The third annual Saluki Women’s Weekend is Thursday, Sept. 19, through Saturday, Sept. 21.
Hosted by the SIU Foundation Women’s Leadership Council, the three-day affair will feature multiple events and many of SIU’s most inspiring female leaders. The council is a network of alumnae, parents, and friends committed to creating a culture of women-driven philanthropy at SIU and mentoring future generations of Salukis.
SIU Credit Union is a proud sponsor of the Women in Empowerment Conference Sponsor for the third annual Saluki Women’s Weekend on Friday, Sept. 20, at Morris Library.
“This is our third year being a sponsor of the Saluki Women’s Weekend. We love giving back to our community,” said Kim Babington, vice president of community outreach at SIU Credit Union. “This is a year of empowerment. It is a great function for all women to attend. There will be great speakers and great leaders from our area.”
The Women in Empowerment Conference will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. Check-in will be followed by breakfast and opening remarks. From there, topics will include artificial intelligence, health and wellness, career planning, philanthropy, and more. There will also be an expert panel discussion and Q&A session.
The Soar with Success: Saluki Women’s Reception will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Glenn Poshard Transportation Center at Southern Illinois Airport in Murphysboro. Check-in begins at 5 p.m., and the keynote speaker will be Erin Jackson, an SIU alumna and American Airlines pilot. There will also be the opportunity for aviation tours and exclusive networking opportunities.
The weekend will conclude with the Saluki Women Tailgating Experience before SIU plays SEMO on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Saluki Stadium. The tailgate will begin at 4 p.m. on Saluki Row, and the game begins at 6 p.m.
“The Saluki Women’s Weekend is a time for SIU alumnae and women business owners and community members to come together and showcase their incredible talents,” said Sherrica Hunt, the SIU Foundation’s assistant vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion. “The energy that these women bring to this event, our campus, and our society is inspiring. We want to share that with as many people as possible.”
Diane Compardo, SIU Foundation Board of Directors president and a proud 1992 alumna, is the Women in Empowerment Conference Sponsor for the third annual Saluki Women’s Weekend through her firm, Moneta, on Friday, Sept. 20, at Morris Library during the third annual Saluki Women’s Weekend.
She is also a member of the College of Business and Analytics Hall of Fame and the SIU Women’s Leadership Council. The council connects Saluki alumnae to current female students and offers guidance and mentorship as they study and prepare for life beyond college.
The Saluki Women’s Weekend begins on Thursday, Sept. 19, with the Saluki Women’s Reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center at SI Airport. It continues from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, with the conference at Morris Library, and concludes with the Women’s Tailgating Experience from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saluki Row at Saluki Stadium before the SIU Football team takes on SEMO.
“SIU gave me an amazing opportunity – and I want to pay it forward to the women there today, ensuring they understand the many opportunities available to them,” Compardo said.
In recent years, Moneta has put an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Moneta’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council supports the company’s mission to “empower people to navigate life’s path and protect what they cherish.” The council aims to achieve this by continually striving for an equitable, inclusive culture that encourages valuing, respecting, and celebrating the differences of Moneta’s employees, clients, and all whom it encounters.
“I’m thrilled to invite you to the third annual Saluki Women’s Weekend,” Compardo said. “It is such an empowering event for women. Please come and enjoy the event and connect with all the amazing women who are already planning to attend.”
For more information about the Saluki Women’s Weekend, visit siuf.org/salukiwomen.
Growing up surrounded by animals on a family farm in Lincoln, Illinois, Cierra Crowell brings unique passion to her studies at Southern Illinois University.
“I came to SIU in 2018 to study animal science with a specialization in equine science. Later, I decided to get my master’s degree in equine science, and after going out in the world to get a job, I decided I still had a lot of questions and returned to SIU to get my Ph.D. in canine science.”
During her first semester, Crowell had a class with Dr. Erin Perry, an award-winning scientist and author who is also a canine search specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“Dr. Perry took me underneath her wing,” Crowell said. “She helped me find my passion. We always had animals growing up. I was happiest in the barn and hauling on the road.”
Crowell has been the recipient of multiple scholarships, which have aided her during her education journey and allowed her to focus on research at the highest level.
“Scholarships take the financial stress off. I do not have to work as much or focus on paying for school,” she said.
Crowell has collaborated with Royal Canin and the Search Dog Foundation. She focuses on how dietary factors impact dogs in particular situations.
