Longtime Saluki pledges $30K, joins leadership society

By Jeff Wilson

For more than 50 years, Mike Norrington has been a Saluki Athletics season ticket holder. Now, he is one of the first members of the newly minted Big Dawg Leadership Society.

The society honors the most resolute supporters among Saluki Nation and offers them unique access and opportunities to enhance the fan experience. Members of the Big Dawg Leadership Society are recognized at various giving levels. Norrington recently made a $30,000 pledge to Saluki Athletics.

A fixture at most Saluki Basketball and Football games, he believes there is no better bang for his buck.

“It’s the best entertainment in the southern part of the state. You can’t beat it,” Norrington said. “There’s no chant that brings about more internal stimulation than ‘S-I-U, S-I-U!’”

He also understands the value donors bring to the athletics department.

“I give, but it’s a pittance of the whole budget. You can’t run a football team without some big bucks. There are lots of players, lots of travel. That stuff isn’t cheap,” he said. “SIU is a place of higher education. It can’t put all its money in athletics.”

For Norrington, joining the Big Dawg Leadership Society was the obvious choice.

“If someone asks what’s happening that day, and I can say there’s an SIU game, that definitely elevates the day,” he said. “Your long-range commitment isn’t that bad. There are a lot of things in life that cost a lot more. The Big Dawg Leadership Society is just Saluki Athletics saying thank you for guaranteeing it for five years.”

To learn more about the society, email Todd Reeser at toddr@foundation.siu.edu or Kat Martin at katm@foundation.siu.edu.

Sharing Saluki stories

Norrington’s Saluki story began in 1965 when he came to SIU as a freshman from Decatur. After working a couple student jobs, he was hired onto the Saluki Patrol, becoming a full-time officer in 1970, working on the SIU police force until 1980.

“SIU police were the main people responsible for dignitaries that came to campus. I stood right beside President Jimmy Carter with the Secret Service in 1976. I was assigned as the driver to pick up Elvis Presley that same year.

“I picked him up at the airport when he got off his Lisa Marie jet and drove the car straight into the SIU Arena. We went with him on stage, and when it was over, we got back in the car and went right back to the airport. It was the coolest thing I have ever done.”

He also interacted with an SIU legend, President Delyte Morris. After starting his Saluki Patrol job, Norrington remembers meeting President Morris while walking through campus.

“My name tag just said ‘Norrington, but (Morris) said ‘Mike, you’re one of our new officers. We appreciate having you on board’ and shook my hand,” Norrington said. “He knew everyone and had respect for them all.”

In 1980, Norrington became the chief of police in Clinton, Illinois, working there for 13 years. He then returned to Carbondale as the director of law enforcement for the southern third of the state. He retired in 2018 after 25 years in that role.

During his decades around SIU and Saluki Athletics, Norrington has seen it all. He has seen the impact winning sports programs have on the university.

“When SIU went to the Sweet 16 a couple of times, that’s no joke. People I know around the country were talking about it,” he said. “If you’re into advertising, that’s the way to do it. The Salukis are something people recognize.”

Members earn unique access, opportunities to enhance fan experience

The Big Dawg Leadership Society is the next step in what SIU Athletic Director Tim Leonard calls “Saluki World Domination.”

The newly formed society recognizes Saluki Athletics’ most resolute supporters and provides them with unique access and opportunities that enhance the fan experience. By making annual gifts to support Saluki Athletics and commitments to the Pride of Little Egypt (the athletic department’s name, image and likeness program) fans can make a transformative impact on student-athletes, coaches, and the university.

