For decades, Dale and Colleen Hall have given back to Southern Illinois University Carbondale in meaningful ways.

Dale Hall’s education in SIU’s nationally recognized Automotive Technology program sparked a lifelong commitment to mentoring students, strengthening alumni connections and investing in the program that launched his career. Today, the Halls support that mission through an endowed scholarship, annual alumni outreach and a planned $100,000 estate gift that will benefit Automotive Technology for generations to come.

A career launched at SIU

For Dale, a 1988 graduate of the program, giving back begins with gratitude.

Dale credits SIU’s cooperative education program with launching his 34-year career at General Motors. After gaining hands-on experience at several Southern Illinois automobile dealerships, he landed a cooperative education position with Buick Motor Division while still an SIU student. The opportunity confirmed that he had found the career he wanted to pursue.

“You don’t know when you’re 20 years old what the future holds,” Dale said. “When the co-op position became available, it made my mind up very quick that that’s the direction I wanted to go. As soon as I graduated, I had an offer from Buick Division and just never looked back.”

Throughout his career, Dale stayed closely connected to his alma mater. He served on the Automotive Technology Advisory Board, recruited SIU graduates to General Motors, mentored students and returned to campus whenever he could.

While Dale’s connection to SIU began as a student, Colleen’s started years later. After General Motors transferred Dale to Southern California, mutual friends introduced the couple through mountain biking. They married in 2001. As Dale continued his career with General Motors, Colleen spent 34 years with AT&T. She became part of the Saluki community herself, supporting Dale’s involvement with his alma mater and participating in alumni events and Automotive Technology activities.

Together, the Halls have built a life centered on serving the Saluki community.

Each summer, they host Detroit-area Saluki alumni at their waterfront home, turning what began as a casual gathering into an annual tradition. Students visiting Michigan through the Automotive Technology program stop by as well, giving the Halls an opportunity to introduce them to alumni, share career advice and show the strength of the Saluki network.

Planting the seed of giving

Those relationships inspired the couple to deepen their support.

“Being a part of the advisory board and seeing the scholarships and the need, that really got us thinking,” Dale said.

Matching gift programs through both General Motors and AT&T helped the Halls establish the endowed Mossie Oak Scholarship to support future Automotive Technology students.

Since the scholarship was first awarded in fall 2009, it has supported 17 Automotive Technology students with a total of $25,900 in scholarships. The average award has been more than $1,500, helping students stay on the path to graduation and careers in the automotive industry.

When it came time to name the scholarship, Colleen surprised Dale with an unexpected suggestion.

“Dale was asking, ‘What do you want to name it ?'” she recalled. “I said, ‘You know what? Let’s name it after our dog.'”

Their beloved chocolate Labrador, Mossie Oak, had become a familiar face at Detroit-area Saluki picnics and alumni gatherings. Wearing a maroon Saluki bandana, she greeted guests, posed for photos and earned a reputation as the unofficial mascot of the community. Today, the Mossie Oak Scholarship honors her memory while supporting future Automotive Technology students.

For the Halls, one of the most meaningful parts of giving back is hearing directly from the students whose lives have been changed.

“Those letters are pretty special,” Hall said. “You get to see what it means to those students.”

One recipient, Daniel Dragowski, wrote that the scholarship allowed him to remain active in Automotive Ambassadors and the Automotive Technology Organization while continuing his education.

“This scholarship will go a very long way in helping me pay for tuition and continue attending SIU,” Dragowski wrote.

He later shared another milestone with the Halls, writing that the education and opportunities he received at SIU helped him accept a full-time position with Boost Auto after graduation.

“Once I am in a position to do so, I plan to come back and contribute to SIU Automotive Technology by hopefully becoming a member of the SIU Automotive Advisory Board.”

For Dale, Daniel’s story represents exactly what he hoped the scholarship would accomplish: helping students build successful careers and inspiring them to one day give back to the program that shaped them.

The letters also remind him of his own experience at SIU. As a student, Hall received a scholarship from Fel-Pro Corp., support he still remembers more than 40 years later.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that getting that scholarship probably had some influence on us endowing the Mossie Oak Scholarship,” he said.

A legacy for future Salukis

The Halls’ generosity has inspired others as well. Fellow Automotive Technology alumni have established scholarships of their own, creating new opportunities for future Salukis and strengthening a culture of philanthropy within the program.

Their commitment extends well beyond their lifetime.

Through their estate plans, Dale and Colleen have designated a $100,000 gift to benefit SIU’s Automotive Technology program, ensuring students will continue to receive the same life-changing opportunities that shaped Dale’s career. They quietly made the commitment before sharing it with fellow advisory board members, hoping their example would inspire others to leave a legacy of their own.

For Dale, that’s what giving back is all about.

“I think it just plants the seed of continuous giving,” he said. “Hopefully some of those students will do the same thing as they get out and have successful careers and can afford to do so. They’ll remember somebody helped them, and they’ll help somebody else.”

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is one of only 21 universities nationwide to hold both Carnegie Research 1 (R1) and Opportunity University designations, reflecting its excellence in research and its commitment to expanding access and student success.

