Supporters Like You
Read about supporters who give students real-life, hands-on learning opportunities within and beyond the classroom.
Larry Dalton
Larry Jay Dalton credits SIU with opening the door to a 43 year career at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories and returned nearly six decades later to inspire students through his story.
Adam Wolfe
With a scholarship, technical training and guidance from SIU, Adam Wolfe turned a senior year idea into Boost Auto and a successful career as an entrepreneur.
“What is very important to me is to make a contribution to life and give back.”
Tim Griffith
A lifelong love of the outdoors inspired Tim Griffith to create a $150,000 planned gift that will expand access and opportunity at Touch of Nature.
Read more of his story
Hearing Tim Griffith speak about his time at Southern Illinois University, it quickly becomes clear that he has a connection that transcends human interaction. It was at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center that he found something deeper.
His love for nature and his passion for conservation have been the driving force behind his enduring support for the university and its initiatives.
“The importance of Touch of Nature is that it’s here. It’s not some foreign place. This is home,” Griffith said.
Recently, he established a $150,000 planned gift to support Touch of Nature through the Griffith Family Endowment Fund for Camp Excellence. This generous contribution will enhance camp operations, inclusivity, and accessibility, ensuring that future generations can experience the beauty and wonder of nature.
“I have been a supporter of SIU ever since the day I graduated, really. Touch of Nature is a very special place to me. This is my cathedral,” he said.
After graduating from Southern in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in plant and soil sciences from the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences, Griffith spent 37 years in the agricultural seed industry, working as the director of agronomic services for Agri Gold Hybrids. After retiring, he pursued his lifelong dream of becoming a wildlife biologist, dedicating himself to wildlife conservation and soil and water conservation efforts.
“I grew up in the flatlands of central Illinois and spent every waking minute outdoors if I could,” he said. “I got to come down to SIU for a visit and went out, and I immediately knew this is where I’m going. Forget all the other schools. I could be in the woods every day on campus.”
Touch of Nature provides an outdoor learning environment that impacts both SIU students and the Southern Illinois community. With support from alumni like Griffith, more opportunities will become available.
“This is his place, and you see him light up when he comes back,” said Brian Croft, executive director of Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. “He found his passion here at SIU and Touch of Nature. It makes me realize that what we’re doing is important.”
Ken Park
After a career performing with renowned artists around the world, Ken Park donated percussion instruments worth $100,000 so SIU students can explore new sounds and develop their own musical voices.
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Kenneth “Ken” Park, a 1971 graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Music, has donated $100,000 worth of percussion instruments and accessory items to the SIU School of Music, giving students hands-on access to global sounds and professional-grade gear.
“I’ve known for years that I wanted my instruments to come home to SIU,” said Park, 80, who lives in Westchester, California. “These drums and mallet instruments were my therapy and my friends. I hope students will hear the human side of music in them and create their own sound.”
A Gift of Global Sound
Park’s gift includes an array of instruments that reflect a lifetime of studio and touring work, from timpani and vibraphone to Latin and world percussion. He said the collection will help students explore color, texture, and rhythm across cultures in real time, rather than only through samples.
“You can have a laptop and use samples,” Park said. “But in the room, with people, you hear the real instrument. You learn how to tune it, how it feels, and how it sits in the music. That’s how creativity opens up.”
From Small Town to the World Stage
Raised in Murphysboro, Illinois, Park began playing professionally in grade school after a local teacher who led the area musicians’ union spotted his talent. He performed with SIU faculty and in southern Illinois clubs before serving in the Fifth U.S. Army Band at Fort Sheridan, where he led the percussion section. After SIU, he built a wide-ranging career in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, and on international stages.
A Career of Notable Collaborations
Park’s professional résumé spans some of the biggest names in music. He has recorded for Capitol Records, Casablanca Records, Arista Records, and Geffen Records, working with Donna Summer, Barry Manilow, Tammy Wynette, Peggy Lee, Dionne Warwick, and Doc Severinsen of “The Tonight Show.”
On stage, he has shared concert and tour bills with Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Donna Summer, Barry Manilow, and Kitaro, performing on multiple world tours. His versatility has taken him from Broadway, where he played in Tintypes, to diverse ensembles such as the new-age group Istar, the Crystal Palace Ragtime Band, and Magic’s John Blues Band.
His television credits include performing cues for the series Tenspeed and Brown Shoe and Major Dad.
“My break in Hollywood came with Donna Summer,” Park said. “I auditioned, played the parts exactly as written, and she said, ‘You’re hired.’ Later I toured with Barry Manilow and recorded for artists like Dionne Warwick and Neil Diamond. I learned to bring the right sound for the song and to be fast and prepared.”
SIU’s Lasting Impact
Park credits SIU faculty for giving him space to practice, perform, and grow.
“This is where I learned the musical part of music,” he said. “Professors encouraged me, let me play in percussion ensemble, and helped me study classical music. I’m forever grateful they put up with my madness and gave me a shot.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
The decision to part with his instruments, Park said, was emotional but clear.
“When I came back to campus for a visit and talked about donating my collection to the School of Music, Dr. Chris Butler looked me in the eye and said, ‘I’ll take care of your babies.’ That sealed it, and I knew this was the right place,” he said. “Once I returned home, I walked around the block, had a good cry, and started packing.”
Park hopes the instruments inspire students to chase curiosity and discipline in equal measure.
“Practice slowly and value your time here,” he said. “Play in every ensemble you can. Learn the piano so your ear develops. Tune your instruments and listen to music from everywhere. If you do that for four years, you’ll have a real shot.”
He also wants students to remember that percussion is more than timekeeping.
“Good drummers and percussionists are musicians first,” Park said. “Learn the notes, learn the harmony, and learn how your part colors the whole track. That’s what gets you called back.”
A Legacy of Music
Even as he winds down his performance schedule, Park remains energized by music. He has performed with the Beach Cities Symphony in Southern California for more than four decades and plans to keep a small setup to play at home.
“I’ve gone my whole life at full speed,” he said. “Now I’m trying to slow down, listen, and enjoy it. I’m grateful to God, to my parents who let me play in the bars as a kid, and to SIU for giving me a place to learn.”
Park said sending the collection to his alma mater feels personal.
“I didn’t have children,” he said. “These instruments are my kids, and I’m sending them to college. I want SIU students to bang on them, explore, record, flip the sounds, and build something new. That’s the joy of percussion.”
Expanding Opportunities at SIU
The School of Music will catalog and integrate the instruments into ensembles, lessons, and recording projects throughout the year. Park believes the impact will be immediate.
“Students will get to play the world,” he said. “South American, African, Asian, classical, jazz — it’s all there. When you put it in context with real, hands-on instruments, it changes how you hear everything.”
SIU holds a rare distinction as one of only 21 universities nationwide — out of nearly 4,000 — recognized by the Carnegie Classification for both Research 1 status, the highest level of research activity, and as an Opportunity College and University, which honors institutions that expand access and foster social mobility. This dual recognition reflects SIU’s commitment to advancing knowledge while opening doors for students from all backgrounds. Park’s gift to the School of Music embodies that mission, enriching hands-on learning and inspiring future musicians to create, innovate, and share their art with the world.
This contribution also supports Imagine SIU 2030, the university’s comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the campaign has raised more than $422 million toward its $500 million goal, making it the fifth largest fundraising effort in Illinois higher education. In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17 percent of the student body.
Gifts like Park’s ensure that SIU continues to grow as a place where research, opportunity, and access come together to change lives for generations to come.
“I have been a supporter of SIU ever since the day I graduated.”
The Saegesser Family
Grateful for the education and support SIU gave Bill, William and Shirley Saegesser established a scholarship and planned gift to encourage future engineering students, especially those who are the first in their families to attend college.
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CARBONDALE, Ill. — William and Shirley Saegesser have created a legacy of opportunity at Southern Illinois University Carbondale through a $100,000 endowed scholarship and a $500,000 planned gift that will support future generations of Salukis pursuing degrees in the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics.
The couple, who live in Jeffersonville, Indiana, say the gift reflects their gratitude for the role SIU played in shaping their lives and their desire to give others the same chance to succeed.
