Category Archives: SIU

Crowdfunding, SIU

SIU Press: Your gifts support scholarly, creative, local authors

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Giving levels include recognition online, in print

By Jeff Wilson

Southern Illinois University Press is the nonprofit book-publishing unit of Southern Illinois University. Unlike a commercial publisher, which focuses on publishing for popular audiences, we have a mission to publish works of serious scholarly, intellectual, or creative merit. Our books are vetted by peer reviewers and must receive approval from an editorial board before publication.

SIU Press published its first book in 1956 and has issued nearly 3,000 books since then, with about 1,400 books currently in print. Over the years, the Press has made substantial contributions to a wide range of subject areas and has become especially well-known for its publications in Civil War studies, Lincoln studies, theatre, poetry, and rhetoric & composition. In addition, SIU Press publishes books that celebrate and document the history and culture of Southern Illinois, the state, and the Midwest.

Supporting local authors

The first book featured in this series is “Southern Illinois Fishing: A Comprehensive Guide for Anglers” by Colby Simms.

Southern Illinois’s many waterways teem with an incredible variety of fish species, and as an award-winning fisherman and journalist, Simms knows exactly where and how to catch them all.

“I always thought about writing a book about fishing in Southern Illinois,” he said. “It was something if thought would be important to the region and to teach people about the oppotunities here and how to maximize them.”

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THIS BOOK

Colby Simms BookWithin these pages, he shares the secrets he’s gleaned from years of hard-won experience. He conferred with fellow fishing pros as well as biologists, outdoor sports media figures, and other experts to bring you the most current, site-specific information possible. From fishing fundamentals to the most advanced, cutting-edge techniques, Simms presents a battle plan for attacking the waters, big and small, of the lower Prairie State, which will benefit all anglers—from beginners to seasoned tournament competitors.

“A university press like SIU makes you feel more comfortable and gives you a lot more opportunities than you have out in the rest of the publishing world,” Simss said. “It’s a great place for new book authors to get started.”

Nestled between the information and instructions, you’ll find stories from Simms and other professional anglers, state fisheries staff, recreational fishers, and more. You’ll find encouragement and motivation to put away life’s modern distractions and get back to nature. Southern Illinois Fishing brims with enthusiasm, humor, and heart, and is sure to educate and inspire readers to lose themselves in the ancient tradition and modern sport of fishing.

Gift Acknowledgement

We will gladly acknowledge your generous donation in the following ways:

  • Gifts of $100 or more will be acknowledged on the book’s webpage on the SIU Press website.
  • Gifts of $500 or more will also be acknowledged in print on the book’s copyright or acknowledgement page. The first printing of this book is already in the warehouse, so this acknowledgement will appear in the next and all subsequent printings.
  • Gifts of $1000 or more will also be acknowledged as a sponsor in social media postings and other promotions.
  • Gifts of $5000 or more will be acknowledged at a special book promotion event and reading and the donor will be invited as a special guest of honor. We will work with the donor to schedule the event at a time convenient to them.

Your support of this title will ensure that this book reaches the widest possible audience and inspires future generations to enjoy the beautiful waterways of Southern Illinois.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A GIFT TO SUPPORT THE SIU PRESS

SIU Press Books

Book sales cover some of the production costs for each title published, but donations make it possible to keep prices affordable for scholars, students, and the general public. Donations also ensure that the books feature quality production elements such as color photos when needed and beautiful interior and cover designs, and they help us to effectively promote each title. Your donation to a specific title will be used to produce, promote, distribute, or reprint the book as necessary.

If you would rather make a gift to support new publications in an entire subject area or series, please contact Amy Etcheson (aetcheson@siu.edu; 618-453-6623) to discuss options.

“For nearly 70 years, SIU Press has supported SIU’s research mission by making a strong contribution to academic scholarship, providing educational opportunities for students, and disseminating information about our region. Your support will help us continue that tradition,” Etcheson said.

Donor Stories, Higher Education, SIU

Nissan donates nine electric vehicles to SIU School of Automotive

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Gift facilitated by alumnus Lee Raines

By Jeff Wilson

Incredible corporate partnerships play a vital role in the success of Southern Illinois University students, particularly in the School of Automotive.

“You have a program that students don’t just graduate from, they actually come back and give to the program,” Chancellor Austin Lane said. “Our alumni are out across the country. It really helps when those alumni stay connected because our students can connect and network and get jobs.”

This fall, the school received a donation of nine electric vehicles from Nissan, a gift facilitated by SIU alumnus and Nissan executive Lee Raines.