The Halls’ commitment to future Automotive Technology students reflects the mission of the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. The campaign has surpassed the $500 million goal 20 months ahead of schedule. The fifth-largest fundraising campaign in Illinois higher education history continues through June 30, 2028.

During the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $6.9 million in scholarships to more than 2,200 students, benefiting nearly 19% of the student body. Through their scholarship, mentorship and planned estate gift, Dale and Colleen Hall are helping ensure future Salukis have the same opportunities that transformed Dale’s life and career.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale has named Dr. Qingfeng Ge the inaugural Gower Distinguished Director of the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences, establishing the first named directorship in the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences.

Announced during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Gower Fellows Program Annual Symposium in September, the appointment recognizes the longstanding generosity of Dr. Bob and Beth Gower to SIU Chemistry while providing additional resources to advance faculty research, student opportunities and academic excellence.

“We are grateful for Bob and Beth Gower’s foresight and believe it is fitting that Qingfeng is the college’s first named school director,” said Kristina Boone, dean of the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences. “We hope this appointment paves the way for future named directorships and professorships.”

Ge, who has led the school since its reorganization in 2021, reflected on the significance of the appointment.

“I consider this appointment both an honor and a responsibility to carry forward the Gower family’s legacy, advance research and support the success of our faculty and students,” Ge said.

A lasting investment in SIU chemistry

Bob Gower, a West Frankfort native, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from SIU in 1958 and 1960, respectively. Mary Beth Gower graduated from SIU in 1961. Bob went on to serve as president, CEO and chairman of Lyondell Petrochemical Co. and later co-founded Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc. with Nobel laureate Richard Smalley. He also founded Ensysce Biosciences Inc. in 2008.

The Gower family’s commitment to SIU spans more than four decades, beginning with its first recorded gift in 1982 and first endowment in 1989. Since then, the family has invested in scholarships, research fellowships, laboratory improvements and academic programs, including the Gower Research Fellowship, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in September.

In 2024, the Gowers committed $2.5 million to advance research across campus. SIU renamed the McLafferty Annex the Gower Translational Research Center in recognition of their generosity. The center supports collaborative research and connects scientific discovery with real-world applications.

The directorship builds on that legacy by providing flexible funding to support the school’s evolving needs.

“This endowment provides the director with greater opportunities to support faculty success in research, teaching and professional development,” Ge said.

Ge plans to use the resources to strengthen faculty recruitment, provide research startup support and expand student opportunities. The school’s goals include growing its graduate student population to approximately 50, supporting about 15 research-active faculty members and increasing undergraduate enrollment.

“Investing in human potential creates a lasting impact that extends far beyond what we can see immediately,” Ge said.

The family’s philanthropy has also addressed critical needs. The Gowers contributed $75,000 toward organic chemistry teaching laboratory improvements, bringing the total to $150,000 with university matching funds. During Illinois’ state budget impasse, they provided financial assistance to help the chemistry department maintain operations.

Ge explained the family’s commitment extends beyond financial support.

“They give their time and take a personal interest in our students and faculty,” Ge said. “They return every year for the symposium to meet the students personally, hear the fellows present their research and see firsthand what their support has made possible. Those personal connections have had a lasting impact on our students.”

The Gowers’ continued involvement, including their participation in the fellowship’s 20th anniversary celebration in September, has strengthened their relationship with SIU faculty and students, including Ge.

Building on a career of scientific discovery

Ge joined SIU in 2003 after completing his education in chemical engineering in China and holding research appointments at the University of Copenhagen, the University of Cambridge and the University of Virginia. He became a full professor in 2010 and assumed a departmental leadership role in 2019 before becoming director of the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences following its reorganization in 2021.

His research focuses on computational chemistry, catalysis and sustainable energy, including hydrogen storage and converting greenhouse gases into useful chemical products, and has been funded by DOE, NSF and other sources. His team’s prediction that indium oxide could effectively catalyze the conversion of carbon dioxide into methanol was later confirmed experimentally by Javier Pérez-Ramírez’s group in Switzerland. Ge was recognized by SIU’s Scholar Excellence Award and the American Chemical Society’s Midwest Award in 2018 for his research achievements.

Ge’s relationship with the Gower family began through his DOE-funded hydrogen storage research, which connected him with Bob Gower, who facilitated Nobel laureate Richard Smalley’s visit to SIU in 2005. Ge has since helped organize the annual Gower Fellows symposium, witnessing firsthand the family’s impact on students and faculty.

The School of Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences plays an important role in SIU’s Research 1 designation through the quality of its research, funding and scientific contributions. The school also emphasizes undergraduate research opportunities, connecting students with faculty and laboratory experiences early in their academic careers.

The Gowers’ investments support SIU’s commitment to research excellence and educational opportunity. Among approximately 4,000 colleges and universities nationwide, SIU Carbondale is one of only 21 to hold both the Research 1 and Opportunity University designations under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. SIU is also the only institution with both classifications serving a rural region.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale alumnus Jeff Boehler and his wife, Barbara, have committed $150,000 to support first-generation college students, helping them access the resources and guidance needed to earn their degrees.