For William, known as Bill, that opportunity came after serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. With help from the GI Bill, he enrolled at SIU and earned his bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology in 1973. He credits the university’s hands-on approach and supportive professors for giving him the skills and confidence to build a successful career in Civil Engineering and Land Surveying.
“SIU wrapped its arms around me when I arrived,” he said. “It gave me not just an education, but a sense of belonging and purpose. Shirley and I want students to feel that same support, especially those who may not have family members who went to college before them.”
The William and Shirley Saegesser Engineering Excellence Scholarship will prioritize first-generation students pursuing degrees in engineering fields. The couple hopes the fund will ease financial burdens and serve as a reminder that others believe in their potential.
“This scholarship is meant to be a tangible pat on the back,” Bill said. “Sometimes a student just needs that extra encouragement to keep going.”
A partnership built on hard work and shared purpose
Bill and Shirley’s story began in high school, where they met. After Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy, the couple married and began their life together. They were first stationed in Meridian, Mississippi, where they purchased a mobile home and later moved it to Albany, Georgia, when Bill was assigned to sea duty.
After his discharge from the Navy, they brought the same mobile home to Carbondale in the fall of 1970 so Bill could attend SIU. Shirley found work in the business office at The Southern Illinoisan newspaper to help support the household while Bill attended classes full-time. When Bill graduated, they sold the mobile home — a symbol of how far they had come and the foundation they had built together.
From the classroom to the company boardroom
After graduation, Bill began working for engineering firms, where he applied the practical skills he learned at SIU. Bill, Shirley and their son Casey later established Saegesser Engineering, a Civil Engineering and Land Surveying company that served communities throughout Indiana for more than two decades.
“We built a business from the ground up, and it all started with what I learned at SIU,” he said. “My professors didn’t just teach us equations; they taught us how to think critically, how to communicate, and how to manage real-world projects. That’s what prepared me to lead a company and serve clients with confidence.”
Saegesser Engineering focused on municipal and private development projects, offering design, surveying, and construction management services. Over the years, Bill enjoyed mentoring young engineers and surveyors, encouraging them to continue their education and pursue professional licensure.
“That’s part of why this scholarship means so much,” he said. “I’ve seen firsthand what happens when someone invests in a young person’s potential. It changes everything.”
Giving back, looking forward
In addition to the endowed scholarship, the Saegessers have committed $500,000 through a planned gift to expand the fund in the future. They also intend to make annual contributions through qualified charitable distributions from their retirement accounts.
“We’ve been blessed,” Shirley said. “It feels right to do something lasting, something that helps students like we once were.”
The couple remains connected to SIU through alumni activities and Saluki athletics. During the scholarship dinner on Nov. 7, they met their first scholarship recipient, Ricardo Salgado, a junior at SIU studying civil engineering.
“This is about opening doors and building momentum for students from Southern Illinois and beyond,” Bill said. “SIU changed our lives. Now it’s our turn to help SIU change someone else’s.”
SIU: Research, opportunity, and impact
SIU holds a rare distinction as one of only 21 universities nationwide — out of nearly 4,000 — recognized by the Carnegie Classification for both Research 1 status, the highest level of research activity, and as an Opportunity College and University, which honors institutions that expand access and foster social mobility. This dual recognition reflects SIU’s commitment to advancing knowledge while opening doors for students from all backgrounds.
The Saegessers’ gift to the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology and Mathematics embodies that mission, empowering first-generation students to pursue hands-on learning and careers that drive innovation, sustainability, and economic development.
This contribution also supports Imagine SIU 2030, the university’s comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the campaign has raised more than $435 million toward its $500 million goal, making it the fifth-largest fundraising effort in Illinois higher education. In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17 percent of the student body.
Gifts like the Saegessers’ ensure that SIU continues to grow as a place where research, opportunity, and access come together to change lives for generations to come.
To support the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics, visit siuf.org/engineering.
Mark Hart
Inspired by the mentor who encouraged him to persevere, Mark Hart established a $75,000 scholarship endowment to support students in SIU’s School of Education.
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Mark Hart, a proud alumnus of Southern Illinois University, has made significant contributions to his alma mater through his unwavering support. Hart, who graduated in 1989 with a degree in Vocational Education Studies, has a deep-rooted connection to SIU that has only grown stronger over the years.
His dedication to SIU is evident in his philanthropic efforts. With a $75,000 gift, Hart established the Mark S. Hart Scholarship Endowment Fund, which supports students in the School of Education and was created in honor of his mentor, Dr. Bernard DeWulf, who played a crucial role in his journey as a Saluki.
“Dr. DeWulf was like a father figure to me. He encouraged me to stay in the program when I wanted to give up,” Hart said.
Originally from Tampa, Florida, Hart attended classes at Scott Air Force Base near Saint Louis on weekends during his time serving in the military. Despite never being a traditional on-campus student, Hart has always felt a strong bond with SIU.
“I only visited the campus once to go to the bookstore,” Hart recalled. “But I have family members nearby, and that connection has always been there.”
The Vocational Education Studies program was accessible to distance learners through SIU’s satellite campuses when Hart was enrolled in the late 1980s. This allowed non-traditional students to complete coursework on a schedule best suited to their career needs. Many students formerly enrolled through the program served in the military or worked in vocational fields.
Along with his financial contributions, Hart has been actively involved in various SIU events and initiatives. He attended the Black Alumni Group reunion and the Saluki Takeover Tour Florida, stating he was impressed by the passion and knowledge shared by the university representatives.
“The enthusiasm and tidbits of knowledge about what SIU was doing were impressive,” Hart said. “We might be in a small town, but we’re big time.”
Hart’s commitment to education extends beyond SIU. He has worked as a career specialist, helping students prepare for vocational positions, and has been involved in his local workforce board in Florida. His passion for education and helping others is a testament to the values instilled in him by his mother. Hart recalls that she would “cobble together” cash in envelopes for causes she believed in.
“She was always a charitable person, and I just want to follow in her footsteps,” he said while describing her impact on his life. “She was an educator and a humanitarian.”
Looking to the future, Hart hopes to continue supporting SIU and making a positive impact on students’ lives.
“I want to help students who have aspirations but not financial backing or opportunities,” Hart said. “Everyone should be able to do something to make this world a better place.”
Mark Hart’s legacy at SIU is one of generosity, dedication, and a deep connection to his alma mater. His contributions have made a lasting impact on the university and its students, ensuring that future generations of Salukis have the opportunities they need to succeed.
Many students share Hart’s passion, despite never stepping onto SIU’s campus. The university continues to be a beacon of education, leadership, and technological advancement for Salukis all over the country.
“SIU changed our lives. Now it’s our turn to help SIU change someone else’s.”
Bob and Pat England
More than five decades after meeting at SIU, Bob and Pat England gave $250,000 to create a welcoming lounge where students can study, gather and form lasting relationships of their own.
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More than 50 years after meeting at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Bob and Pat England are giving back to the place where their story began.
Through a $250,000 gift, the couple has established the England Student Center Lounge, a gathering space for students on the fourth floor of the SIU Student Center. Their gift will support maintenance and ongoing enhancements, ensuring the space serves generations of Salukis.
For the Englands, the gift honors the university that shaped their lives and celebrates the connections they formed on campus.
“We’re incredibly grateful for what Bob received through his education at SIU,” Pat England said. “And what I got from SIU was Bob.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating the England Student Center Lounge will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2026, in the SIU Student Center. Remarks are scheduled for 11:15 a.m.
A Saluki education that opened doors
Bob England arrived at SIU from Decatur, Illinois, on a football scholarship in the late 1960s. Like many first-generation college students, the transition to college life wasn’t easy at first.
He struggled academically before realizing that success at SIU required a new level of commitment.
“I figured out pretty quickly that I needed to focus,” Bob said. “Once I did, everything changed.”
Bob found his place in the university’s industrial technology program, which provided hands-on training in fields ranging from engineering and mathematics to foundry work and construction methods.
“It gave me exposure to a little bit of everything,” he said. “I understood enough about a lot of subjects that I could talk with anyone about what they were doing.”
That versatility became a defining strength throughout his career.
After graduating in 1969, Bob began working in the steel industry before eventually becoming an entrepreneur.
A phone call that changed everything
While Bob’s academic path shaped his career, a simple phone call shaped his life.