“Nissan is one of the early adopters for electric vehicles, and our partnership with them has been very strong for decades,” said Andrew Croxell, director of the School of Automotive. “They’ve been extremely generous to us.”

The donation consists of nine new Nissan Leafs for students to work on in the Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center.

“From a pure training standpoint, to have nine examples of anything is really valuable to us,” Croxell said. “Lee Raines at Nissan has been a huge supporter for a number of years. He was instrumental in sourcing these donation vehicles as well as several other components and vehicles over the years.”

Raines, a 1986 alumnus of the school, is the senior manager of aftersales operations for Nissan North America, Inc.

“One of the exciting things that happens from time to time … is the opportunity to provide vehicles to the school so the technicians can learn the latest technology,” he said. “It will allow the technicians to learn about electric motors, transducers, final drive units, along with batteries and battery management systems.”

Beyond his work through Nissan, Raines and his wife, Renee, have established the Lee and Renee Raines Automotive Scholarship.

“Giving back to the university … helps those who really want to succeed,” he said.

To learn more about how you can support SIU programs and students, visit siuf.org.

Donor Stories, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Saluki Athletics, SIU

Hayes donates $1M to Saluki Athletics

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Jim Hayes Stadium Club to be named in honor of historic gift

Jamie Hayes stands in front of the Jim Hayes, Inc. car dealership in Harrisburg, Illinois.
Jamie Hayes, owner of Jim Hayes, Inc., and his wife, Netta, are donating $1 million to Saluki Athletics.

By Jeff Wilson

With a $1 million gift, Jamie and Netta Hayes further strengthen their family’s ties to Saluki Athletics.

The Hayes family has been a fixture around SIU since Jamie’s father, Jim, first came to Southern in 1961 on a football scholarship.

In honor of this historic gift, SIU Director of Athletics Tim Leonard has announced the naming of the Jim Hayes Stadium Club inside Saluki Stadium. Some of the funds from this gift will be used to revitalize the space.

“For Jamie and Netta to step up in this way says a ton about them and where we are headed,” Leonard said. “They see the vision. They see the passion. They know how valuable Saluki Athletics is to SIU and all of Southern Illinois. This is massively important for us, and I want to thank them on behalf of Saluki Nation.”

One of the premier locations on campus, the Jim Hayes Stadium Club will continue to be utilized by members of the entire campus community for important events and major announcements.

“For my dad’s name to be further etched into Saluki history this way is incredible,” Jamie Hayes said. “We wanted to make a statement about how we feel about SIU and what the Salukis mean to us and this community. We wouldn’t be able to do this if it weren’t for him. I think he would be proud.”

Jim Hayes headshot
Jim Hayes first came to SIU in 1961 on a football scholarship.

The Hayes Legacy

After graduating from SIU with a degree in education in 1962, Jim Hayes moved to Macomb, where he taught, coached football and married his wife, Bette, in 1966. After taking up car sales as a part-time job, he found a knack for the profession and moved his family to Harrisburg in 1976, founding the Jim Hayes, Inc., car dealership.

“My dad played linebacker at SIU. He had a great nickname, ‘The Axe,’” Jamie Hayes said. “From there, it was just always following the Salukis. He had a lot of great loves. He loved his family, the business, his employees, customers, and he loved SIU.”

Raising his family and growing his business in Southern Illinois, Jim Hayes made a point to support SIU through Saluki Athletics. Jim Hayes passed away in 2018, leaving an incredible legacy at Southern. The dealership is now owned and operated by Jamie Hayes.

“I grew up going with my dad to basketball games. SIU has a history of great coaches and great teams,” he said. “The time spent with my dad was always good. I have great memories of these programs.”

Jamie Hayes graduated from SIU in 1994 with a degree in speech communication from the College of Liberal Arts. He has long supported Saluki Athletics, including partnerships and charitable giving through his business, and been a fixture at SIU events for decades.

He recently joined the Big Dawg Leadership Society, which recognizes donors who give annually to Saluki Athletics.

“The success of SIU can do nothing but help the region,” he said. “Now, more than ever, it’s time to step it up a little bit more. You’re going to need more community involvement. You have to bleed maroon no matter what.”

Higher Education, SIU

Chambers joins SIU Foundation fundraising team

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Dylan Chambers
Dylan Chambers

Dylan Chambers joined the SIU Foundation as the assistant director of annual giving in December 2024.