The Big Dawg Leadership Society includes three levels:

• Legendary: $25,000+ annual commitment to Saluki Athletics and $2,500 for three years to the Pride of Little Egypt
• Hall of Fame: $10,000-$24,999 annual commitment to Saluki Athletics and $2,500 for three years to the Pride of Little Egypt
• Champion: $5,000-$9,999 annual commitment to Saluki Athletics and $1,000, one-year commitment to the Pride of Little Egypt

Each level includes benefits, which range from exclusive events, deepened connections with student-athletes and coaches, Saluki gear, and more. To learn more, contact Todd Reeser at toddr@foundation.siu.edu or Kat Martin at katm@foundation.siu.edu.

“A new day is dawning, and this is your chance to officially become a Big Dawg,” Leonard said. “To build and maintain championship-caliber programs takes an investment from all Salukis. We have made commitments to our student-athletes and coaches, and now we need our fans join us on this mission.”

Recently, many programs and athletes have enjoyed historic success:

• Swimmer Celia Pulido and track and field alumni DeAnna Price and Raven Saunders participated in the Summer Olympics in Paris
• Softball won 44 games and reached the NCAA Regional Finals
• Football hosted and won the first home playoff game in Saluki Stadium history
• Men’s golf made the NCAA Regionals for the third time in five years
• Men’s basketball saw its highest average home attendance in a decade
• Saluki student-athletes maintained an overall GPA of 3.23, highlighted by Saluki Softball earning the highest GPA of any NCAA softball team in the nation

Last fall, Leonard announced Imagine: Salukis Unleashed, a $100 million fundraising campaign scheduled to continue for a decade. That vision includes game-changing projects, ranging from basketball and football practice facilities, an updated baseball clubhouse, improvements to Lingle Hall, equipment upgrades, a new soccer stadium, and more.

“We want you to dream big with us,” Leonard said. “We love seeing our fans at every game, but the Big Dawg Leadership Society goes beyond season tickets. We are asking for enhanced annual commitments that drive us forward in exciting ways. It is time for Saluki Athletics to dominate like never before.”

To make a gift online, visit give.siu.edu/athletics. Checks can be mailed to: Southern Illinois University Foundation, Colyer Hall – Mail Code 6805, 1235 Douglas Drive, Carbondale, Illinois, 62901. To make a gift to the Pride of Little Egypt, visit prideoflittleegypt.com.

By Jeff Wilson

Beyond tuition, Southern Illinois University Carbondale students face the same financial challenges as everyone else – paying bills, buying food, finding childcare, and more.

That reality and the desire to help is what prompted Chad Pendleton, a 1997 SIU graduate, to step up and make a $25,000 pledge to establish the Pendleton Family Bridging the Gap Fund.

“It was clear that this is a way to make a meaningful impact,” Pendleton said. “A host of financial challenges come up for students – rent, food, everyday factors that might lead them to withdraw. It stood out to me as an area that I could support. It serves a critical need, especially for minority students.”

Through the office of Dr. Paul Frazier, vice chancellor for anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion, students can apply for emergency funds that help them stay enrolled at SIU, enhancing the university’s retention efforts and helping students reach their academic goals.

A Unique Journey

Pendleton doesn’t have the traditional Saluki story, but he shares the Saluki spirit that makes SIU special.

After deciding that the University of Memphis wasn’t the right fit for him, the Tennessee native took a job at a local hospital and discovered a passion for health care. He came across a flyer for SIU’s off-campus location at a local naval base and learned that it offered an accelerated degree program in health care management. He knew immediately that it was the perfect opportunity.

“I found it to be a very rewarding experience,” Pendleton said. “It was phenomenal to get my bachelor’s degree and bolster my career. After graduation, my career progressed quickly, and that was a direct result of my education.”

When his father became seriously ill, Pendleton embraced the chance to focus on what mattered most – family. With his sons transitioning through high school and college, Pendleton saw this as a time to be fully present for his family during pivotal moments in their lives. He also pursued his Ph.D., all while continuing to work with health care leaders by founding Pendleton Advisory Group.

“It gave me the flexibility to be there for my family when they needed me the most,” he said. “Pendleton Advisory Group has been more successful than I ever imagined, and it has allowed me to maintain that balance.”

