By Jeff Wilson

Marilea Koch’s life was a testament to the value she placed on education and family. Through her estate planning, those deeply rooted convictions were more than confirmed, they were celebrated.

When Koch passed away in January of 2024, the gift that she left to the SIU Foundation materialized, in the form of hundreds of thousands of dollars to establish the Edward and Elizabeth Ann Paddison Endowment Fund. Named for her parents, her gift funds scholarships for students who live in Illinois counties south of Interstate 70.

Koch made her cousin, Carolyn Stubblefield, and her husband, Richard, trustees of her estate. They shared their fond memories of Marilea.

“Marilea valued education and wanted others to have access to books,” Richard Stubblefield said. “To that end, she endowed a scholarship to SIUC because she wanted students to be able to afford a college education. She also left a sizeable amount of monies to her community’s public library, and she made her church a beneficiary of her trust.”

Born and raised in Southern Illinois, Koch graduated from the Goode Barren Township High School in Sesser. She then attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale, graduating in 1952 with a degree from the College of Liberal Arts. During her time at SIU, she lived in Anthony Hall (which now houses the chancellor’s office) and developed lasting camaraderie among the young women who lived there.

“Marilea spoke fondly about her experience at SIU,” Richard Stubblefield said. “She was pleased that she could compete at the college level after her experience of attending a very small high school in Southern Illinois. She also spoke about the fact that she would not have been able to afford and attend college had it not been for the teacher education scholarship that she earned by being valedictorian of her graduating class.”

After college, she began her career as an English and speech teacher, holding positions in towns throughout Illinois, including Polo, Lincoln and Hinsdale.

“She was a teacher’s teacher,” Richard Stubblefield said. “She enjoyed the students that she taught and challenged those students to be writers.”

Family focus

Her parents, Edward “Ned” and Elizabeth Ann Paddison immigrated to the U.S. from England as children. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father was a coal miner until he became water superintendent in Sesser. The couple eventually moved to Chicago for better job opportunities.

“Marilea understood the sacrifice her parents made by leaving their home, family and friends to seek employment and a better life in order to support her higher education goals,” Carolyn Stubblefield said. “The scholarship she endowed honors her parents’ commitment to her education and seeks to enable young men and women with an opportunity to attend college at SIUC.”

In her final years, Koch composed two family histories, one for each side of her family.

“With her parents being from England, any time one stopped by the Paddison home, the kettle was boiling for tea,” Richard Stubblefield said. “Marilea’s extended family consisted of aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the family, and she would always make time to squeeze in a visit with them or drop them a note, even in her retirement years.”

Even though she was born during the Great Depression, her parents made traveling a priority, which is something Koch continued into adulthood. She traveled extensively across the U.S. and Europe.

“Marilea easily made friends wherever she taught and wherever she traveled,” Carolyn Stubblefield said. “She kept in touch with those far-flung friends with her annual Christmas letter, which was both newsy and amusing. As her younger cousin, I always looked forward to her personal notes at Christmas because she managed to interject humor into retelling stories about challenging situations, whether they dealt with car trouble or with a classroom experience.”

To learn more about estate planning, visit siufgiving.org.

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.

 

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.”

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.

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.”

Event is free and open to the public

By Jeff Wilson

CARBONDALE – After traveling to each of Illinois’ 17 southernmost counties, including more than 20 school visits, the Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois will close with the Southern Illinois Celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort.

Hosted by Chancellor Austin Lane, the event will recognize incoming SIU students. There will also be SIU Day of Giving trophy presentations, a celebration of the university’s recent successes, and a chance to thank our local partners. Many representatives from SIU will be in attendance, including new Saluki Men’s Basketball coach Scott Nagy.

To register, visit https://siuf.org/southern-illinois/walkers-bluff.php. Attendees will receive two complimentary drink tickets, and hors d’oeuvres will be served. This is your chance to join with SIU’s leaders, Saluki alumni and friends, current and future students, and many others for an evening of Saluki pride.

“Saluki spirit is evident everywhere we go, but it has its roots right here in Southern Illinois,” said Chancellor Austin Lane. “These takeover tour events are a terrific opportunity for our local alumni and friends to engage with our leadership and share their Saluki experience with others.”

Lane and many others traveled to local high schools in Anna Jonesboro, Benton, Cairo, Carbondale, Carterville, Carmi-White County, Chester, Cobden, Du Quion, Gallatin County, Hardin County, Harrisburg, Johnston City, Joppa, Marion, Massac County, Meridian, Mount Vernon, Murphysboro and Vienna, meeting with administrators and visiting with students who have committed to attending SIU in the fall. There have been visits to John A. Logan Community College and Southeastern Illinois College.

Alumni and friends have gathered for five Chancellor’s Receptions at The Granada Theatre in Mount Vernon, Morello’s in Harrisburg, St. Nicholas Brewing Co. in Du Quoin, Alto Vineyards in Alto Pass and Fat Edd’s Roadhouse in Metropolis. 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,” said Lane 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.”

“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 Nick Hill on Friday, April 26, at St. Nicholas Brewing Co. in Du Quoin.

The Office of Innovation and Economic Development at SIU and the Small Business Navigator Program partnered with local organizations to offer Business Resource Meet Ups. These events provided 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, and Carbondale Civic Center.

“We’re preaching pride in the region. We’re preaching legacy. We’re preaching accessibility,” said Chancellor 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.

 

By Jeff Wilson

Sydney Mott’s experience with Southern Illinois University and its College of Business and Analytics started with a great first impression.

When transferring from Southeastern Illinois College, she was considering Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and the University of Southern Indiana.

“I knew I wanted to stay close to home,” she said. “I met Rachel Richey (coordinator of recruitment and retention for COBA) and Benna Williams (assistant lecturer in COBA), and I knew I was going to come to Carbondale. I didn’t even visit USI.”

The Harrisburg High School graduate and Eldorado native knew early on that she wanted to become a certified public accountant and pursue a career with the federal or state government.

“My parents both worked as correctional officers, and I knew I wanted retirement security,” Mott said. “I always loved math, and I’m a bit of a perfectionist. I took an accounting class at SIC and got a job at Kemper CPA Group in Harrisburg, and it all just clicked.”

During her time at SIU, Mott has received multiple scholarships, including the Bill and Barbara Beck Accounting Scholarship, Kenneth J. and Jacqueline M. Hull/Illinois CPA Society Accounting Scholarship, and the Robert and Patricia Sforza Memorial Scholarship.

“When you add them up, these scholarships take the load off,” she said. “Even though donors may not always see the people they support, it’s important to know that student success may not be possible without those donations. It’s helping students not just in school, but it’s helping them find a job and further their lives.”

The adjustment from community college to SIU has been smoother because of the people Mott has met along the way.

“Coming in as a transfer student, you’re being placed in a completely different world,” she said. “SIU has been great. I’ve made great friends. The people in the College of Business and Analytics want to see you succeed.”