2021 Archives

Saluki Athletics launches four-year giving campaign

A four-year, $25 million fundraising campaign will provide necessary funding to support the future of athletics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. [MORE]

Siblings Support Saluki Family: Brother-sister duo make gift to name Guida-Moller Family Alumni Center

When considering the opportunity to make a transformational gift to SIU, the idea of naming the Alumni Center made perfect sense to Julie Guida and Scott Moller, siblings and proud SIU alumni. [MORE]

New Name, More Hope: Major gift to School of Medicine will transform Alzheimer’s care, research

SIU School of Medicine's impact on the community prompted Dale Smith and his wife, Deborah, to donate a substantial financial gift to the Alzheimer’s Center at SIU to expand research, enhance programming and improve care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and assist their caregivers. [MORE]

Celebrating a life well lived: Scholarship honors lifelong business professor

Marvin received his Ph.D. in accounting in 1966 and was courted by several universities. He chose SIU because of its midwestern values and proximity to hometown Paducah. [MORE]

Dunbar Leadership Society Supports Diverse Students, Thoughts

Through the Dunbar Leadership Society, Tucker hopes to reinvigorate SIU’s diverse alumni and create opportunities for current and future Salukis. It’s his plan to raise scholarship funds and host events that resonate with members of a multicultural campus. [MORE]

November 2021

Hamilton County graduate receives Don and Edith Braden Scholarship

Brandon Peters, SIU freshman and recipient of the Don and Edith Braden scholarship award, graduated from Hamilton County High School in 2020 and is pursuing a degree in aviation management from SIU. [MORE]

Donor fulfills parents’ dreams with scholarship fund

Wayne Braden isn’t an SIU alumnus, but he certainly has the heart and spirit of a Saluki. Braden recently donated $25,000 for an endowed scholarship and made a $1 million planned gift commitment to honor his parents, Don and Edith Braden, who were from rural southeastern Illinois. [MORE]

Rosser seeks to inspire with $1M basketball scholarship

Dr. James M. Rosser is thankful for the opportunity presented to him by SIU, and he has been sure to pay it forward at every turn. [MORE]

Sahlin establishes scholarship for the SIU College of Business and Analytics

Bill Sahlin has lived and worked all over the world, but he hasn’t forgotten the role SIU played in his life over 50 years ago. [MORE]

October 2021

Siblings support Saluki family: Brother-sister duo make gift to name Moller-Guida Family SIU Alumni Center

With their $500,000 donation, the C-wing of Woody Hall will be named the Moller-Guida Family SIU Alumni Center. The funds will be used to support the SIU Alumni Association, its scholarships, and programs. [MORE]

September 2021

Scholarships allow student-athletes to thrive

Evan Martin, a member of the SIU baseball team, was drawn to SIU because of the opportunities for financial assistance. [MORE]

SIU welcomes a new dean for the College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences

Meet Eric Brevik, a professor of geology and soil science from North Dakota’s Dickinson State University. Brevik began his duties as dean of the College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences (CALPS) on July 1, 2021. [MORE]

A love of teaching inspires other

Lida Lisenby Taylor’s life and commitment to education are being remembered through a scholarship fund set up by her daughter, Cynthia Taylor Rice. [MORE]

Putnam: Promoting a University of Access

It’s been 40 years since Adaire Putnam graduated from SIU, but her continued affinity for the school and its students is what brought her to the SIU Foundation Board of Directors. [MORE]

SIU Alumnus makes estate gift of $1 million

Brad Choate ’79, ’84 and his wife, Julie, are one of the university’s most devoted supporters. Their recent $1 million estate gift will provide funding for undergraduate scholarships and other key priorities. [MORE]

Campaign Progress Strong; Foundation Making an Impact

During FY21, the SIU Foundation raised more than $25 million, which was just short of the record-setting $28 million raised in FY20. The Forever SIU campaign finished FY21 at just more than $130.5 million. [MORE]

August 2021

SIU Credit Union donates $500K to SIU’s Touch of Nature

The SIU Credit Union presented a $500,000 check to SIU’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center at an event Thursday morning in the office of SIU Chancellor Austin Lane. [MORE]

June 2021

SIU Foundation provides Fermentation Science Institute funding

In its role as an accelerator, the SIU Foundation is committed to advance the efforts of the FSI and has agreed to provide a grant of $1.1 million to allow for further development of the infrastructure within the McLafferty Annex. [MORE]