Cierra Crowell and her dogs
“Our canine research program focuses primarily on working canine and companion canines, including fitness capabilities, odor detection, gastrointestinal health, and nutritional and dermatological aspects,” she said.
Not only have donors impact Crowell through scholarships, funds from alumni and friends of the university impact her research directly.
“By utilizing donor funds, we are able to do more research and put SIU out there,” she said. “We are up there with some of the top institutions when it comes to canine research. Donations to the Canine Research Center fuel the passion, research, and opportunities for the leaders of tomorrow in the field.”
In the future, Crowell plans to continue her research and drive the next generation of students forward as they improve the lives and health outcomes of canines.
“It’s my goal to be able to teach the next generation, keep doing research, and eventually have graduate students of my own,” she said.
To learn more about the Canine Research Center, visit canineresearch.siu.edu. To make a gift, visit siuf.org.
The SIU Foundation recently announced the addition of five members to its Board of Directors.
Led by President Diane Compardo, the SIU Foundation Board of Directors has set a course that led to a historic Fiscal Year 2024 in which the Foundation raised $46.8 million amid the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. The campaign, which ends in 2028, has raised $343 million toward its $500 million goal.
The following individuals joined the board on July 1, 2024:
John Forbes, CPA, founder and president, Forbes Financial Group
David Hartley, CPA, CISA, partner-in-charge, advisory, Anders CPAs + Advisors
Darius Robinson, operations manager, Menzies Aviation
Toni Williams, owner, Children’s Center for Creative Learning, and owner-operator, McDonald’s
“We are thrilled for these talented individuals to join us as we work together in moving our mission forward,” said SIU Foundation Board of Directors President Diane Compardo. “Their unique perspectives and dedication will be so important in shaping our future and making a meaningful difference.”
Forbes is a native of Southern Illinois, grew up in Carterville and graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. After graduation, he served as a staff accountant in the Middle Market Practice Group at KPMG Peat Marwick in St. Louis. During that time, he also obtained the designation of certified public accountant. Before founding Forbes Financial Group in 2005, he was an investment representative with Edward Jones in Carbondale for nearly 10 years. Forbes holds an Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional designation as well as an Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation from the College for Financial Planning. He and his wife, Karen, have supported SIU through donations to multiple areas, including Saluki Athletics, WSIU, and The Together We Can Do More Scholarship Fund. They live in Makanda and have three daughters and three grandkids.
“Giving back to SIU changes lives. It makes generational impact,” Forbes said. “It’s certainly a valuable place to invest time and money into. It’s amazing when people that are passionate about something get together and collaborate, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
Hartley graduated from SIU in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. A Carbondale native, he is a business and technology executive with over 30 years of continuous innovation and leadership. He was recognized by the Missouri Society of CPAs with its “Impact Award: Outstanding Innovator” in November 2018 and elected to serve as a Member of the MOCPA Board of Directors for 2020-2023. He was formerly vice president and CIO at Arch Coal (now Arch Resources), one of the world’s largest, safest and most environmentally responsible coal producers. He and his wife, Barbara, have been regular supporters of the Accounting Circle Fund in SIU’s College of Business and Analytics. They live in St. Louis and have two adult children.
“I am very excited to be a member of the SIU Foundation board and contribute back to what I consider a great institution and a great cause,” Hartley said. “I’m very humbled by this opportunity. SIU has been a huge part of my life.”
Robinson received his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology in 1995 and a master’s degree in manufacturing systems in 1998, both from SIU. He has made significant contributions to SIU students and his community, including establishing an endowed scholarship for graduates from East St. Louis Senior High School. He is also involved in various volunteer activities, such as supporting schools in Ghana and Mexico through the Sister Cities Committee of Hanover Park. In his role at Menzies Aviation, he manages the jet fuel and hydrant system that fuels the aircraft at O’Hare International Airport. His dedication to giving back and helping others is inspired by his father, who was a strong role model in his life. He and his wife, Norlander, live in Hanover Park.
“When I saw how Chancellor Lane, his staff, and the SIU Foundation bringing alumni together and breaking fundraising records, I realized that the Foundation board was the entity with which I wanted to align myself,” Robinson said.
Williams received her bachelor’s degree from SIU in 1991, majoring in elementary education. She later earned master’s degrees from Chicago State and University of Illinois Chicago. She is also a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. After a 10-year career in the Chicago Public Schools system, she opened the Children’s Center for Creative Learning, which provides a nurturing and creative learning environment for children ages 6 months to 6 years. She is also an owner-operator of multiple McDonald’s franchises.
