The SIU Foundation is ecstatic to announce the expansion of its fundraising team.

Coming off a historic Fiscal Year 2024 in which it raised $46.8 million and in the middle of the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, the SIU Foundation is building on this incredible momentum.

The following individuals began their new roles on July 1, 2024:

• Jen Badiu, assistant director of development for the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics
• Brian Flath, director of development for Student Affairs
• Carol Greenlee, director of development for the School of Education
• Brittney Morrison, assistant director of development for the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences
• Michelle Snyder, assistant director of development for the College of Arts and Media

“Our staff has been doing amazing things, and these five individuals are going to help push our fundraising efforts even further,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “The SIU Foundation Board of Directors has invested in our team, and adding to our tremendous team of fundraisers allows us to expand our role as an accelerator for the university.”

Badiu previously served as an academic advisor in SIU’s College of Health and Human Sciences. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University, and has started working toward her doctoral degree at SIU. In 2005, she became the system director for Southern Illinois Healthcare, overseeing the growth and development of the region’s first comprehensive freestanding cancer center, Breast Centers, and established the Office of Clinical Research. Jen was instrumental in the initiation of fundraising efforts, including Pink Out Cancer, Black Out Cancer, SIU Coach Kill Cancer Fund, and SIH Grateful Patient & Family Giving Fund.

Flath comes to the Foundation after nearly nine years in the Corporate Support Department at WSIU Public Broadcasting. He also previously worked for Lee Enterprises as an advertising sales representative, at both The Southern Illinoisan and Herald & Review newspapers. He received his bachelor’s degree from SIU journalism with a specialization in advertising. He is involved in several community organizations, including the Carterville Area Rotary Club, several local chambers of commerce, the Knights of Columbus Council #10453, and The Night’s Shield in West Frankfort.

Greenlee had been the associate director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for two years, contributing significantly to the implementation of key initiatives and managing distinguished campus visits.  She chairs the SIU Head Start Government Board and serves on the SIU Credit Union Board of Directors. She holds two degrees from SIU Carbondale, a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Science in Education. In 2023, she was selected for the Edgar Fellows program, a statewide leadership initiative.

Morrison was previously the assistant director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU, where she was responsible for developing and planning complex events. Before that, she was the admissions and events coordinator for SIU Undergraduate Admissions. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance, specializing in financial management and is pursuing her master’s degree in education with a major in organizational learning, innovation, and development, both from SIU.

Snyder has worked in various capacities at SIU, initially in the Office of University Risk Management, and later returning to pursue her master’s degree. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SIU Carbondale, specializing in workforce education and development and public health, respectively. Before her current role, she served as program director at the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, overseeing initiatives such as the NonProfit Network, GiveSI, and the Southern Illinois Leadership Institute.

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

The inaugural SIU Chicagoland DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Engagement, held on July 13, was a resounding success, with over 100 Salukis coming together to support scholarships for the SIU Office of Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) and to foster a stronger sense of community. The event raised over $10,000 through the generous support of attendees and sponsors.

In attendance were:

• Dr. Paul Frazier: SIU Vice Chancellor of Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Tania Wittgenfeld: SIU Assistant Vice Chancellor of External Relations – Enrollment Management
• Sherrica Hunt: Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development/Alumni Relations for the SIU Foundation
• Scott Moller: SIU Alumni Association Board of Directors President and SIU Foundation Board of Directors
• Gary Heflin: SIU Alumni Association Board of Directors
• Barry Batson, Tonnette Williams, Darius Robinson: SIU Foundation Board of Directors
• The Honorable Jason C. Ervin ’96: Alderman for Chicago’s 28th Ward
• Kennard Tucker ’91: SIU Chicagoland DEI Engagement Committee Member

“The success of this event is a testament to the SIU community’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all,” said Dr. Paul Frazier. “The funds raised will go a long way in supporting our students and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of SIU Communications and Marketing, the SIU Office of Enrollment Management, the SIU Foundation, the SIU Alumni Association, and the SIU Black Alumni Group.

A special thanks to its sponsors:

• Sugarland Mortuary
• McDonald’s Black Operators
• Theodore King
• The Staples Family
• Kahnti
• 3 Stars Catering and Events
• Saluki Spirits

About the SIU Chicagoland DEI Engagement:

The SIU Chicagoland DEI Engagement is a new initiative aimed at engaging Salukis in the Chicagoland area while raising funds for scholarships. The event provides an opportunity for networking, celebrating the Saluki spirit, and supporting the next generation of SIU leaders.