In 1969, Bob called a friend living in Steagall Hall on campus, hoping to find a date for a party that weekend. As fate would have it, Pat, who is originally from Carmi, Illinois, happened to be walking down the hallway when the friend answered the phone and handed her the receiver.
The conversation led to their first meeting, which included a drive through Carbondale during a rainstorm in Bob’s red 1967 Mustang and a stop for coffee.
The connection was immediate.
“Before long we were inseparable,” Pat said.
The couple married just months later and have now been together for 57 years.
Building a family business
After starting their careers, Bob and Pat eventually moved to Texas, where they built a business with their two sons.
What began as a small operation grew into N-Line Traffic Maintenance, a company specializing in roadway striping and traffic safety.
The company expanded rapidly and eventually employed more than 500 people across Texas before the family sold the business after 24 years.
Throughout its growth, the Englands focused on work that mattered.
“Paint on a road might not seem like much,” Pat said. “But those lines keep people in their lanes and keep them safe.”
The company created jobs and helped protect workers and drivers on highways and construction sites.
“It was about providing opportunities for people,” Bob said.
Memories that never faded
Although the Englands eventually settled in Jupiter, Florida, and rarely returned to campus, their memories of SIU never faded.
They remember walking through Thompson Woods between classes and spending time in the student center with friends.
One memory still makes them smile.
Students would gather in the student center lounge to watch the television show Dark Shadows, a daily ritual that brought people together.
“You don’t have to follow every game or come back every year to know how important a place was in your life,” Bob said. “We never forgot what SIU meant to us.”
Creating a place for connection
Their connection to campus resurfaced when they learned about an effort led by the Undergraduate Student Government to establish a dedicated student lounge in the SIU Student Center.
The idea began with Penny Bordewick, who campaigned for the creation of a student gathering space while serving as USG president. She believed students needed a welcoming place to study, collaborate and connect outside the classroom.
The initiative continued under Lydia Phelps, the next USG president, who carried forward the promise and helped move the project toward reality.
For Pat England, the vision behind the project felt especially meaningful. During her career in student life at Texas A&M University, she worked closely with students and saw firsthand how campus spaces and supportive leadership can help students pursue their ideas and ambitions. That experience deepened her appreciation for student-led initiatives like the effort at SIU.
When the Englands learned about the project, the idea resonated immediately.
The space itself reflects that student-driven vision. Located on the fourth floor of the Student Center, the lounge is transforming a once underutilized area, formerly home to student radio station WIDB, into a vibrant, multifunctional hub designed by students for students.
Plans for the space include flexible seating areas for conversation and collaboration, a large television for watch parties, recreational games and a jukebox, along with a feature wall honoring WIDB’s legacy. Bar-style seating overlooking Thompson Woods will provide a scenic place for students to gather, while upgraded sound and technology will support events and daily use.
Additional spaces will support a wide range of student needs, including study and small-group collaboration rooms with whiteboards and charging stations, a conference room for Registered Student Organization meetings, a podcast room inspired by WIDB’s history, and a kitchenette for convenience. The lounge will also include a dedicated lactation room, reinforcing the university’s commitment to supporting all students.
Together, these elements create a space that will be used daily by hundreds of students, from commuters to those living on campus, for studying, meetings and connecting between classes.
“We want students to have a place where they can meet, share ideas and relax,” Pat said. “College isn’t only about classes. It’s also about the relationships you build along the way.”
A legacy of opportunity
Looking back, the Englands say their story would not have unfolded the same way without SIU.
The university gave Bob the education that launched his career and gave both of them the place where their life together began.
“If this space helps students come together and make a difference, then we’re happy to be part of that,” Bob said.
And perhaps, they say with a smile, the England Student Center Lounge will even help spark a few new Saluki love stories.
Supporting connection and opportunity for future Salukis
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is one of only 21 universities nationwide to hold both Carnegie Research 1 (R1) and Opportunity University designations, reflecting its strength in high-level research and its commitment to expanding access and outcomes for students from all backgrounds.
As SIU advances as a national research institution focused on student success, investments like the Englands’ help strengthen the campus environment where students live, learn and grow.
Their gift also supports the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has approximately 2½ years remaining. To date, the campaign has raised more than $464 million toward its $500 million goal, making it the fifth-largest fundraising effort in Illinois higher education.
In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17% of the student body.
For the Englands, the impact of their gift comes down to something simple: helping ensure that future students find the same sense of opportunity, belonging and possibility that defined their own time at SIU.
Deaconess Illinois
Deaconess Illinois is investing in SIU students through scholarships, clinical mentorship, career opportunities and new wellness spaces that will strengthen healthcare across southern Illinois.
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MARION, Ill. — Leaders from Deaconess Illinois Medical Center and Southern Illinois University Carbondale gathered Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at Deaconess Illinois in Marion to sign a series of agreements establishing the Deaconess Illinois Scholars Program, the Deaconess Illinois Serenity Room and the Deaconess Illinois Wellness Suite.
The partnership expands support for students in SIU’s College of Health and Human Sciences and strengthens the regional healthcare workforce pipeline.
Chancellor Austin A. Lane said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to student success and regional impact.
“Partnerships are a major pillar of our Imagine 2030 strategic plan,” Lane said. “This collaboration represents exactly what public higher education should look like. When healthcare leaders and universities work together, we create real pathways for students to succeed and for communities to thrive. Deaconess Illinois is investing not only in scholarships and spaces, but in the future of healthcare access across southern Illinois.”
The Deaconess Illinois Scholars Program will provide tuition support for students pursuing degrees in nursing, radiological sciences and accelerated master’s of social work. The program prioritizes students from southern Illinois who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership potential and a commitment to serving their communities.
Through a competitive application process, selected scholars will receive mentorship from Deaconess Illinois clinicians and access to shadowing, clinical placements and professional development opportunities. As graduation approaches, scholars will receive priority consideration for employment within the Deaconess Illinois system.
“Our partnership with Southern Illinois University Carbondale reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the future of healthcare in our region,” said William Davis, Deaconess Illinois Region President. “By investing in scholarships for students pursuing critical healthcare fields, we are helping build a sustainable workforce while creating opportunities for local talent to learn, grow and serve close to home.”
Dr. Robert Morgan, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, said the initiative strengthens both academic preparation and workforce readiness.
“Our students are preparing for professions that demand both technical excellence and emotional resilience,” Morgan said. “Through the Deaconess Illinois Scholars Program and the new wellness spaces, we are supporting them academically, clinically and personally. This partnership strengthens our ability to prepare compassionate, highly skilled professionals who will serve communities across southern Illinois.”
Katie Warren, Regional Director of Imaging, Peri-Operative Services and Central Scheduling for Deaconess Illinois, said the scholarship investment supports critical healthcare access.
“Imaging is a critical access service that plays a vital role in early diagnosis, timely treatment and quality patient outcomes,” Warren said. “Supporting students through this scholarship partnership helps ensure we have skilled professionals ready to meet the growing needs of our communities, especially in rural and underserved areas.”
In addition to scholarship support, the agreements include the creation of the Deaconess Illinois Serenity Room in Mae Smith Hall and the Deaconess Illinois Wellness Suite in the new Community Care and Education Center. The spaces will serve students in the College of Health and Human Sciences by providing a dedicated environment for stress management, mindfulness and restorative wellbeing.
The serenity room will feature specialized stress-management equipment, calming design elements and programming intended to help students balance the demands of rigorous academic and clinical preparation. All CHHS students residing in Mae Smith Hall will have access to the space.
The wellness suite in the Community Care and Education Center will be a space for our CHHS faculty and students to provide free community resources to our rural and underserved populations such as nutrition education, chronic disease prevention, preventative health screenings, and referral support.
Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation, said the collaboration demonstrates the power of regional partnerships.
“This collaboration demonstrates how philanthropy and partnership can align workforce needs with student opportunity,” Kupec said. “Deaconess Illinois is making a strategic investment in talent development, ensuring students have the support, mentorship and professional connections they need to launch meaningful careers right here in our region.”
Together, the Deaconess Illinois Scholars Program and the new wellness spaces create a pathway from tuition support and mentorship to clinical experience and career opportunity, reinforcing a shared goal: where local talent becomes local care.