The experience of supporting his family during this difficult time reinforced Pendleton’s belief in the importance of having both a personal and financial support network. His decision to contribute to SIU through the Pendleton Family Bridging the Gap Fund was born from this understanding.

Reconnecting with SIU

This October, the Saluki Takeover Tour is coming to Memphis for the first time. Pendleton will be attending the Chancellor’s Reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at King Jerry Lawler’s Hall of Fame Bar & Grill.

“There are more alumni in this area than I realized,” Pendleton said. “It will be great to develop a network of individuals. We are all still representing the Salukis, and I am looking forward to reconnecting.”

Pendleton, who also serves on the advisory committee for the SIU College of Health and Human Sciences, looks forward to meeting with alumni who may feel less connected to the college and the university.

“I credit much of my success to SIU,” he said. “I want to show others how they can re-establish their connection and how they can get involved. SIU gave me so much, and this is an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way.”

To learn more about making a gift, visit siuf.org. To register for the Saluki Takeover Tour Memphis, visit siuf.org/memphis.

 

Mark your calendar for Sept. 19-21 at SIU

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.

 

 

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.

By Jeff Wilson

CARBONDALE – The SIU Day of Giving is moving to the fall. The annual fundraising event will be Wednesday, Sept. 18.

The first eight SIU Days of Giving were during the spring semester, but the excitement around campus during the fall semester made the move the logical choice. Each year, the SIU community comes together for a 24-hour, online Day of Giving. Supporters visit siuday.siu.edu and make a gift to any college, unit, program, or initiative. Click here today to make your gift early.

“SIU is a special place in the fall. Students have returned, and campus is alive with activity,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “We want the SIU Day of Giving to be part of the palpable excitement that already exists during the fall semester. We’re confident our alumni, faculty, staff, and students will embrace the date change.”

Since its inception in 2017, donors have given about $17 million during the SIU Day of Giving, including $3.1 million from more than 2,600 donors this February. The Day of Giving is part of the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has set a $500 million goal by July 2028. It is the fifth largest such campaign in Illinois history.

To increase the impact of their gifts, donors can check if their employer matches charitable donations at siuf.org/matching. Gifts can be made any time between now and Wednesday, Sept. 18, at siuday.siu.edu and count toward the Day of Giving.

“Every Day of Giving we emphasize the impact of every gift, no matter the size, and that will be especially true on Wednesday, Sept. 18,” Kupec said. “The funds raised during the Day of Giving provide students and faculty with vital financial support. No matter the date, Saluki spirit will shine.”

As in previous years, there will be an SIU Day of Giving livestream broadcast on the SIU Alumni Association’s Facebook page. Hosted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the WSIU-TV studio, the broadcast will feature interviews with Chancellor Austin Lane, campus leaders, students, faculty, and others.

Viewers will learn about the exciting things happening each day at SIU and how they can best support their favorite area of campus. Comments on the livestream will be featured on the screen.

Other than making a gift and watching the broadcast, there are other ways for alumni and donors to support the Day of Giving.

Simply by using #SIUDay on social media and sharing posts from the SIU Foundation and other units on campus is a great way to show support. Supporters can also sign up to become and SIU Day of Giving Advocate at siuday.siu.edu. Advocates get special Day of Giving updates and can share their own Day of Giving messages with others.

By Jeff Wilson

The SIU Foundation shattered its records for fundraising and scholarships awarded during Fiscal Year 2024.

Supporters of Southern Illinois University Carbondale donated nearly $47 million in FY24, a whopping 51 percent increase over FY23. The SIU Foundation awarded an incredible $5,406,133 in scholarships. More than 1,840 students benefitted from these scholarships, meaning that 16 percent of all SIU students received a Foundation scholarship this fiscal year.

“These outstanding numbers are a testament to the strength of the Saluki spirit that stretches around the globe,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “Our alumni and donors are making a tremendous impact on students, faculty, and the community.”

