relatives have told us that these barns held a special place in her heart.”