The Deaconess Illinois investment advances the goals of SIU’s Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has a goal of $500 million. To date, the SIU Foundation has raised more than $460 million, making Imagine SIU 2030 the fifth-largest fundraising effort in Illinois higher education. In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17 percent of the university’s student body.
The initiative also reinforces SIU’s standing as one of just 21 institutions nationwide designated as both a Research 1 university and an Opportunity University under the Carnegie Classification. By combining high-level research activity with a commitment to access and upward mobility, SIU continues to demonstrate that excellence and opportunity can go hand in hand.
“By investing in scholarships for students pursuing critical healthcare fields, we are helping build a sustainable workforce while creating opportunities for local talent to learn, grow and serve close to home.”
Raymond Hankins
Guided by a lifetime of service, Raymond Hankins included SIU in his estate plans to help veterans and students from disadvantaged communities pursue higher education.
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For Raymond Hankins, giving back to Southern Illinois University Carbondale is not about recognition. It is about creating opportunity and carrying forward a lifetime commitment to service.
A 2004 graduate of SIU’s Workforce Education and Development program, Hankins has included SIU in his estate plans to support students pursuing higher education, particularly veterans and those from marginalized and disadvantaged communities. His gift reflects values shaped by decades of service, strong family influence and a belief that education can change the trajectory of a life.
“An opportunity is all a young person with a strong desire requires,” Hankins said. “With my contribution, I hope to help enable the next generation.”
Hankins’ connection to Southern Illinois University Carbondale began far from the main campus. Originally from Elizabeth, New Jersey, he joined the U.S. Air Force just after his 18th birthday and served for 21 years. While stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, he completed his undergraduate degree through SIU’s military base program.
Though he has never visited the Carbondale campus, Hankins said the experience left a lasting impression.
“It was such a memorable experience earning my undergraduate degree that I want others to have that same opportunity,” he said.
During his Air Force career, Hankins worked in air base defense, a field focused on protecting people and critical resources. Those in the profession are often known as Peacekeepers, a title he says continues to define his life’s work beyond military service.
Education played a pivotal role in that journey. One of Hankins’ most meaningful academic moments came during his capstone project, when he developed promotion exams for enlisted Air Force members seeking advancement from E-5 to E-7.
“Putting that experience in writing and having it represent everything I learned at SIU was powerful,” Hankins said. “When Dr. Reynolds rated my submission as exceptional, it confirmed the value of that education.”
Hankins describes himself as a lifelong learner and credits education with expanding both his professional opportunities and his ability to contribute to society. That belief now guides his philanthropy.
“Each one teach one is something I believe in,” he said. “It takes a village to raise a child. By leaving part of my estate to SIU, I can help ensure students have support when they need it most.”
His decision to give was also influenced by those closest to him. His wife, Lisa McCurdy, a trust and estates attorney, encouraged intentional giving that reflects personal values. His Air Force family instilled principles of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. His mother, Mary Hankins, along with his sister Angie and brother Anthony, modeled generosity through their own commitment to helping the next generation.
As a Black alumnus, Hankins sees his support as both personal and purposeful.
“When you look at how small the percentage of Black students has remained over time, it should light a fire,” he said. “It only takes one of us to make a difference, but when we multiply our efforts, we become powerful.”
Hankins hopes his legacy will ease financial burdens for students navigating tuition, books, housing and everyday necessities, allowing them to focus on their education and their dreams.
To fellow alumni considering giving back, his message is simple.
“Why not?” Hankins said. “Many of us can point to a moment when our SIU education opened a door. To pass that on to a student is huge. Be that diamond for someone else.”
Despite the distance, Hankins said his pride in SIU is immeasurable.
“Knowing every day that I am a Saluki is one of my life’s treasures,” he said.
Roy D. Franke
Through a $2.25 million estate gift, Roy Franke created a lasting legacy that will sustain hands on learning for SIU journalism and advertising students.
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CARBONDALE, Ill. — A $2.25 million estate gift from alumnus Roy D. Franke will support every corner of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Advertising, sustaining hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for careers in journalism, advertising and media.
The gift ranks among the largest private contributions in the school’s history. Franke, who earned his bachelor’s degree from SIU in 1966, designated the gift through his estate to support the school within the College of Arts and Media.
“This amazing and wonderful gift will help support our entire school,” said Jan Thompson, director of the Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Advertising. “The faculty will benefit from this gift, but also our students. The gift will help sustain our professional labs, including The Daily Egyptian, AdLab, River Region, Saluki Sports View, The Gateway Journal, the Saluki Local Reporting Lab and weekend photojournalism workshops.”
The school anchors its curriculum in a network of professional, student-run labs that provide hands-on experience across journalism, advertising and media. Students produce real-world work through the Saluki AdLab, a student-operated advertising agency serving local, regional and national clients; The Daily Egyptian, a nationally recognized student newspaper and digital newsroom founded in 1916; Saluki Sports View, an award-winning student-produced television program; and River Region Evening Edition, a live WSIU-TV newscast in which students perform every role of a professional newsroom. Through the Saluki Local Reporting Lab, students report alongside faculty and professional journalists on underserved communities across downstate Illinois. Students and faculty also contribute to the Gateway Journalism Review, one of only two journalism review publications in the nation, and participate in immersive weekend photojournalism workshops and Pulitzer Center–supported reporting projects across the United States and around the world.
“All these labs prepare our students for the real professional world of journalism and advertising,” Thompson said. “These labs are what make the Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Advertising unique from other programs.”
“We are deeply moved by this extraordinary act of generosity and profoundly grateful for the trust Mr. Roy Franke placed in CAM’s Charlotte Thompson Suhler School of Journalism and Advertising,” said Hong Cheng, dean of the College of Arts and Media. “This gift establishes a powerful and lasting legacy — one that strengthens the Suhler School’s academic mission and expands its opportunities for future generations. I have no doubt he will always be remembered as an integral part of the school’s story.”
Franke died Oct. 27, 2024, at age 80, in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Born in Centralia, Illinois, he remained closely connected to the region throughout his life. After graduating from Centralia High School in 1962, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from SIU Carbondale and later completed a Master of Arts degree from the University of Missouri in 1968.
He worked for 13 years as a distributor for Carpenter Body Works in Mitchell, Indiana, and remained active in his community. Franke was a member of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association for 42 years and competed in the World Horseshoe Pitchers Tournament for 19 years. He also remained involved in church life throughout his adulthood.
Franke is survived by four cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Paula Leipold Franke, and his parents.
The gift also advances SIU’s mission as a national leader in both research and student access. SIU holds a rare distinction as one of only 21 universities nationwide — out of nearly 4,000 — recognized by the Carnegie Classification for both Research 1 status, the highest level of research activity, and as an Opportunity College and University, which honors institutions that expand access and foster social mobility. This dual recognition reflects SIU’s commitment to advancing knowledge while opening doors for students from all backgrounds.
Philanthropic support plays a critical role in sustaining that commitment. In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17 percent of the university’s student body.
Franke’s estate gift also contributes to the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has a goal of $500 million. To date, the SIU Foundation has raised more than $460 million, making Imagine SIU 2030 the fifth-largest fundraising effort in Illinois higher education.
“An opportunity is all a young person with a strong desire requires.”
Harvey and Collie Michaels
Inspired by Harvey’s SIU experience, he and Collie committed $2.1 million to create a center offering business students academic support, career guidance and wellness resources.
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HOUSTON — Southern Illinois University Carbondale announced a $2.1 million gift from alumnus Harvey N. Michaels and his wife, Collie, to establish the Harvey N. Michaels Center for Academic Success and Engagement in the College of Business and Analytics. The announcement was made on the evening of Nov. 13 during the Chancellor’s Reception in Houston, the final stop of the 2nd Annual Saluki Takeover Tour Texas.
The gift, which includes a matching contribution from the Deloitte Foundation, will create a centralized hub dedicated to academic support, career preparation and wellness resources for SIU business students. Known informally as “The Harv,” the center will be located on the first floor of Rehn Hall.