In this role, Chambers will help develop and implement fundraising strategies to grow donor participation and contributions. He will assist in building relationships with donors through gift acknowledgments and stewardship events. He is also heavily involved in tracking naming opportunities on campus, highlighting significant giving opportunities at SIU.

Before stepping into his current role, Chambers interned with the SIU Foundation, contributing to development initiatives and refining donor engagement tools. As a student at Southern, he raised over $100,000 for the SIU Dawg Pound, the official student section for Saluki Athletics, which he also led. He served as vice president of student affairs for the Undergraduate Student Government, advocating for students and enhancing campus life.

In 2021, Chambers was elected to the Metropolis City Council, becoming the youngest alderman in the city’s history. During his term, he served on the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Small Business & Industrial Park Committee, working to improve community resources and support local economic development.

Chambers earned a Bachelor of Science in sports administration with a minor in coaching from SIU in May 2024. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, especially his nephew, Kendrick, and cheering on Saluki Athletics.

Higher Education, Philanthropic Women, SIU

Honoring Tammera Holmes by inspiring the next generation

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Make a gift here in memory of a visionary Saluki aviator

Tammera Holmes, a visionary leader and passionate advocate for female leadership and aviation, passed away on Dec. 1, 2024, leaving an enduring legacy.

Graduating from SIU’s Aviation Management program in 2000, she broke barriers and inspired countless young people to pursue their dreams in the aviation industry. She was the founder and CEO of Aerostar Avion Institute, an afterschool academic program established in 2008 to create awareness of aviation and aeronautical career opportunities among women, minorities and at-risk students.

“I grew up in a very impoverished household, a crime-ridden community just outside of the west side of Chicago. Survival just became a way of life. There were times when there wasn’t enough food to eat, and my safe haven was school,” Holmes said in a 2022 interview with the SIU Alumni Association.

Her mother knew she had to keep Tammera busy to keep her focused.

“She was looking for things for me to do. One Saturday morning she sent me out to go on a Young Eagles flight with the Chicago Tuskegee Airmen’s chapter,” Holmes said. “We were flying over Lake Michigan on the most beautiful day, and I knew that day that aviation had not just changed my life, but probably saved my life. I went on to pursue a degree in aviation at Southern Illinois University.”

After starting her career as an airport planner and consultant, she quickly realized there was no clear pathway for a woman to become a leader within her company

“I have dedicated my career to aviation and aerospace education and created access and opportunity for young people who look like me and come from where I come from … to really show them there is a path to the top for them,” Holmes said.

Beyond aviation, she sought to bridge the gap for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“Being able to inspire young women to be not just a part of the future of this country, but a future of the leadership that’s going to lead American into the next generation of innovation, especially in STEM,” Holmes said. “I want to encourage young women to raise their hand and really step up and take charge of their future to volunteer for more opportunities to lead and to command the stage.

“My advice to women around the world is to show up authentically as yourself. So many times, I was told I was too loud. I was too aggressive. I was too demanding. But those are the exact same characteristics that men have when they show up to work, and they are rewarded for it. So don’t shrink back. Don’t just have a seat at the table, have ownership of the table. One of the things I love about aviation is that airplanes are not designed to go in reverse. The thrust is always moving you forward. As long as everything is in balance and you have the right power and the mechanisms to implement power, just keep pressing forward.”

Tammera Holmes School of Aviation DEI Faculty Endowment

To honor Tammera’s memory and continue her mission, the SIU Foundation has established the Tammera Holmes School of Aviation DEI Faculty Endowment.

This fund will support faculty diversity initiatives within the School of Aviation to help ensure that the educational environment reflects the diversity of the workforce and student body. The goal is to raise $100,000 to establish this faculty fellowship to create a legacy at SIU that reflects Tammera’s accomplishments in the industry.

This endowment will give the School of Aviation the opportunity to contribute to curriculum design, research priorities and mentorship strategies that foster an inclusive environment for our students, faculty and staff. The faculty fellow would be able to utilize funds to enhance DEI efforts in the School of Aviation or the aviation industry. The Tammera Holmes School of Aviation DEI Faculty Fellow would be available to a faculty member on a five-year term limit.

Join us in honoring Tammera’s legacy and shaping the future of aviation. Make a gift at siuf.org/tammera.

Tammera Holmes

Donor Stories, Higher Education, SIU

SIU names Gower Translational Research Center in honor of $2.5 million gift

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By Jeff Wilson

CARBONDALE – The impact made by Dr. Bob and Beth Gower has been felt by Southern Illinois University Carbondale students and faculty for years. Now, the Gower name will be forever imprinted into the university’s future at the Gower Translational Research Center.

