2017 Archives

December 2017

SIUC alumnus Tilden “Tim” Parks donates $1.3 million for student scholarships

Today, this SIU fan is adding to his long-time support by donating an additional $1.3 million to Southern Illinois University Carbondale to provide scholarships for future Salukis. [MORE]

Business alumnus Lynn McPheeters donates to help future business Salukis succeed

Growing up on a farm near Canton, F. Lynn McPheeters never imagined he would become the chief financial officer and vice president of Caterpillar Inc. Now, he’s donating $1 million to Southern Illinois University Carbondale, his alma mater, to help future Salukis succeed. [MORE]

Artist’s gift to benefit graduate students

Artist Jimmy Wright, who earned a master of fine arts degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1971, is providing a $1 million gift to fully fund fellowships for graduate students in art at SIU. [MORE]

Gift Honors Lives Of Discovery, Education

Haree Deutchman dedicated her life to the excitement of discovery. Her mother, Muriel, is helping others who share her daughter’s passion by establishing the Muriel and Bernard Deutchman Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of Dr. Haree Lynn Deutchman. The fund provides scholarships to support graduate students in philosophy. [MORE]

Leaving a powerful legacy

A $1.5 million estate gift from William Hill, a 1942 SIU graduate, will establish two scholarships each year to junior or senior zoology majors with grade point averages of at least 3.0 in all zoology courses. [MORE]

Boat Dock And Pavilion Expected To Be Ready By Spring

Ralph E. Becker, the man responsible for the $1 million donation that’s funding the work, is also monitoring the construction via a private camera feed to his North Carolina home. Mr. Becker, one of the pioneers of the university’s radio-television program, is an SIU Carbondale graduate class of 1955 and an Alumni Achievement Award recipient. [MORE]

Ibendahl Gift Allows Students to Experience a Day in the Life of a Veterinarian

The funds Atkinson received from the Ibendahl award went directly to purchase supplies for the inaugural Saluki Enrichment Pre-Veterinary Program camp, which aims to show high school students what a day is like in the life of a veterinarian. [MORE]

Big hearts with big dreams

The Ibendhals maintained a strong affinity for SIU, and in the early 1970s they gave a substantial real estate gift to the university. In their last years they arranged to give an estate gift of $300,000, ensuring that their legacy could be carried out far beyond their lifetimes. [MORE]

November 2017

Scholarship leads to important mission

“I was always taught from an early age that money was important, but always scarce,” Uzoewulu said. “With this scholarship, my mother now has one less thing to worry about and can relax a little." [MORE]

Library improvements would benefit recruitment, retention

The library is much more than just books – although there are more than three million of those. Students are looking for high-end technology, spaces to gather and study and opportunities to enrich their experience. [MORE]

Automotive technology meeting growing demand

Innovation thrives when students are engaged, and students are most engaged when they’re immersed in their passion to learn. [MORE]

Theater injects life, art into community

“It helps bring artistic life and increases the quality of life in the community.” [MORE]

Grace Handlos grateful for dean scholarship

Handlos is a dean scholarship recipient. She says she will never forget opening the envelope from SIU informing her of the scholarship award. [MORE]

Jeanne Hurley Simon Memorial Library Endowment scholarship expands horizon

Dave Whitfield, a graduate student from Cairo, Illinois, and a Morris Library student employee, was awarded the Jeanne Hurley scholarship in May 2017. Whitfield said the scholarship has him leaning toward pursuing a master’s degree in library science after he receives his doctorate in communication studies. [MORE]

October 2017

The Opportunities are Boundless at SIU College of Agricultural Sciences

“SIU’s College of Agricultural Sciences has one of the strongest programs in the entire state of Illinois. When I visited last year, I was impressed by the number of opportunities and just how friendly the faculty were to me.” [MORE]

Childress Scholarship grows benefiting business students

Their final wish was to offer a helping hand to even more young people, so they added a $2 million gift to SIU’s James B. and Rosemary S. Childress Scholarship endowment. SIU Foundation officials estimate the fund will now generate about $80,000 annually that can be awarded to SIU business students. [MORE]

Scholarship shows university values hard work

“It was nice to know the university valued someone who had put in the work,” he said. “I can’t show my appreciation enough. Donors make so many things possible for so many students.” [MORE]

Scholarships nurture healthy appetite for success

“Donations change people’s lives,” Eigsti said. “It’s so nice to have people out there who make education more accessible. Any amount can help.” [MORE]

Cybersecurity program booming

A point of pride for the program is the Security Dawgs cyberdefense team, a student organization that gives students hands-on experience through participation in cyberdefense and cybersecurity competitions. The team consistently earns first- or second-place honors in the state’s annual college cyberdefense competitions. [MORE]

September 2017

How encouragement changed the life of an SIU Carbondale alumnus

Gougis credits the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute with giving him the keys to opening doors of opportunity for his career. [MORE]

Public Policy Institute attracts, develops the best and brightest

Lauren Connor’s experience at SIU was enhanced by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. [MORE]

School of Law broadens horizons

“Attending law school has changed my life and broadened my horizons. As I learn about legal issues, I have a greater understanding of how to help people who are having problems in life." [MORE]

SIU graduate thankful for unique opportunities

If Shaka Mitchell, a 2011 SIU Carbondale graduate, could sum up his experience with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute in one word, it would be “exposure.” [MORE]

Law clinics add value for students, community

Nathan Davis is doing more than earning a degree from the SIU School of Law, he’s gaining valuable, real-world experience. [MORE]

August 2017

Student Spotlight: Kinesiology Student Sean Gloss

The research, coupled with the program’s community outreach, is what ignited Gloss’ passion for the program. [MORE]

Mortuary Science planning the next step

Through the Forever SIU fundraising campaign, those in charge of the program hope to take it to the next level and add more value by building an on-site crematorium. [MORE]

Student Spotlight: Meet College of Agricultural Sciences Major Paxton Morse

"The professors and staff all know my name, they are friendly, and just make me feel like family. There is really no other college and university I’d rather be attending.” [MORE]

Family Helping Family

Monetary donations to support these areas of the farm or donating actual items is the best way to ensure University Farms continues its success. [MORE]

Kinesiology offers unique perspective

“The kinesiology department helped me view sports from a different perspective. This program has opened up an entire new world.” [MORE]

Exploration at Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences

Some hidden gems across campus go unnoticed because of their geographic locations. [MORE]

June 2017

SIU alumnus makes $25,000 gift

J. Mark Wehrle spent much of his life teaching and helping others. By endowing a scholarship in sociology at SIU, he further fortifies his legacy. [MORE]

April 2017

Provost’s $25K gift spurred by pride, passion

As a nationally renowned researcher and current SIU provost, Susan Ford understands the powerful impact that giving back has on the future. [MORE]

March 2017

World travelers give back to their roots

Nine hundred dollars. That was all she needed to remain in school. But Darlene Albert Knott just didn’t have it. [MORE]

Dean Achenbach shares rock-solid support for Campus Lake

Laurie Achenbach has dedicated her professional life to science and SIU. On March 1, she strengthened that commitment by donating $10,000 on SIU’s inaugural Day of Giving. [MORE]

February 2017

SIU Credit Union makes first corporate gift for SIU Day of Giving

Giving is in the DNA of those at the SIU Credit Union, and local charities have regularly been the beneficiaries of their benevolence. [MORE]

January 2017

Tilden Parks – superfan!

In fact, Parks just might own the record for the longest streak in sports ever – by a fan, at least. [MORE]

Turning dreams into a reality

It often is said that while most of us dream about great things, engineers just go and do them. [MORE]