Michaels, a first-generation college student raised by his Ukrainian immigrant grandparents in Chicago, earned both his bachelor’s degree in accountancy in 1980 and his MBA in 1981 from SIU. During graduate school, he worked for AC Nielsen and set his sights on a future in consulting. After applying to the Big Eight professional services firms (now the Big Four) in Dallas, he accepted an offer in management consulting with Touche Ross, which later merged with Deloitte. Michaels went on to spend 38 years with the firm, becoming a partner, holding multiple leadership roles and working with major companies around the world.
“I am humbled to give back,” Michaels said. “I want parents and students to walk in, see modern technology, feel the change underway at SIU and know this is a place that supports students and helps them get jobs.”
Dr. Marc Morris, dean of the College of Business and Analytics, said the center will strengthen the college’s position as a national leader. SIU holds dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting, a distinction earned by fewer than 2% of business schools worldwide. AACSB accreditation is recognized as the highest standard of achievement for business education, placing SIU among the top programs globally. SIU’s online business and administration program also ranks within the top 25% in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Online Programs.
“This center will give our students the training, support and development they need to thrive academically and professionally,” Morris said. “It will remove economic and educational barriers and prepare students to become the leaders our world needs.”
Chancellor Austin A. Lane said the gift reflects the momentum driving SIU forward. The university is one of only 21 institutions in the nation to hold both Research 1 and Opportunity University designations from the Carnegie Classification.
“Gifts like Harvey’s accelerate our momentum, strengthen our business programs and expand opportunities for students. This is Saluki pride in action,” Lane said.
The Michaels gift contributes to Imagine SIU 2030, the university’s comprehensive fundraising campaign with a goal of $500 million. To date, the SIU Foundation has raised more than $435 million, making it the fifth-largest fundraising effort in Illinois higher education.
In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17 percent of SIU’s student body.
Craig Englert
A devoted Saluki Women’s Basketball fan, Craig Englert committed a $3 million planned gift to strengthen the program and support future student athletes.
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CARBONDALE, Ill. — Calling Craig Englert a diehard fan of Saluki Women’s Basketball might be an understatement.
A familiar face at nearly every women’s basketball game, Englert recently committed to a $3 million planned gift to support the team at Southern Illinois University.
Englert attended his first game in the mid-1980s, witnessing the Salukis win their first Gateway Conference championship and watching stars like Petra Jackson dominate the court. From 1989 to 2003, he traveled with the team every fall, attending games from San Juan to Nebraska.
His passion for Saluki Athletics was sparked by his father, DuWayne Englert, who served as a zoology professor at SIU from 1963 to 1999.
“Dad went to everything,” Craig Englert said. “He convinced me to go to my first women’s basketball game over in Davies Gym, and I got hooked.”
This historic gift follows a recent $4.5 million estate commitment supporting scholarships for female student-athletes. Together, these contributions underscore the Saluki community’s dedication to advancing women’s athletics.
“Our alumni are showing how vital all sports are to the success of Saluki Athletics,” said Tim Leonard, SIU director of athletics. “A gift like this from someone like Craig Englert tells a powerful story about the value of our programs.”
Saluki From the Start
Born in Lafayette, Indiana, Englert moved to Southern Illinois as an infant when his father accepted a faculty position at SIU. He later attended the university, graduating in 1985 with bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and computer science. He was a student when the Saluki Football team won the 1983 national championship.
“I was working full time at Walmart, so I missed out on some of the student experience,” he said. “But I have no regrets. I enjoyed my time at SIU very much.”
After graduation, Englert struggled to find a job until he received an unexpected call in late 1987 with an opportunity to work for the Department of Defense.
“It was around Thanksgiving when I got a call offering me a job—without ever having done an interview,” he said. “It was in Washington, D.C. I only knew one person in that area when I moved.”
While in D.C., Englert pursued a master’s degree. One of his classmates worked for the same agency that supported a group at Scott Air Force Base in O’Fallon, Illinois.
She knew I wanted to move to that area. When they had a position open, she recommended me.” he said. “I moved back in September of 1990.”
Salukis Unleashed
Englert’s gift is part of the Salukis Unleashed initiative, which aims to generate $100 million in revenue for Saluki Athletics. The campaign will expand scholarship opportunities and enhance facilities, creating a premier experience for student-athletes, coaches, and fans.
“This gift reflects the incredible strength of the Saluki spirit,” said Saluki Women’s Basketball head coach Kelly Bond-White. “Our program is deeply grateful not only for Craig’s generous financial support, but for his unwavering passion for women’s basketball. Watching him and his brother, Kyle, cheer in the arena, standing behind our young women, is nothing short of inspiring.”
Salukis Unleashed is a key component of the university’s Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has raised more than $425 million toward its $500 million goal.
“I just want to make a difference,” Englert said. “I like helping people and making people smile. It’s my way of thanking the women’s basketball team for the years of enjoyment. I’m glad to help.”
“I just want to make a difference. I like helping people and making people smile.”
Dr. James Rosser
Dr. James M. Rosser’s journey began at SIU, where he discovered not only academic opportunity but a lifelong sense of purpose.
Ralph E. Becker Family
Ralph E. Becker credited SIU for laying the foundation of his success, and his family has honored that legacy through generous support for scholarships, campus landmarks and student experiences.
“He believed in SIU. He believed in the opportunities he was given here. He was so grateful and this was just his way of returning the favor.”
Rick McGlothin
After earning his degree and commissioning as an officer in the Air Force, Rick McGlothin now gives back to help students from underrepresented backgrounds pursue their goals with confidence.
Dr. Mitchel Livingston
Dr. Mitchel Livingston credits SIU with launching a lifelong journey of academic leadership and service, and now he’s working to light the way for future generations through education and opportunity.
“We have seen the light turn off in the eyes of young people way too early because of lack of opportunity. There are ways to turn those lights on…and we want to be one of those lamp lights for as many children like us as possible.”
Nissan Donation
A generous gift of nine electric vehicles from Nissan, made possible by alumnus Lee Reins, has given SIU automotive students powerful new tools for hands-on learning in one of the nation’s top ranked programs.
Bob and Beth Gower
Bob and Beth Gower’s lifelong connection to SIU began as students, grew through love and leadership, and continues today through their commitment to lifting others through education.
“Beth and I would like to be thought of as people that provided some shoulders for somebody else to stand on.”
Mike Norrington
Mike Norrington has spent more than 50 years in the stands as a season ticket holder, and his support through the Big Dawg Leadership Society helps keep Saluki Athletics strong and deeply rooted in the region.
Jamie Hayes
Jamie Hayes joined the Big Dawg Leadership Society to honor his father, a devoted SIU supporter, and to help Saluki Athletics and the southern Illinois region compete, grow and thrive.
“I wanted to leave a legacy for my dad. It was him who brought me into the fold when it came to SIU… he loved his family, he loved the business, he loved his employees, and he loved SIU.”
Dr. Janet Tinoco
Dr. Janet Tinoco created a scholarship at SIU to honor her father’s belief in education and to support driven students pursuing their own path forward.
Dr. Robert and Mrs. Stacy Morgan
Driven by their shared background in psychology and a deep belief in the power of education, Dr. Robert and Mrs. Stacy Morgan created a scholarship at SIU to support students conducting research in child development and forensic mental health.
“I’m really hoping that recipients of our scholarship would be able to make some kind of change in the world—no matter how small—make an impact in some way in their lives and somebody else’s.”
Chuck Lounsbury
Chuck Lounsbury aims to enrich student education and opportunities, by supporting SIU’s supply chain management program.
Read more of his story
When the 2023 Saluki Takeover Tour visited Naples, Florida, Chuck Lounsbury was excited to engage with representatives from his alma mater.
“SIU has held a few functions in Naples, and it’s given me the chance to reconnect,” he said. “A school’s reputation is important to the graduate, and you should reinvest in the school’s mission.”
A graduate of the College of Business and Analytics, he was particularly interested in the expansion of the supply chain management program. So much so, that he decided to make a $500,000 donation to establish the Charles and Barbara Lounsbury Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will benefit students in the program.
“This will allow students to focus on what companies need and want out of their logistics and distribution employees,” he said. “I don’t think that’s happening at a lot of schools today. Hopefully, these funds make a difference in students’ lives and the program itself.”
Lounsbury’s connection to SIU dates to the university’s earliest day. His great-grandmother attended Southern Illinois Normal College, which trained teachers. His father and brother also attended SIU.