The SIU Foundation has increased the amount of scholarship dollars awarded to students each of the last five years. The FY24 total represents 127 percent growth over the amount awarded in FY19.

“I am extremely grateful. Alumni and donors have changed my life,” said SIU senior and scholarship recipient Chloe Dennison. “I have always been afraid of student loans, and these scholarships have allowed me to dedicate myself to being the best student and the best nurse I can be.”

The Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign is progressing well with $341,740,750 in commitments toward its $500 million goal. It is the fifth largest campaign in Illinois public university history.

The most recent fiscal year was highlighted by three major gift announcements:

• John and Jayne Simmons announced a $10 million gift to the law school, which was then named Simmons Law School
• Roger and Sally Tedrick announced a $6 million gift toward a new welcome center to be built on campus and named the Tedrick Welcome Center
• James Franklin Sharp made a $1 million gift to the former University Museum, which was named Sharp Museum in his honor

The SIU Foundation also hosted multiple events, engaging alumni and friends across the country.

In its third year, the Saluki Takeover Tour made stops in Chicago, Springfield, Nashville, Florida, St. Louis, Southern Illinois, and Hollywood. The initiative takes SIU on the road and connects alumni with university leaders. This year, more than 1,500 alumni gathered for 14 Chancellor’s Receptions.

Overall, the number of stops on the Saluki Takeover Tour doubled over the previous. The Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois included visits to Illinois’ southernmost 17 counties, more than 20 school visits, and six Chancellor’s Receptions. It was capped by a Southern Illinois Celebration on May 4 at Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, which was attended by more than 400 people.

The Saluki Takeover Tours have brought together thousands of alumni and friends, forged partnerships with high schools and community colleges, engaged dozens of donors, and raised $1.2 million. Fiscal Year 2025 will feature more takeover tour stops than ever before. Watch highlights from previous takeover tours at siuf.org/takeovers.

During the eighth annual SIU Day of Giving, the Foundation raised more than $3.1 million from 2,669 donors. SIU Credit Union kicked off the Day of Giving by donating $35,000 in total, designating $20,000 to New Student Programs and $15,000 to Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center.

Leading the way with 670 donors was the Balancing Education, Experience, and Reality (B.E.E.R.) Scholarships, driven by the Carbondale in the ’80s and ’90s Facebook group. Nearly $45,000 was raised for the endowed scholarship fund. The College of Business and Analytics raised almost $765,000, the most of any college, school, or unit.

“In its role as an accelerator, the SIU Foundation has led the way on multiple initiatives, increasing engagement with alumni and philanthropic support that is making a major difference,” Kupec said.

To learn more about the SIU Foundation, visit siuf.org.

CARBONDALE – The Southern Illinois University Athletics Department is announcing the launch of its Name, Image and Likeness collective, Pride of Little Egypt.

The collective will support student-athletes in all 17 of SIU’s athletic programs. Alumni and friends can choose a monthly membership or a one-time contribution at www.prideoflittleegypt.com.

“We are thrilled about the direction of Saluki Athletics, and Pride of Little Egypt collective is a major piece of that bright future,” said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tim Leonard. “This is how we recruit and retain the best players and bring championships to Carbondale.”

Working with Student Athlete NIL (SANIL), Pride of Little Egypt will allow SIU’s student-athletes to leverage their name, image and likeness. Pride of Little Egypt will work in unison with various SIU supporters to create marketing plans that maximize student-athlete earnings while ensuring that the university’s best interests remain protected throughout.

“This is an opportunity for Saluki Nation to enhance our student-athletes’ experience. It’s one of the top factors in today’s college basketball environment,” said Saluki Men’s Basketball coach Scott Nagy.