“Our legacy and our history are strong, and it’s going to be strong for many years to come,” Williams said. “I want to thank Salukis everywhere from all they do across the globe.”
The SIU Foundation is excited to welcome Jocelyn Popit to its fundraising team as the senior director of development for the College of Liberal Arts.
She joins a team that has raised more than $340 million toward the $500 million goal of the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. It is the fifth-largest campaign in the history of Illinois higher education. The SIU Foundation is coming off a record-breaking fiscal year having raised $46.8 million in FY24.</>
Popit spent the previous decade in health care philanthropy, most recently directing the foundation at Southern Illinois Healthcare. Before that, she taught high school English. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Notre Dame.
She and her husband live in Carterville with their two children. She is also a member of the school board at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School in Herrin.
The third annual Saluki Women’s Weekend is Thursday, Sept. 19, through Saturday, Sept. 21.
Hosted by the SIU Foundation Women’s Leadership Council, the four-day affair will feature multiple events and many of SIU’s most inspiring female leaders. The council is a network of alumnae, parents, and friends who are committed to creating a culture of women-driven philanthropy at SIU and mentoring future generations of Salukis.
The theme for the weekend is “Saluki Sisterhood: Empowering Today, Inspiring Tomorrow.” To register for this free event, visit siuf.org/salukiwomen.
“The Saluki Women’s Weekend is a time for SIU alumnae and women business owners and community members to come together and showcase their incredible talents,” said Sherrica Hunt, the SIU Foundation’s assistant vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion. “The energy that these women bring to this event, our campus, and our society is inspiring. We want to share that with as many people as possible.”
The Soar with Success: Saluki Women’s Reception will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Glenn Poshard Transportation Center at SI Airport in Murphysboro. Check-in begins at 5 p.m., and the keynote speaker will be Erin Jackson, an SIU alumna and American Airlines pilot. There will also be the opportunity for aviation tours and exclusive networking opportunities.
The Women in Empowerment Conference will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Morris Library. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., followed by breakfast and opening remarks. From there, topics will include artificial intelligence, health and wellness, career planning, philanthropy, and more. There will also be an expert panel discussion and Q&A session.
The weekend will conclude with the Saluki Women Tailgating Experience before SIU plays SEMO on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Saluki Stadium. The tailgate will begin at 4 p.m. on Saluki Row, and the game begins at 6 p.m.
There will also be four awards handed out – Woman of the Year, Trailblazer, Emerging Leader, and Rising Star.
The weekend is sponsored by SIU Credit Union, Moneta Group, Legence Bank, SIH, Oasis Skin & Wellness Center, Rendleman Orchards, Dawn Korte, Ph.D., State Farm agent Cristina Pisoni, and WSIU.
For more details and a full list of speakers, visit siuf.org/salukiwomen. All public events are free. Some events will be invitation-only. For more information or contact Sherrica Hunt, assistant vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion, at sherricah@foundation.siu.edu.
Kathryn Sime, assistant vice chancellor for major & planned giving, reflects on her first solo donor meeting with SIU alumna and generous benefactor, Marilea Koch.
I met Marilea Koch (SIU, BS, 1952) in the fall of 2018. I was a new development officer for the SIU Foundation, primarily focused on working with alumni from the School of Education. Marilea was my first solo donor meeting, and I was so nervous walking up to the front door of her modest duplex in Salem, Illinois. She was a retired high school English and speech teacher, struggling with macular degeneration. While there was nothing in her home that would have hinted that Marilea could make a major gift to support Southern Illinois University, her 23 years of giving were an indicator of her deep love for SIU. At the end of our visit, I took a breath and bravely asked if she had ever considered leaving a planned gift to benefit SIU. She responded with a smile and said “I wondered if you would ask about that.”
Marilea explained that she had already included SIU in her estate plans in hopes of establishing a scholarship in memory of her parents. I worked with her on the language for the scholarship, and ultimately, we established the Edward and Elizabeth Ann Paddison Scholarship Endowment Fund. She declined to share an estimated amount for the scholarship, but did confirm that it would likely meet the minimum of $25,000 required for an endowment. I returned multiple times and kept in touch with Marilea. She never wanted any publicity for her gift commitment and continued to support her beloved SIU every year.
