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Cwiklo Gift

Humble Beginnings

Edward C. Cwiklo was born to immigrant parents on March 4, 1914. His parents, Mary Lewandowski and Peter Cwiklo, traveled from Poland to the United States in the early 1900's in search of a better life. The family settled in Chicago until Ed was 12, where they then moved to Rockdale, IL.

Ed's father worked at American Steel while his mother stayed at home and cared for Ed. Throughout his childhood Ed was a loner. At an early age Ed became friends with Reino Huumo who also lived in Rockdale. The two boys were inseparable throughout their childhood. As long-time friend Irene Huumo describes "they stuck together all of those years."

John Kos, also from Rockdale was also a good friend of Ed and Reino. John would later run a grocery store on Midland Avenue in Joliet. The boys enjoyed golf and are remembered to have caddied at Woodruff Golf Course to put extra money in their pockets during the summer months.

Generous Gift

Ed attended Rockdale grade schools and Joliet Township High School. He was an excellent student and was inducted as a member of Honor Society. When Ed was a senior at JTHS he was approached by the Dean of Students, Ira D. Yaggy, and asked Ed what he planned to do after graduation. Ed explained that he would like to attend college, but his family wasn't able to afford it. Dean Yaggy assisted Ed in applying for a full scholarship to attend JJC. While the exact scholarship awarded to Ed is unknown, four scholarships were available for students attending JJC in 1933. Most likely Ed was awarded a scholarship provided by the Joliet Township Board of Education to cover the tuition of Junior College for two years.

After receiving a scholarship to attend JJC, Ed told Dean Yaggy and many others that one day he would repay the college for the generous gift that had been given to him. His appreciation would indeed lead to a legacy that will forever be remembered at JJC.

In the 1935 JJC year book Edward Cwiklo was penned as being "A brilliant mind that makes the whole darned troupe of integrals and quanta jump right through the hoop." He graduated from JJC in 1935 with an Associate's degree in Electrical Engineering. Ed would go on to University of Illinois to earn a Bachelor's Degree in engineering.

Extraordinary Accomplishments

After graduating from the University he began working for General Electric. During his employment at General Electric he traveled the world and made significant contributions to design the engines used in World War II. Ed relocated from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Schenectady, NY for General Electric. He also took his parents and grandmother to N.Y. to assist in providing their care.

After Ed lost his grandmother and parents he reunited with Zetta Spath of Fort Wayne, IN. The two married and lived happily. After retiring from GE Ed and Zetta relocated to Sun City, Florida.

Throughout his adult life he had stayed in touch with his childhood friend Reino Huumo. Reino's wife, Irene, felt that Ed was a part of their family. When traveling for work, Ed often visited the Huumo's. Irene remembers, "He traveled a lot, but he didn't like flying. Ed had a wonderful sense of humor and made the best of it."

Irene and Reino Huumo also retired in Sun City, FL. Both couples enjoyed living near one another. "Ed was like a brother," Irene explained. His extraordinary gift will benefit JJC students for many years to come. Those who remember Ed cite thoughtful glimpses of a man who was reflective, but didn't like to boast about his accomplishments. He enjoyed golfing and had a strong belief in God.

Sadly, in October of 2004, Edward C. Cwiklo lost his life at the age of 90 to congestive heart failure. His gratitude to JJC will be forever remembered with his generous unrestricted gift of $2.2 million.

A Legacy

Recently, the Joliet Junior College Foundation hosted a breakfast on main campus in honor of the Cwiklo gift. Then Foundation Board of Directors President, Wayne Klasing greeted guests and explained that the unrestricted gift would benefit JJC students through scholarships and projects to be determined in the future.

A pictoral presentation was shown describing the life of Edward C. Cwiklo. Then President J. D. Ross expressed the College's gratitude for the momentous gift and reminded the audience that this gift was given because of the impact JJC had on Edward Cwiklo's life. He explained that Edward Cwiklo was obviously a bright man who would have gone on to achieve great things without JJC. But what makes this story extraordinary is the relationships that Edward Cwiklo had with faculty, staff and administration. Because of these relationships JJC has received its largest gift ever.