The Gowers have been generous donors to Southern for many years. Most recently, they dedicated $2.5 million to advance the mission and support the research activities taking place across campus.

Bob and Beth Gower
Bob and Beth Gower have donated $2.5 million in support of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s research activities.

In honor of this transformational gift, the SIU Board of Trustees voted Thursday, Dec. 5, that the McLafferty Annex be named the Gower Translational Research Center.

“The Gower family story is an incredible one, and it all began at Southern, so it is appropriate that we honor their legacy with this naming,” Chancellor Austin Lane said. “We are so thankful for everything they have done for this university.”

Bob Gower, a West Frankfort native, graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry in 1958 and 1960, respectively. He met his wife, Beth, while both were studying at SIU. She graduated in 1961. Dr. Gower earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He is the founder and executive chairman of Ensysce Biosciences, a biotech company that develops tamper-proof and abuse-resistant prescription drugs.

Before their latest gift, the Gowers established the Bob G. & Mary Beth Gower Scholarship Endowment in SIU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, which has benefited more than 50 students. They also established the Beth & Bob Gower Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences.

Dr. Gower is a two-time recipient of the SIUC Alumni Achievement Award from the College of Science (1988, 2008). He is a Distinguished Alumnus of the college and was inducted into the Chemistry & Biochemistry Hall of Fame in 1997. He served as a member of the steering committee for the university’s Opportunity Through Excellence campaign and as a member of the Chemistry & Biochemistry Advisory Committee. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the university in 2018. The Gowers, who reside in Houston, have three adult daughters and several grandchildren.

Their $2.5 million gift is yet another major step in the SIU Foundation’s Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. With a goal of raising $500 million by July 2028, the campaign currently sits at more than $361 million. It is the fifth largest such campaign in the history of public universities in Illinois.

“We could not have this kind of success without the support of alumni like Bob and Beth Gower,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “This is a spectacular moment in the history of our great university, and this momentum is going to carry us into an even brighter future.”

Gower Translational Research Center
Formerly McLafferty Annex, the Gower Translational Research Center is located at 1785 University Press Drive.

The Gower Translational Research Center, located at 1785 University Press Drive, is a hub of high-level research. In October 2024, SIU dedicated a $7.2 million BioLaunch lab in the center. The 10,000-square-foot space is dedicated to life sciences research and more.

Funded in part by a $2.7 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Wet Lab Program, BioLaunch is the newest addition to the Illinois Food, Entrepreneurship, Research, and Manufacturing (iFERM) Hub, a state-of-the-art research and training suite for faculty use, students, start-up companies and private firms in the region. iFERM capitalizes on the university’s research and innovation into food, fermentation and biotechnology. In 2021, the SIU Foundation provided a $1.1 million grant to advance the progress on the Fermentation Science Institute, which is inside the center.

“BioLaunch and other components of the iFERM Hub will help us solve challenges in food, agriculture, energy and health through research, innovation and education,” Dr. Costas Tsatsoulis, vice chancellor of research at SIU, said during the BioLaunch ribbon cutting. “And it will provide infrastructure for the development of Illinois agriculture value-added products to promote and support successful entrepreneurial activities.”

The center is also home to the Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, and an ultra-fast laser facility, further enhancing its role as a center for diverse research initiatives.

Events & Engagement, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

SIU Foundation connects students with engineering industry leader, Horner & Shifrin

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Two SIU alumni and engineering industry leaders from Horner & Shifrin met with more than 40 students from the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology and Mathematics on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The event, which was hosted by the SIU Foundation Corporate Engagement unit and COECTM, brought Brian Ziegler ’95 and Lucas Roney ’19 to campus. Ziegler is the associate vice president and regional manager for Horner & Shifrin, and Roney is a civil engineer for the firm. The duo shared valuable insights into their careers and the impact of their SIU education.

Ziegler and Roney reminisced with Dr. Prabir Kolay, director of the School of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering, as they toured classrooms and labs.

This was a unique opportunity for students to network with industry professionals and discuss career paths and learn about the diverse services offered by Horner & Shifrin.

“I want to give special thanks to Horner & Shifrin for visiting SIU and fostering student engagement. We look forward to future collaborations,” said Shane Bennett, senior director of corporate and foundation relations.

Connect with our team

Are you interested in connecting with SIU students, showcasing your company and career opportunities, and fostering a strong partnership with SIU?