Meet Scholarship Recipient Vernecelyn Allen

Allen applied to eight other universities in addition to SIU; however, it was being awarded the Chancellor’s Scholarship that helped her choose SIU. [MORE]

Ong establishes scholarships, brings academic competitions to SIU

Henry Ong has lived and worked all around the world, but he hasn’t forgotten the role SIU played in his life. [MORE]

Matt Solverson: A Lifetime Saluki

For Matt Solverson, SIU has played a prominent role throughout his entire life. [MORE]

Craddock Facilitates Recruiting Trip to Hometown High School

From philanthropy to campus involvement to recruitment and retention, every alumni and university supporter can make a major difference. “I wanted to have a hand in growing enrollment and raising awareness of SIU,” Craddock said. “It was a very special trip for me.” [MORE]

Spotlight on Dean Liu

Dean Liu‘s plan is to build a larger and higher-ranked college that is recognized for student success, excellent academic programs, strong research and a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment. The college has significant growth opportunities. The demand for engineering talents is strong. [MORE]

Renewed Spirit Behind Forever SIU Campaign

Through more than four years and one global pandemic, the Forever SIU fundraising campaign has persisted, raising more than $122 million. [MORE]

May 2021

A family legacy of teaching

The legacy of teaching runs strong in Marilyn Black’s family. Black, a 1960 alumna from the SIU College of Education, learned about the value of teaching from her parents, who were themselves graduates of the SIU College of Education. [MORE]

Chancellor’s Scholarship Program nurtures special connections

“By financially backing the Chancellor’s Scholarship Program, our alumni can put their stamp on one of the university’s most prestigious programs.” [MORE]

April 2021

Saluki bond strengthened through scholarships

Young, a senior from Fort Wayne, Indiana, has received an athletic scholarship, a Dean’s Scholarship and the Carol Lee Swim Memorial Award, which is given to a female Kinesiology major at the senior level. [MORE]

Interview with Dan Korte

"Each time I give, I know I am helping the latest generation of students that grace the halls of SIU pursue their dreams and become the bright leaders we need to address the world’s many challenges today and tomorrow. I ask you to consider doing the same." [MORE]

March 2021

Donation supports business students, hands-on experience

Mark and Laura Ford, ’02 and ’01, have pledged $40,000 to the SIU College of Business and Analytics. The money will be split between the dean’s general fund and paying for upgrades to the technology used by the Saluki Student Investment Fund. [MORE]

Connecting with Camille Davidson: SIU Law’s new dean emphasizes alumni, student needs

Even with the school’s success, Davidson sees an opportunity to expand the influence of SIU Law. [MORE]

Forever SIU Campaign Update

Since Southern Illinois University Carbondale expanded the Forever SIU Campaign in December 2019, supporters of SIU have given over $20 million toward the university’s $200 million campaign goal. [MORE]

SIU Day of Giving raises over $2.8 million

More than $2.8 million was raised during the 2021 SIU Day of Giving, shattering last year’s record. [MORE]

Poshards honor others with $100,000 gift to Morris Library

Their $100,000 donation will name four rooms in the library’s Special Collection Research Center. They will be named after Dr. Paul Sarvela, Dr. John Haller, Dr. Duane Stucky, and Paula Keith. Each left a lasting impression on the Poshards. [MORE]

People Helping People – SIU Credit Union Kicks Off 5th SIU Day of Giving

This year, SIU Credit Union kicked off the special day with two gifts. The first donation of $20,000 will benefit SIU’s New Student Programs and the second donation of $15,000 will go to Touch of Nature’s Dawg Days program. [MORE]

February 2021

Chancellor Lane: A Day to Move Forward Together

On March 3, I’m asking all Salukis to visit siuday.siu.edu and donate. It doesn’t matter if it’s $5, $50 or $500. Each year, thousands of Salukis join the cause and make the Day of Giving special, and every dollar makes a difference. [MORE]

The last act of a giving heart: Hill, longtime SIU supporter, passes away at 104

Anne Hill, 104, long-time donor, alumna, and former SIU staff member, passed away Monday, Feb. 15. One of her last acts was to endow a scholarship award through the School of Music honoring her uncle – the Carl Deis Music Composition Award Endowment. [MORE]

Learn About SIU College of Engineering’s Leaders of Tomorrow

The SIU College of Engineering holds fast to a unique tradition of access and opportunity, inclusive excellence, and top-tier research. The faculty encourage creativity within a climate of outstanding student success-focused teaching. [MORE]