Pride of Little Egypt is independent from Southern Illinois University, and the university does not receive any financial benefit from the collective. NCAA rules allow alumni, fans and other donors to compensate student-athletes through the collective, but such compensation:

• may not be considered “pay for play,”
• must be in exchange for services provided by the student-athlete, and
• may not be a recruiting inducement for a student-athlete to enroll or continue to attend SIU.

“Our staff and student-athletes are thrilled about the possibilities provided by Pride of Little Egypt,” said Saluki Softball coach Jen Sewell. “Our recruits and current athletes are excited to advance their personal brand and connect with the SIU community.”

Saluki Athletics has recently experienced a run of high-level success, including the men’s golf team winning the Missouri Valley Conference championship; softball earning the MVC regular-season title; and two Saluki Football players signing NFL contracts.

Little Egypt, a nickname attributed to Southern Illinois about 200 years ago, was the inspiration for SIU’s choice of the saluki, the royal dog of Egypt, as its mascot in 1951.

Student-athletes are available to do social media posts, attend events, sign autographs or participate in a variety of other marketing activities. Potential partners should contact SANIL at billyray@studentathletenil.com.

By Jeff Wilson

The Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois visited multiple high schools and community colleges and hosted six receptions for alumni and community members.

Chancellor Austin Lane, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Wendell Williams, Director of Admissions Sarah Jiter, and many others traveled to high schools in Benton, Carmi-White County, Mount Vernon, Marion, Johnston City, Gallatin County, Harrisburg, Murphysboro, Chester, Hardin County, Du Quoin, Vienna, Meridian, Cairo, Anna Jonesboro, Cobden, Massac County, Carterville, Carbondale, and Joppa,  meeting with administrators and visiting with students who have committed to attending SIU in the fall. The group also visited John A. Logan Community College, Southeastern Illinois College, and met with other educators around the area.

The Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois ended Saturday, May 4, at Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort in Carterville. Attend by 400 Salukis, the event included welcomed incoming students with an SIU hat ceremony.

“Southern Illinois is a very large area, and we have been all over,” Lane said. “It has been amazing to see all the students and administrators from Chester, to Mount Vernon, from Pope County to Cairo.”

The evening included the SIU Day of Giving trophy presentation, which honored the groups that performed the best during the Day of Giving on Feb. 28. Those groups were: the Balancing Education, Experience, and Reality Scholarship (B.E.E.R.) group, College of Business and Analytics, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, School of Law, School of Medicine, and WSIU Public Broadcasting.

Guests also heard remarks from Williams, Athletic Director Tim Leonard, and men’s basketball coach Scott Nagy.

One of the programs being highlighted by Lane and his staff is the Saluki Commitment, which guarantees that tuition and mandatory fees are fully covered for four (transfer students) or eight (freshman students) consecutive  semesters at no cost to students or families.

Recipients must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a first-time incoming freshman enrolling full-time on-campus in the fall 2021 semester or later.
• Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Have an annual family income less than $103,040 with assets less than $50,000 based on your FAFSA.
• Be an Illinois resident who attended an Illinois high school.
• Be a dependent student under age 24.
• Be eligible for federal financial aid.

“There is no reason in the world for a student from any county in Southern Illinois to attend any other university than the one in their backyard,” Lane said Wednesday, May 1, at Fat Edd’s Roadhouse in Metropolis. “You’re not going to find another school that’s close to you that’s an R2 higher research institution. We’re soon to become an R1 institution. That’s our goal.”

Alumni and friends have gathered for five Chancellor’s Receptions at The Granada Theatre in Mount Vernon on Wednesday, April 24, Morello’s in Harrisburg on Thursday, April 25, St. Nicholas Brewing Co. in Du Quoin on Friday, April 26, Alto Vineyards in Alto Pass on Monday, April 29, and Fat Edd’s Roadhouse in Metropolis on Wednesday, May 1.

Dozens of Salukis have come to each event to meet Chancellor Lane and other SIU leaders.