“I lived in Chicago, but my grandmother was from West Frankfort. I had a soft spot in my heart for SIU,” he said.
Heavily involved in campus life, Lounsbury was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi and helped found the American Marketing Association at SIU. He was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the honor society in business and after graduation was elected to the COBA Hall of Fame. After graduating from SIU in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island.
“I gave serious thought to working in academia and taught at Murray State for four years,” Lounsbury said. “I had no business experience, so I thought it would be good to get some real-world experience to become a better teacher.”
That decision led to an illustrious career in the business world, including leadership positions at Toro, Tenneco, Leaseway Transportation Corp., Skyway Freight Systems, and ended with his retirement in 2005 as senior vice president for supply chain solutions at Ryder Systems. He also continued to teach classes at Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Stanford, The Monterey Institute, and Florida Gulf Coast University.
“I always enjoyed the student contact,” Lounsbury said. “It was SIU that gave me my start, and I thought that my gift could make a significant impact there.”
His investment in the future of the university, college, and its students represents how Lounsbury feels about his time at SIU and the positive direction it’s going.
“SIU has a lot of outstanding graduates, who have had very successful careers, and that’s thanks largely to the education they got at SIU. It’s up there with any school. You get what you put into it,” he said. “I hope to influence others in my position to give back. I think it will help the next generation of students.”
JOHN AND JAYNE SIMMONS
Their very generous and historic gift will expand and enhance opportunities for SIU students and faculty for years to come.
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A $10 million gift from John and Jayne Simmons will impact generations of Southern Illinois University Carbondale law students and strengthen the law school’s ability to serve its students and the region. In honor of their generosity, the law school will be named Simmons Law School, pending approval from the SIU Board of Trustees in April.
The transformational donation comes as the law school is celebrating its 50th anniversary. It will enhance and expand the educational offerings to students and opportunities for faculty.
“Fifty years ago, we were founded in the public interest to serve the public good,” said Camille Davidson, dean of the SIU School of Law. “This generous gift empowers us to advance our mission on a larger scale and with an even greater impact.”
This historic gift – the largest SIU Carbondale has ever received – was announced Monday, Feb. 5, further cementing John and Jayne Simmons’ legacy at SIU, which includes a $10.2 million commitment to the Simmons Cancer Institute at the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. Their most recent contribution comes as a major step in the ongoing $500 million Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign.
“We are so incredibly excited and inspired by this act of generosity,” Chancellor Austin Lane said. “John and Jayne Simmons are shining examples of the impact individuals can have on our institution and the entire region. Their unwavering support and diligent service speak volumes.”
John Simmons, a native and resident of Alton, is an SIU Edwardsville graduate, member of the SIU Board of Trustees, and chairperson and founder of Simmons Hanly Conroy law firm. His and Jayne’s support will help provide more access, services and opportunities to students seeking educational opportunities.
The law school is the alma mater of more than 180 local, state and federal judges. It has alumni practicing law in 48 states and more than 10 countries. It also features legal clinics that serve members of underrepresented communities and offer students real-world experience.
“The SIU university system has provided me with many opportunities to better my life,” John Simmons said. “A thriving law school will help support others in southern Illinois who are working hard day-to-day to improve their own lives. SIU holds a special place for me. We would really like people to look at Simmons Law School as an attainable place where they are welcome, they belong and they can thrive.”
A legacy of service, philanthropy
John Simmons has served two stints on the SIU Board of Trustees, the first from 2004 to 2015, and he was appointed again in 2019 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. He has previously functioned as the board’s secretary and chairman. He earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University and previously served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer.
In 1999, John founded Simmons Hanly Conroy, one of the nation’s largest plaintiff’s law firms. The firm has dedicated the past 25 years to representing workers and families impacted by mesothelioma, a fatal and preventable asbestos-related cancer. Under his leadership, the firm expanded to new practice areas and now employs more than 250 people, including more than 80 attorneys, in offices across the country. Most recently, the firm successfully helped lead the national effort to hold manufacturers and distributors of prescription opiates accountable for the opioid epidemic. Firm employees have donated more than $1 million to local charities through the Simmons Employee Foundation and more than $20 million to cancer research nationwide.
Simmons Hanly Conroy has long been involved with SIU’s law school, providing internships and employing its graduates.
“We have been working collaboratively with Simmons Hanly Conroy for years,” Davidson said. “Its broad reach as a national law firm will help to elevate the law school’s recognition and reputation.”
The Simmons Cancer Institute at the SIU School of Medicine is a community-based patient care, research, education and outreach program created to improve cancer care for the citizens of central and southern Illinois. John Simmons also started an initiative to provide free dental care for veterans at the SIUE Dental School in Alton.
John and Jayne are civic leaders, community advocates, real estate developers and act as a catalyst for transformational change in southern Illinois. Beyond Simmons Hanly Conroy, John and Jayne founded AltonWorks, a social impact redevelopment company focused on the revitalization of historic downtown Alton as a healthy, thriving, walkable city. Community contributions are an important part of their story. They have invested significant resources, including time, money and advocacy to people, programs, issues, initiatives and causes designed to create opportunities to help people better their lives.
AltonWorks was founded on the principles of livability, environmental stewardship, social justice and inclusivity and believes in rebuilding communities for optimum social impact. AltonWorks offers thought leadership, planning, convening and connecting, adding capacity to the region’s ability to attract funding, expand social impact, catalyze economic growth and anchor downstate recovery.
“The SIU university system has provided me with many opportunities to better my life. A thriving law school will help support others in southern Illinois who are working hard day-to-day to improve their own lives. SIU holds a special place for me. We would really like people to look at Simmons Law School as an attainable place where they are welcome, they belong and they can thrive.”
—John Simmons, SIU Supporter
Ron Smith
Ron’s desire to strengthen SIU’s marketing program, attract top faculty and enhance opportunities for students, was inspired by his own transformative experience at SIU.
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Growing up in the small Randolph County town of Walsh, SIU was the only reasonable college option for Ron Smith.
“It was where you could get the most bang for your buck,” he said. “SIU was so good to me and changed my life and made it better than it would have been.”
Since graduating in 1964 with a degree in marketing and a master’s in business administration in 1966, Smith has stayed engaged with his alma mater, including donating close to $170,000 over the last 20 years. Now, he’s taken his support a step further, making a gift of stock worth more than $480,000 to endow the Ronald L. Smith Endowed Chair in Marketing at the College of Business and Analytics.
Endowed chairs help attract and retain high-level faculty members by making the position more attractive and keeping salaries competitive with other institutions.
“I’m doing this to help the students of SIU,” Smith said. “I want to make the program stronger and provide better opportunities and better training for the students. We want to attract big names and incentivize them to stay.”
Before making his major gift to endow the chair in COBA, much of Smith’s philanthropy has been directed toward Saluki Athletics. Despite living in California, he has maintained season tickets to Saluki Football games and supported the Blackout Cancer fundraiser.
Smith has fond memories of his time at SIU, noting that he attended the university during the Delyte Morris era and the time of College of Business Dean Henry J. Rhen, for which the COBA building is named. Smith was also classmates with another of SIU’s most prolific benefactors, F. Lynn McPheeters.
“Dr. Morris was wonderful to listen to, and I was lucky to be there during his era,” Smith said. “The university had lots of programs that were geared toward students with limited financial resources. I was fortunate enough to make good enough grades that my professors thought I was a good candidate for graduate school.”
After graduation, he joined the Peace Corps and spent 30 months in Colombia. He worked with farmers and fishermen, teaching them how to make the most of their assets. He credits his education from SIU with giving him the expertise to share with those people and give them a vested interest in the business side of their industry.
Smith, a first-generation student whose niece now attends SIU as a fourth-generation student, said his continued support of the university shows the impact alumni can have even when they’re not able to get to campus as often as they may like.
“Is there a way you can help build up the university?” Smith said. “Even if you’re in California, like me, you can help folks in Southern Illinois.”
Read more of his story
With a $1 million gift, Professor James Franklin Sharp has chiseled his name into SIU’s legacy. Now, the university has honored his generosity by renaming the University Museum as Sharp Museum.
On Friday, Oct. 20, the university unveiled the Sharp Museum naming and renamed the Southern Illinois Gallery as the Mrs. Rosanna Sharp Myers Southern Illinois Gallery, after Sharp’s sister.