Marilea lived simply her entire life up until her death at 93 this past January. When her estate trustee, also an SIU alumnus, called me to confirm details of her estate gift, he shared that Marilea’s gift was indeed sufficient to meet the minimum endowment level, and in fact, would likely exceed $600,000 to provide scholarships for SIU students from Southern Illinois. In addition, Marilea’s quiet philanthropy included generous gifts to her church and local public library. Her incredible gift will support SIU students for generations. I am grateful to have known Marilea and thrilled by her generosity.
Learn how you can make a lasting legacy at SIU: siufgiving.org
John Simmons (middle) cuts the ribbon Friday, Aug. 16, at the SIU Simmons Law School.
Support from $10M donation will help students, faculty
By Jeff Wilson
CARBONDALE – SIU Simmons Law School has a nice ring to it. Now it has a fresh look to match.
In February 2024, John and Jayne Simmons announced a $10 million gift to the law school, enhancing and expanding its educational offerings to students and opportunities to faculty. In honor of the donation, the SIU Board of Trustees voted to name the SIU Simmons Law School. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 16, the new name and signage were unveiled.
“This mission is aligned with my personal and professional value system,” said John Simmons, a member of the SIU Board of Trustees and founder of the Simmons Hanly Conroy law firm. “We are proud of this school and what it stands for. I owe a lot of my success to SIU and what it has given to my family. It has sent me on my way to success, expanded my world, my horizons, my view on life and my role in supporting my community.”
This historic gift – the largest SIU Carbondale has ever received – further cements Simmons’ legacy at SIU, which includes a $10.2 million commitment to the Simmons Cancer Institute at the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. His most recent contribution comes as another major step in the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has raised more than $340 million toward its $500 million goal.
“This gift will allow all of our students and faculty to continue to imagine,” Chancellor Austin Lane said. “You can think about all of the things you’re going to get in this building that are going to take you from Southern Illinois into the world.”
Simmons, a native and resident of Alton, is an SIUE graduate and chairperson and founder of Simmons Hanly Conroy law firm. His support will help provide more access, services, and opportunities to students seeking educational opportunities at SIU Simmons Law School.
The law school is the alma mater of more than 180 local, state, and federal judges. It also 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.
“Lending one’s name, one’s reputation to a school is a profound gesture,” said SIU Simmons Law School Acting Dean Angela Upchurch. “It intertwines their identity with the ongoing story and mission of that institution, and it creates an indelible impact on its faculty, students and staff.”
Simmons has served two stints on the SIU Board of Trustees, first from 2004 to 2015 and was appointed again in 2019 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. He has previously functioned as the board’s secretary and chair. He earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University and previously served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer.
In 1999, he 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.
“John is motivated by his core belief of giving back to the community to help improve and create a better life for others,” said SIU Board of Trustees Chair J. Phil Gilbert. “The contribution and investment in this law school will change lives by providing educational opportunities to anyone desiring a legal education … and will develop future leaders that make this world a better place in which to live.”
This concept art shows what the Tedrick Welcome Center could look like once constructed. (Provided by Hafer Architects)
CARBONDALE – With the fall semester comes new beginnings, and this year, it marks the start of the first major campus construction project in nearly 12 years as progress begins on the Tedrick Welcome Center.
With the raising of a fence around the construction site, Parking Lot No. 11 will be closed. Once the building is completed in May of 2026, parking will once again be available.
“Construction of the Tedrick Welcome Center is 100 percent funded through the SIU Foundation. It will require no taxpayer dollars and no tuition or student fee monies,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “The Foundation prides itself on maintaining a strong partnership with the university, and the welcome center is its gift to this spectacular campus.”
Funded 100 percent through the SIU Foundation, including $6 million from Roger and Sally Tedrick, this state-of-the-art facility will be the first stop for prospective Salukis, with space for open houses, the origination of campus tours, orientations, and other events.
Members of the campus community, including colleges, admissions, student organizations, and other departments will utilize the space for conferences, seminars, meetings, and much more. The Tedrick Welcome Center will also serve as a hub for alumni activities and campus and community events.
As the SIU Foundation continues the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign – which has raised more than $340 million toward its $500 million goal – its offices will move into the southern wing of the new building and be known as the Philanthropy Center. In its most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation provided $5.4 million in scholarships to 1,842 students, impacting more than 16 percent of all SIU students.