In recognition of their generosity, SIU will officially name the Boehler Family First Saluki Center during a ceremony Friday, Nov. 6, ahead of National First-Generation College Celebration Day on Nov. 8.

For Boehler, a 1975 SIU graduate and first-generation college student, the gift reflects his own experience navigating higher education without the guidance and resources available to students today.

“We hope to continue growing the center and helping students who face the same challenges I did get a stronger start and ultimately earn their degrees,” Boehler said.

Honoring a father’s dream

Boehler grew up in the Chicago suburbs as the son of immigrants who came to the United States seeking better opportunities. His father, a mechanical engineer, encouraged Jeff to become the first in their family to attend college, taking him to recruitment events and emphasizing the importance of education.

His father died during Jeff’s junior year of high school, but his encouragement stayed with him. Determined to fulfill his father’s dream, Boehler enrolled at SIU in 1970.

“As a first-generation student, it was a sink-or-swim environment,” he said.

Boehler changed majors several times and temporarily left school to earn money before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1975.

“I could have graduated sooner if I had known about the scholarships and other resources available to help me,” Boehler said.

Those experiences shaped his commitment to helping future generations of first-generation students overcome similar challenges.

Approximately 40% of SIU undergraduates are first-generation students, meaning neither parent nor legal guardian has earned a bachelor’s degree. The First Saluki Center connects students with academic assistance, financial literacy education, social and emotional support, campus involvement opportunities and career preparation.

Established in 2019 through a collaboration between the Division of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students, in partnership with Academic Affairs, the center offers peer mentoring to help students adjust to college life and connect with upperclassmen and graduate assistants.

According to the center, 90% of participating students persist each academic semester, 93% maintain a cumulative GPA above 2.0, and all students surveyed would recommend the program to other first-generation students.

Through conversations with Dr. Lanel Love, the assistant dean of students and director of the First Saluki Center, Boehler learned how the center addresses challenges he experienced. One story particularly resonated with him: The center helped a homesick student obtain a train ticket to visit family.

“Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the difference between staying in school and leaving,” Boehler said.

An SIU education that opened doors

Despite the challenges he faced, Boehler credits SIU with preparing him for a successful career in global manufacturing and supply chain leadership.

After graduation, he worked as a truck driver and warehouse supervisor before joining Motorola, where he advanced through several leadership positions overseeing manufacturing operations worldwide.

In 2003, he joined Honeywell, eventually overseeing global supply chain responsibilities involving approximately 35,000 employees across 50 countries before retiring in 2014.

Boehler credits four lessons he learned at SIU with shaping his career: never give up, build relationships, learn how to learn and embrace diversity.

The first was perseverance, which helped him overcome obstacles in college and throughout his professional life.

“That determination, that never giving up attitude, I think has helped me throughout my entire career,” Boehler said.

The second was building relationships. Once a shy student, Boehler developed lifelong friendships at SIU and learned to connect with others, skills that helped him work with colleagues, suppliers and customers around the world.

“Being able to build those relationships helped me be successful in my career,” he said. “And it started at SIU.”

Third, SIU taught him how to learn, analyze information and adapt, particularly important in the rapidly changing technology industry.

“You have to continue that learning process throughout your entire career,” he said.

Finally, Boehler learned to appreciate diversity. Coming from the Chicago suburbs, he encountered students from urban, suburban and rural backgrounds, broadening his perspective and preparing him to work with people across 50 countries and six continents.

“Being able to embrace different cultures and recognize what brings us together and makes us better together was incredibly valuable to me,” he said.

Giving back to future generations

Jeff and Barbara, who met while working at Motorola, have supported SIU for decades through charitable contributions and scholarships for first-generation students.

Their involvement expanded after connecting with university representatives during Saluki Takeover Tour events in Florida, leading them to establish scholarship support through their family foundation.

“I hate to see lack of money be a reason why students can’t pursue their dream to get a college degree,” Boehler said.

Letters from scholarship recipients have reinforced the impact of their generosity, particularly when students share how the assistance helped them remain enrolled.

“It’s heartening to hear how those scholarships have helped students stay in school,” he said.

After learning more about the First Saluki Center and meeting with Love, Boehler saw an opportunity to expand their support beyond scholarships.

“We’ve been very fortunate in our lives,” Boehler said. “We’ve been very lucky with our career opportunities, with our family, and we both want to and know that we need to give back.”

Their children and one of their grandchildren plan to join Jeff for the Nov. 6 naming ceremony, celebrating the family’s commitment to helping first-generation students succeed.

The gift also reflects SIU’s commitment to educational access and student success. SIU is among just 21 universities nationwide to hold dual Carnegie classifications as a Research 1 institution and an Opportunity University.

The Boehler family’s commitment adds to the momentum of the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which recently surpassed its $500 million goal 20 months ahead of schedule. The campaign is one of the largest fundraising efforts in Illinois public university history.

During the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded a record $6.9 million in scholarships to more than 2,200 students, benefiting nearly 19% of the student body.

To learn more about supporting the First Saluki Center, visit https://salukicenter.siu.edu/giving/index.php.