“(Professor Sharp) is forever tied to the history of this institution,” Chancellor Austin Lane said. “How fitting to have something like this during Homecoming week.”
Professor Sharp attended SIU from 1954 to 1956, but the university didn’t offer a four-year degree in engineering at that time. Still, he said he always felt a strong connection to the university.
While an SIU student, he played seven intramural sports, including football, corkball, basketball, volleyball, softball, badminton, and horseshoes. He was a member of the Theta Xi fraternity.
“Professor Sharp was all in during his time at SIU,” said SIU System President Dan Mahony. “He took advantage of that experience, and when you do that, it becomes a life habit.”
He transferred to the University of Illinois from SIU and completed his undergraduate degree in industrial engineering. He later earned a master’s and Ph.D. from Purdue University.
“I guess I would say I enjoyed my time at SIU more than the other colleges I attended,” Professor Sharp said.
Professor Sharp taught at three universities: Rutgers University, New York University Stern Graduate School of Business, and Pace University Lubin Graduate School of Business. He also held management positions at AT&T and founded Sharp Seminars in New York, which became a leading provider of training for Wall Street investment analysts and investment portfolio managers.
He has also written 36 books and had many articles published. He has achieved the following professional designations: CFA, CIPM, CMA, CFM, and Mensa.
A Chester High School graduate, Professor Sharp has made supporting education a lifelong endeavor. He has made multiple donations to Chester schools, totaling more than $600,000.
Sharp Museum first opened as a natural history museum in 1874, and it has evolved into a teaching museum that represents the humanities, the sciences, and the arts. With roughly 70,000 objects in its care, the Sharp Museum captures and illuminates the human story, opening a window to who we are and where we came from.
“This museum is deep in my heart,” said Dean of Library Affairs John Pollitz. “It’s such an incredible resource for this whole area.”
“Is there a way you can help build up the university? Even if you’re in California, like me, you can help folks in Southern Illinois.”
—Ron Smith, SIU Supporter
Roger and Sally Tedrick
The Tedricks are fostering the future of SIU by donating to a project they believe will significantly impact student recruitment and the overall university experience.
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With a $6 million donation, Roger and Sally Tedrick are leaving yet another indelible mark on the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus.
In honor of their donation, a planned new building on campus will be named the Tedrick Welcome Center. The proposed building was presented to the SIU Board of Trustees’ architecture and design committee in April, and approval of its construction will be on the board’s Feb. 8 agenda.
“This university is moving forward in an exciting way, imagining a future with more students and prolific success,” Roger Tedrick said. “Sally and I knew we wanted to be part of something that would make a tremendous impact, and this welcome center is just that. It will be the launching point for thousands of Saluki journeys.”
SIU Admissions will begin open houses, orientations and host groups of students at the welcome center, which will be located just off U.S. Highway 51, near the previous location of McAndrew Stadium.
“Roger and Sally Tedrick are visionaries. They believe in our mission, and this gift exemplifies their remarkable dedication to this university and all Southern Illinois,” said Chancellor Austin Lane. “The Tedrick Welcome Center will be the first place that students walk into and experience what it’s like to be a Saluki. It is the capstone to our strategic plan.”
Roger Tedrick, a 1970 graduate of SIU’s College of Liberal Arts, is a member of the SIU Board of Trustees and the SIU Foundation Board of Directors. He is the owner and CEO of Tedrick Group Risk Management Solutions, based in Mount Vernon. Raised in Carbondale, he attended University High School on SIU’s campus. Sally Tedrick is a 1973 graduate of the SIU School of Education.
The Tedricks have a rich tradition of supporting the university. Their many contributions have included creating an endowed fund to enhance university excellence, making a lead donation toward the construction of the Saluki Alumni Plaza, sponsoring the inaugural Saluki Ball, and supporting numerous causes across campus.
“It’s a great pleasure to thank Sally and Rogers for how they have served SIU Carbondale,” said SIU System President Dan Mahony.
The state-of-the-art building will also house the philanthropy center, which will include SIU Foundation offices.
“It is more important than ever to support an institution as historic and impactful as SIU,” Roger Tedrick said. “This is the perfect thing for us to do. This building is going to help bring in and recruit the next generation of Saluki students.”
Herb Shear
Herb invested in SIU’s future supply chain professionals, believing in the essential role of education in equipping students for industry challenges.
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Even though it had been around for years, the phrase “supply chain” wasn’t on everyone’s mind until COVID-19. SIU alumnus Herb Shear, on the other hand, was an expert on the subject well before the pandemic.
With companies focused on improving supply chain logistics, Shear knew it was imperative for SIU’s College of Business and Analytics (COBA) to lead the way for the next generation of students. That’s why he chose to donate $200,000 to the Center for Logistics and Supply Chain Seed Fund.
“It was important before COVID, but it’s even more prevalent now,” he said. “This is how products get onto the shelves. You can’t have a modern business school without a supply chain program.”
Shear, a 1969 COBA graduate, is the former executive chairman and CEO of GENCO, which was sold to FedEx in 2015. He is also the executive chairman and co-founder of G2 Reverse Logistics, which provides reverse logistics software.
“GENCO was a small family business in Pittsburgh, when I took over,” he said. “We grew it to a nationwide supply chain services company and developed the concept of reverse logistics, which deals with consumer returns. Every major retailer in the U.S. and Canada used us.”
A self-described “really bad high school student,” Shear was accepted to SIU on a probationary basis. It didn’t take long for him to find success.
“I enjoyed my education in the business school,” he said. “It helped lay the foundation for my career. I always wanted to give back to SIU.”
In 2006, Shear made a $525,000 gift to the COBA Critical Impact Fund, which aimed to enhance the curriculum and student experience in the college. He is a former member of COBA’s external advisory board and the college’s campaign advisory board.
“My hope with this most recent gift is that it allows a pathway for a major corporation to come in and invest in the supply chain center,” he said. “Hopefully, it will create recruiting opportunities for the college and offer experiential learning opportunities for students.”
Shear encourages other alumni and friends of the university to consider making a similar impact if they are able.
“If you feel SIU was successful in helping you in your career and want to help others, a good way to do that is to make a gift to your school or college,” he said.
“I enjoyed my education in the business school. It helped lay the foundation for my career. I always wanted to give back to SIU.”
—Herb Shear, SIU Supporter
Allan Hodges
Allan’s lifelong connection with SIU inspired him to give towards the university’s future and help the School of Earth Systems and Sustainability expand.
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After years as a city planner, Allan Hodges is once again looking to the future by making a planned gift to his alma mater, SIU. His substantial estate gift will establish the Allan A. Hodges Graduate Scholarship in the School of Earth Systems and Sustainability Endowment Fund.
Born to British parents in Calcutta, India, the path to SIU wasn’t a direct one.
“We moved to England after World War II and immigrated to the U.S. in 1948,” Hodges said.
Originally hoping to become an architect, he enrolled at Ohio State University and later switched to the community analysis program. He spent a winter quarter at Mexico City College and became interested in the Latin American culture. He found a college bulletin advertising SIU’s Latin American Institute and Community Development Institute and decided to take the bus to Carbondale.
“They basically created a curriculum for me, which showed it was a caring environment,” Hodges said.
During his time at SIU, he was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity along with Mike Morris, son of then SIU President Delyte Morris.
“They invited me to their home, and they invited me back the year after I graduated to meet Margaret Mead, who was speaking at graduation,” Hodges said. “It was an important phase in SIU’s history, and I was there. I enjoyed my entire experience at SIU. I met a lot of people and maintained many friendships for a long time.”
After earning his bachelor’s degree in 1962, Hodges worked in Columbus, Ohio, for two years before deciding to pursue a master’s degree at Michigan State University. It was then that he married his wife, Carol, and got his start in urban planning in Boston with Parsons Brinckerhoff (now known as WSP), a multinational engineering and design firm.
“I traveled across the country working on many important projects,” Hodges said. “I was the environmental document manager during the Big Dig in Boston, which started in 1986.”
The Big Dig was a major project in Boston that transformed the city’s transportation flow, including redesigning Interstate 93, the construction of the Ted Williams Tunnel (I-90) under Boston Harbor, the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge over the Charles River, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a park above the I-93 tunnel.