“Aligning with the Imagine SIU 2030 strategic plan, the Tedrick Welcome Center is going to help the university increase enrollment, engage with alumni and friends, and provide a laboratory for SIU to solidify its role as a philanthropic leader,” Chancellor Austin Lane said.
Currently, the SIU Foundation is housed in Colyer Hall, the last active building in the area which is the former home of Greek Row. The university has informed the SIU Foundation that it must vacate that location as the dilapidated building is scheduled to be razed.
In recent years, the power of philanthropy has been on display around campus. Fundraising efforts and major gifts solicited by the Foundation have led to new construction and major improvements in multiple areas, including:
The revitalization of the Ralph E. Becker Pavilion at the boathouse
The building of the SIU Credit Union Pavilion at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center
A new, improved sign at the entrance of Touch of Nature
The Marching Salukis practice field and tower on East Campus
Improvements to the Fermentation Science Institute at McLafferty Annex
A planned fountain to be added to Campus Lake
Numerous other yet-to-be-announced projects across campus
“The philanthropic support of our alumni and donors is transforming campus in an incredible way,” Kupec said. “There are many opportunities for enhancements and new construction. SIU is a university on the move. Beyond the construction of the Tedrick Welcome Center, the Foundation will continue to have strategic impact on many improvements across campus.”
Questions about parking options
During the first two weeks of classes, Lot 13, east of the Student Center, will temporarily be free. It is a paid lot the rest of the year but free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. We also will make Lot 10, a blue decal space east of the Student Services Building, available to commuting students.
Lot 3 (across Highway 51, accessible from East Grand Avenue and Washington Street) is a good option and next to the walking bridge. The city of Carbondale also maintains paid parking near that lot.
Other red decal parking options include the following lots:
48 (near the tennis courts).
89A and 52 (north and southwest of Banterra Center).
39 Red (split lot, south of Life Science III).
4 Red (split lot, south of the Communications Building), 40 and 44 (southwest and north of the Communications Building).
6A (north of Morris Library).
7 Red (split lot, north of Pulliam Hall).
77 (Forest Street, south of Whitney Street) on the main campus.
Although employees with blue or gold decals may park in red decal lots, they are encouraged to park in blue decal lots to make space for commuting students. Blue decal lots near Lot 11 include:
10 (east of the Student Services Building).
2 (near Anthony Hall).
13A (southeast of the Student Center).
47 (west of Neckers).
89 (north of Banterra Center).
37 (south of the Engineering Building).
A 2023 study by Walker Consultants found that we have ample parking on campus, with an estimated 7,000+ vacant parking spaces during peak hours on a typical busy day; only 43 percent of red decal spaces were occupied. We understand that available spots may not be as close to a building entrance as someone would like, but many are within a 10-minute walk. After 4 p.m., you may park just about anywhere on campus, with the exception of visitors-only spaces, 24-hour reserved spaces and handicap spaces.
Female business owners can apply for EmpowerHER Community Grant
By Jeff Wilson
The SIU Foundation Women’s Leadership Council and Legence Bank are thrilled to announce the launch of the EmpowerHER Community Grant. This collaborative initiative will empower rising female entrepreneurs in Southern Illinois by providing financial resources and a unique platform for showcasing their businesses.
The EmpowerHER Community Grant will award two, $500 grants to local, women-owned businesses. Recipients will also highlight their products or services at the Saluki Women’s Weekend Women Empowerment Conference on Friday, Sept. 20.
“The EmpowerHER Community Grant is a testament to the commitment of the SIU Foundation Women’s Leadership Council and Legence Bank to fostering economic growth and empowering women in the region,” said Sherrica Hunt, assistant vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the SIU Foundation. “By providing financial support and visibility, this grant aims to create a lasting impact on the success of female entrepreneurs in Southern Illinois.”
The SIU Foundation Women’s Leadership Council is a network of alumnae, parents, and friends who are dedicated to empowering women through philanthropy, leadership development, and advocacy.
The third annual Saluki Women’s Weekend will be Thursday, Sept. 19, through Saturday, Sept. 21. This year’s theme is “Saluki Sisterhood: Empowering Today, Inspiring Tomorrow.” To learn more about the events and apply for the EmpowerHER Community Grant, visit siuf.org/salukiwomen.
Applications for the grant open Monday, Aug. 12. The deadline to complete applications is Friday, Aug. 30. The top five candidates will be invited to the Women in Philanthropy Luncheon, and the grants will be awarded Friday, Sept. 20, at the Women in Philanthropy Luncheon.