Contact the SIU Foundation Corporate Engagement team by emailing Sherrica Hunt at sherricah@foundation.siu.edu or Shane Bennett at shaneb@foundation.siu.edu.

Events & Engagement, Higher Education, SIU

Paul Simon Public Policy Institute lobby named after John and Nancy Jackson

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By Jeff Wilson

CARBONDALE – John and Nancy Jackson’s names are synonymous with education and service around Southern Illinois University and the city of Carbondale. On Thursday, Nov. 7, they were honored with the naming of the John and Nancy Jackson Lobby at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

“SIU and Carbondale have been good to me and my family for over five decades,” John Jackson said. “This is especially gratifying because it connects us in a very tangible way to Paul and Jeanne Simon. I’m proud to be associated with those two. He and Jeanne were two of the very finest people and public servants I have ever known.”

John Jackson speaks
Dr. John Jackson speaks Thursday, Nov. 7, during the naming lobby naming ceremony at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

John and Nancy Jackson have shown unwavering dedication to the university and the Carbondale community for more than 50 years. In 2002, the couple was named Carbondale Citizens of the Year.

“This is a big occasion and long overdue,” said Chancellor Austin Lane. “When John and Nancy’s names came up, it was clear this is something we had to make happen.”

Dr. John Jackson first came to Southern in 1969 as a lecturer. He has served the university in many capacities, including interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and associate dean and acting dean of the graduate school. He also served as visiting professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and edited “Southern Illinois at 150 Years: Growth, Accomplishments, and Challenges,” which details the history of the region and university.

“The institute clearly wouldn’t have happened without Paul Simon … but there is, in my opinion, unquestionably one key person that was involved on the front and the backend and the middle and to this day, and that’s John Jackson,” said Brad Cole, CEO of the Illinois Municipal League and former Carbondale mayor.

Nancy Jackson earned her master’s degree in elementary education from Southern in 1982. She taught for many years in the Carbondale Public School system, focusing largely on reading. She spearheaded the “Book in Every Home” program on the SIU Carbondale campus, which collects books to provide to local children. Through the program, tens of thousands of books have been donated.

John Jackson speaks to crowd
A large crowd gathered Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute as Dr. John and Nancy Jackson were honored.

“As I was thinking about Dr. Jackson and Nancy and why we are doing this today, one word came to mind and it’s ‘service,’” said SIU System President Dan Mahony. “When we name something after someone, we hope to inspire others.”

The Jacksons and others have combined to contribute more than $50,000 to endow the John S. and Nancy Jackson Scholarship Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships to political science students in the College of Liberal Arts. To donate to that fund in honor of the Jacksons, visit siuf.org/give and search for “John S. and Nancy Jackson Scholarship” in the designation menu.

“John and Nancy, thank you for what you have done in the past and what you continue to do,” said Phil Gilbert, chair of the SIU Board of Trustees. “This university is a better place because of your contribution here.”

John and Nancy Jackson
Dr. John and Nancy Jackson were honored Thursday, Nov. 7, with the naming of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute lobby.
Donor Stories, Saluki Athletics, SIU

Gazdeck pledges $100,000, a gift 52 years in the making

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Elaine Gazdeck
Elaine Gazdeck stopped by the Paul & Virginia fountain outside of Davies Gym during her trip to campus.

By Jeff Wilson

CARBONDALE – After visiting the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus for the first time in 52 years, Elaine Gazdeck was inspired to make a transformative impact on women’s sports.

The 1972 graduate pledged a $100,000 planned gift to establish the Elaine Gazdeck Women’s Sports Empowerment Scholarship Endowment Fund, which will benefit women’s basketball and women’s golf.

“I want young women who choose to go to SIU to have the means to do that,” she said. “It’s helping somebody have an opportunity to see what their potential is academically and athletically.”

Elaine Gazdeck
Elaine Gazdeck poses in front of Bowyer Hall.

Gazdeck is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma, commonly called Tri Sigma, and she has periodically gathered with her sorority sisters.

“We have always said ‘Let’s go back,’ but for one reason or another, it didn’t happen,” she said. “Then we met in October in Quincy, and I was able to come down for a visit.”

Kat Martin, director of development for Saluki Athletics, set up a full schedule for Gazdeck during her short trip to Carbondale.