Reconnecting with SIU
Hodges said he didn’t feel connected to SIU for many years. He noticed when the Saluki Football team won a national championship in 1983 and when Saluki Men’s Basketball had a run of NCAA Tournament appearances in the early 2000s.
“SIU was in the news,” he said. “I followed the sports from my home in Boston.”
More recently, Hodges said he’s taken notice of fundraising efforts that have exemplified how many people have been impacted by SIU.
“On the Day of Giving, SIU had more than 3,800 donors raising over $4 million. That’s impressive,” he said. “Then there was more than $600,000 raised in one night in Chicago at the Saluki Ball. Larger schools don’t see that level of support. I believe in the mission of the university.”
During a recent trip to Europe, Hodges spotted someone wearing something familiar.
“In Athens, I saw someone with an SIU sweatshirt,” he said. “I meant to circle back and acknowledge it, but I missed my chance. You really do see Salukis everywhere you go.”
Hodges hopes that his gift will help the School of Earth Systems and Sustainability expand more offerings to more students.
“I think SIU has the disciplines throughout the university to have a very important community planning curriculum in the near future that would really benefit Southern Illinois,” he said.
Ruth-Marie Frances Chambers
Ruth-Marie’s generosity illuminates her belief in unlocking futures through education, inspired by her own transformative experiences at SIU.
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Teacher, counselor, scholar, pilot, philanthropist. Ruth-Marie Frances Chambers has excelled in a diverse range of careers and avocations. A common theme running through all these life experiences is a commitment to open doors of access and opportunity by fostering educational opportunities.
A lifelong learner, Chambers’ commitment to education was demonstrated recently when she established the Ruth-Marie Frances Chambers Endowed Scholarship through a $100,000 planned gift, naming the SIU Foundation as partial beneficiary of her retirement accounts.
Chambers received her SIU bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1974 and subsequently began graduate studies in 1974-75 in the SIU Rehabilitation Department. In 1975, her interest in education and prevailing health and humanitarian concerns in developing nations led her to travel throughout the global community as a goodwill ambassador. She subsequently accepted an invitation to the United States Peace Corps as lecturer at the National School of Administration in Niger, West Africa. Chambers returned to SIU to complete her Master of Science in rehabilitation administration and services in 1982. After graduation, Chambers relocated to California to work at several educational institutions, including the University of California at Berkeley and Los Rios Community College.
When asked why she chose the SIU Foundation for her retirement account beneficiary designations, Chambers listed the qualities of an SIU education that she continues to value, including “leadership, integrity, a respected research university and faculty committed to student achievement.”
At SIU, Chambers was particularly impacted by her graduate school advisors and mentors, Dr. Irene Hawley and Dr. Jerome Lorenz.
“The diversification of prospective students within the campus community who require affordable access to educational and financial support to enhance their collegiate experience is a challenge for many educational institutions,” she said.
At SIU, she valued the “invaluable leadership skills, shared humanity and scholarly pursuits” that helped her to “confidently navigate the global and campus community with purpose.”
The Ruth-Marie Frances Chambers Endowed Scholarship will support a graduate student studying behavior analysis and therapy, communication disorders and sciences or rehabilitation counseling.
“I think SIU has the disciplines throughout the university to have a very important community planning curriculum in the near future that would really benefit Southern Illinois.”
—Allan Hodges, SIU Supporter
jim & Sue Legacy
Jim Legacy’s passion for agriculture started at an early age. Now, he and his wife, Sue, are sharing that passion with others.
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Jim Legacy came to SIU in 1977 as professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences. He retired at the end of 2001.
“The most enjoyable experience of my life was being a professor,” he said. “As an instructor, you have these 18-year-old kids who come ready to learn from your knowledge. They carry a great deal of respect for a professor, and you end up playing an important and often extended role in their lives.”
During his tenure, he had multiple students come to his home for dinner and attended many of their graduation ceremonies and even weddings. Legacy also participated in international agricultural projects that took him all over the world.
“SIU gave me so many memorable experiences that I will never forget,” he said. “I traveled to Africa, China, Jamaica and Western Samoa to do meaningful work. It definitely enriched my life.”
In order to give others the same opportunities, the Legacys donated $1 million from their charitable trust to the SIU College of Agricultural Sciences to fund scholarships for SIU students who participated in Future Farmers of America and provide support for faculty members like Jim.
Kimberly Omelson
SIU made a lasting impression on Kimberly Omelson, and now she plans to leave her mark on the university.
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Omelson, who graduated in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in English, has planned an estate gift that will benefit the College of Liberal Arts and Morris Library.
“You don’t have to have a lot of money in order to make a difference,” she said. “Sure, we’d all love to donate $1 million to our alma mater, but that’s not going to happen for the majority of us.”
Choosing SIU made sense to Omelson because of her great memories from Carbondale. She joined the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and made lifelong friends. One of those memories is when she brought her mother to Founders Day in 1990.
“My mom saw a lot that day – her daughter being acknowledged by her sorority for academic achievement. She saw I had great friends. She saw that I had something that made me truly, genuinely happy,” Omelson said. “She was diagnosed with breast cancer later that year and died in May 1991. So, she didn’t see all of my college career, but she saw the aspect of it that meant the most to me – my sorority and my sisterhood.”
Through estate planning, anyone can be a philanthropist, and the SIU Foundation is ready to help anyone make the greatest possible impact.
“It’s kind of moving to know I’m going to be able to help a kid in the same boat I was in so many years ago,” Omelson said. “Philanthropy is pretty incredible.”
“We wanted to think about something that will last beyond our lifetime. I have a blessed life and career because of SIU.”
—Dan & Kathy Wheeler, SIU Supporters
roland burris
“When you graduate from SIU, you are a graduate of one of the greatest universities in this country,” Roland Burris said. “You are a Saluki!”
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SIU Carbondale alumnus Roland Burris speaks about being a Saluki with the same amount of pride one would expect him to speak about his many accomplishments.
Even the shortest version of his résumé speaks for itself. Burris was the first black national bank examiner for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for the U.S. and the first black man elected to statewide office in Illinois, replacing President Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.
During his time as an SIU student, one of Burris’ housemates was forced to drop out and leave the college because of financial woes. “I never forgot that,” he said. “I said if I ever got in a position to help a student, I would lend a helping hand.”
As a result of that experience, Burris established an endowed emergency fund for students in need. Started in 2008, it benefits full-time SIU students from the Chicagoland area or Southern Illinois with preferences given to African American students.
“I got my foundation at SIU in political science that allowed me to do very well,” he said. “If it hadn’t been for scholarships, I wouldn’t have been able to make it.”
Burris offered sage words of advice to anyone in a position to make a difference in the life of an SIU student: “Make room for visions of other people and help if you’re able to,” he said. “We have to look out for those who are less fortunate. You cannot believe what a good feeling you get inside to know that you have helped somebody along the way.”
bob barrick
In Bob Barrick’s life, everything has been earned. But it has also been founded on his educational experience at SIU.
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Bob Barrick grew up in Lincoln and was the first in his family to earn a four-year college degree, graduating from SIU in 1962 with a degree in marketing. He worked his way through college as a soda jerk at Thompson Woods. At the time, ROTC service was mandatory for all male students, so Barrick spent three years on an American base in Japan doing financial work after he graduated.
“I was away from home for three Thanksgivings, three Christmases, and three New Year’s. I was extremely homesick by the time those three years were up,” he said.
After his service, Barrick worked for oil companies across the Midwest, ending up in Detroit. Over the years, he has expanded his investment in oil companies through his business, Barrick Enterprises.
“I worked my butt off. No one gave me anything,” he said. “College education is very important. I want to help open the door to get others to go to college. It’d be great to help some kid from Lincoln go to college.”
Barrick, 79, is acutely aware of his good fortune. To give back, Barrick has donated $250,000, including $100,000 for scholarships, to make a difference for future students.
“SIU holds a soft spot in my heart,” he said. “It contributed to my success in life. If I can help one or two others in life, then that’s what it is all about.
“I got my foundation at SIU in political science that allowed me to do very well…If it hadn’t been for scholarships, I wouldn’t have been able to make it.”
—Roland Burris, SIU Supporter
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