“We want students to know they can come from Mount Vernon, Benton, Carmi-White County, or anywhere else and launch to the world,” Lane said to a crowd of nearly 50 guests Wednesday, April 24, at The Granada Theatre in Mount Vernon. “You don’t have to leave and go anywhere. We have an advantage right here in our backyard.”

At each reception, SIU leaders were met with excitement from alumni and friends from across Southern Illinois.

“I don’t know the last time we’ve had an event like this with boots on the ground, going and seeing high school students, giving out scholarships. That’s what it’s going to take,” said Saluki Football coach and Du Quoin native Nick Hill during the reception Friday, April 26, at St. Nicholas Brewing Co.

The Office of Innovation and Economic Development at SIU and the Small Business Navigator Program are partnering with local organizations to offer Business Resource Meet Ups. The purpose of these events is to provide valuable

insights into the Advantage Illinois Loan Program, along with detailed information on the services of the Illinois SBDC and the Illinois APEX Accelerator program at SIU. Events have already taken place at Innovation Hub in Mount Vernon, MAN-TRA-CON in Marion, Morello’s in Harrisburg, Alongi’s Italian Restaurant in Du Quoin, First Missionary Baptist Church in Cairo, Vienna High School, Carbondale Civic Center, and United Methodist Church in Golconda.

“We’re preaching pride in the region. We’re preaching legacy. We’re preaching accessibility,” said Lane on Monday, April 29, at Alto Vineyards. “All of those things are keeping our students here at home. We have some wonderful Salukis coming in.”

For more information, call 618-453-4900 or email siuf@foundation.siu.edu.

For more photos and video highlights from the Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois, visit the SIU Foundation on Facebook. 

 

By Jeff Wilson

Aaron Mallory is implementing the skills he learned at Southern Illinois University to advance the mission of his organization, GRO Community.

A mental health service provider, GRO Community specializes in trauma-informed treatment for boys and men from low socio-economic groups and/or Black and Brown communities. One of its keys focuses is curbing gun violence among these groups in Chicago and beyond.

A 2010 graduate of SIU’s College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics, Mallory favors a proactive, process-driven approach to combating these issues.

“We are supporting marginalized communities from a different approach,” he said. “We want to use economics and systems to create change. We want to solve the gun violence issue, which greatly affects Black youth and is heavily intertwined with mental health.”

Mallory came to SIU from Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School in Chicago, and he had to prove himself to stay enrolled.

“I wasn’t the best student in high school, but I wasn’t the worst either,” he said. “Getting into SIU was one of the best things that happened to me. I took University 101 and was able to ground myself in the college experience. I learned life skills and lessons and finished my first year with a 3.7 GPA.”

He joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, took part in the Saluki Summer Bridge program, and the Success in Engineering Through Excellence in Diversity program. He eventually became the vice president of Kappa Alpha Psi and received internships with John Deere and Boeing.

“SIU really gave me my foundation. I learned how to navigate business and people,” Mallory said. “My experience at SIU was love. It’s a very diverse environment. It really cultivated the passion within me.”

Returning to Chicago after graduation in 2010, Mallory knew he wanted to be involved in mentoring kids. He earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago.

“I had a job, but it wasn’t my passion,” he said. “I started working on GRO Community full time on March 13, 2020. It grew like crazy. Within a year, we had 10 staff members. Now we have 80, and we’re aggressively hiring now. I am trying to create a pipeline of students from SIU to come work for us. Currently, there are nine Salukis on the staff.”

It was that SIU connection that led GRO Community to become the Cocktail Reception Sponsor for the second annual Saluki Ball in Chicago. With a $10,000 donation to the ball, which raises funds that bridge the financial gap for SIU students, Mallory and GRO Community were among the event’s most notable backers.

“Originally, I was going to buy a table, but then I went online and saw testimonials from students impacted by these funds, and I knew we could do something bigger than that,” Mallory said. “SIU has been really good to me, and I wanted to show appreciation.”