“She had a great itinerary. We had lunch, went to basketball practice and met with coaches and team members. I had a great talk with (Women’s Basketball) Coach Kelly Bond-White,” she said. “I had dinner with (Women’s Golf) Coach Rory Weinfurther, went to a softball game, volleyball match, and the football game. I had breakfast with (Athletic Director) Tim Leonard and Kat. It was clear that Tim really cares about women’s sports.”

Kat Martin and Elaine Gazdeck
Kat Martin, director of development for Saluki Athletics, and Elaine Gazdeck visit the King Tut memorial outside of Saluki Stadium.

Gazdeck played sports in high school and started golfing at an early age with her father.

“When I was young, my father got me golf lessons. He was off work on Wednesdays and had no one to golf with, so he asked me ‘Wanna golf?’ So, I went with him on Wednesdays,” she said.

Coming full circle

Growing up in a suburb outside of Cleveland, Ohio, Gazdeck wanted to attend college out of state, but her parents didn’t want her to stray far. She wanted to major in botany and narrowed her focus to three universities – Miami of Ohio, Oregon State, and SIU.

“Oregon was too far, so the summer before my senior year of high school, my father rented a camper and we camped at Crab Orchard Lake,” she said. “We got to see campus, and my parents liked it. Tuition was a little less expensive than at Miami of Ohio, so we decided to give it a try. I received a scholarship for the first year, which helped.”

After studying botany for three years, she changed her major to recreation and graduated from what is now the College of Health and Human Sciences. She moved to Chicago and took a job with a pharmaceutical company, working to help its veterinary division understand and meet new drug regulations. After about 10 years, she switched to human pharmaceutical development. She worked in Kansas City, San Francisco, and then took a “gap year” and traveled across the U.S. and Canada. She settled in Colorado in 1988, continuing a career in pharmaceutical development helping start-up companies navigate the regulatory pathway in drug development.

“I had a great career. I worked during the time that pharmaceutical development embraced new technologies to help people. It was good times,” she said.

Outside of work, she has lived an active lifestyle, continuing to golf, travel, ski and kayak. She also became involved with sled dog racing, working with a team in the 2008 Iditarod.

“In sports, you learn how to work as a team. A lot of life skills come from it,” she said. “I want to give young women opportunities to develop these valuable skills.”

Elaine Gazdeck
Elaine Gazdeck visited SIU’s campus for the first time in over 50 years in October 2024.

During her visit to Southern, Gazdeck also made a trip to the spot where her Saluki journey started.

“I drove out to Crab Orchard. I wanted to see where it all began. I sat by the lake. It was pretty nostalgic,” she said. “I had such a good experience at SIU and made lifelong friends. With this being a planned gift, I won’t be here to see it manifest, but that’s OK. I just want women to succeed.”

To learn more about planned giving, visit siufgiving.org.

Events & Engagement, Higher Education, SIU

John and Nancy Jackson to be honored with lobby naming

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Nancy and John Jackson
Nancy and John Jackson

CARBONDALE – John and Nancy Jackson’s names are synonymous with education and service around Southern Illinois University and the city of Carbondale. Those names will soon be honored at the John and Nancy Jackson Lobby at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

At 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at the institute, located at 1231 Lincoln Drive on Southern’s campus, the public is invited to join the naming celebration. After a few remarks, a reception will follow with light refreshments.

John and Nancy Jackson have shown unwavering dedication to the university and the Carbondale community for more than 50 years. In 2002, the couple was named Carbondale Citizens of the Year.

“We are so proud to honor John and Nancy Jackson in this space that meant so much to them at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute,” said Chancellor Austin Lane. “It’s vitally important that we take time to recognize the contributions of time, talent and treasure that both John and Nancy have shared with the university and the Carbondale community.”

Dr. John Jackson first came to Southern in 1969 as a lecturer. He has served the university in many capacities, including interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and associate dean and acting dean of the graduate school. He also served as visiting professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and edited “Southern Illinois at 150 Years: Growth, Accomplishments, and Challenges,” which details the history of the region and university.

Nancy Jackson earned her master’s degree in elementary education from Southern in 1982. She taught for many years in the Carbondale Public School system, focusing largely on reading. She spearheaded the “Book in Every Home” program on the SIU Carbondale campus, which collects books to provide to local children. Through the program, tens of thousands of books have been donated.

The Jacksons and others have combined to contribute more than $50,000 to endow the John S. and Nancy Jackson Scholarship Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships to political science students in the College of Liberal Arts. To donate to that fund in honor of the Jacksons, visit siuf.org/give and search for “John S. and Nancy Jackson Scholarship” in the designation menu.