By Jeff Wilson

HOLLYWOOD – The Saluki Takeover Tour headed west for a stop in Hollywood on Wednesday, June 19, and Thursday, June 20.

Nearly 100 alumni and friends gathered June 20 at The Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood to celebrate the Saluki spirit during the Chancellor’s Reception.

“I can’t tell you enough how wonderful it is to see each of you doing so well, and we have some heavy hitters here,” said Dr. Austin Lane, chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. “I’ve heard about what you are doing out here. It’s amazing work.”

A highlight of the Saluki Takeover Tour in Hollywood was featuring the revitalized Hollywood Studies program, which will offer internships to SIU students who are seeking firsthand experience with film and television industry companies. During the takeover tour, SIU alumni facilitated tours of both Netflix and Warner Bros.

“The energy our alumni brought to the Hollywood events was incredible,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor of development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “It was wonderful to see so many inspiring Salukis together in one room so far from campus.”

Three SIU alumni have been particularly instrumental in coordinating this initiative, Robert Dennis ’84, Diane Eaton ’80, and Todd Abrams ’90.

“I’m so grateful to each of you for what you have been doing in the industry and for our students, in particular,” said Dr. Hong Cheng, dean of the College of Arts and Media.

Students and faculty from the College of Arts and Media met with industry leaders, including SIU alumni Bob Odenkirk and Mike Dopud, during the takeover tour on June 19.

“Our students are so appreciative of you taking time to tell them how you got from Carbondale to here,” Lane said. “Our students don’t make a four-year decision; they make a 40-year decision. The information they get from you is going to help them 40 years from now.”

Spearheaded by the SIU Foundation, the Saluki Takeover Tour began in 2021 and has expanded its reach every year. During FY24, there have been takeover tours in Chicago, Springfield, Nashville, Florida, St. Louis, Southern Illinois, and now Hollywood. Looking ahead, more stops will be added to the Saluki Takeover Tour schedule.

By Jeff Wilson

As the cannabis industry continues to grow, SIU has positioned itself on the forefront of the research that will drive it even further.

Dr. Jose Franco Da Cunha Leme Filho leads SIU’s Cannabis Science Center in the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences (CALPS).

“We want to attract more students to horticulture, plant biology, agronomy, and other research-intensive initiatives,” he said.

This fall, CALPS will begin offering a bachelor’s degree in horticulture with a specialization in cannabis science, as well as a minor and certification. As the college moves forward with cannabis research, it faces numerous challenges. There are very few federal grants available to support the research, which means its expansion relies heavily on donations and collaboration with private companies.

“It’s a big challenge,” Dr. Leme said. “We are relying on partnerships with the private sector to advance toward our goals.”

SIU’s research only works with low-THC cannabis plants, and Dr. Leme is unable to accept monetary donations from companies that focus on recreational or medical marijuana, which compounds the challenge.

Dr. Leme has secured equipment donations from companies such as AC Infinity, which donated controlled-environment growth units that now fill the limited lab space used for cannabis research in Life Science II.

“I am very appreciative of SIU,” he said. “The university has been very open-minded in creating these opportunities. What we’re doing is the best in the state. We are the ones to collaborate with.”

Now, the goal is to expand, but that requires resources. Dr. Leme has created a plan to establish a new controlled-environment agriculture lab in the basement of McLafferty Annex.

“We would be starting from the ground up,” he said. “Currently, we have more equipment than we can fit in our space. We’re crammed into many small labs, which we’re happy to have, but we need more space. A company could come in and put its name on a new, state-of-the-art lab space.”

With more than 20 students working on the research during Spring 2024, Dr. Leme said that number could double or even triple with more space. Plus, a controlled-environment agriculture lab space would support more than cannabis research and include other indoor-production crops.

“Collaborating with private companies, we can help introduce them to academia and students,” Dr. Leme said. “We will provide reliable information and show the legitimacy of cannabis research and combat negative stereotypes that exist.”

To learn more about the program or how to support it, contact Dr. Leme at jose.leme@siu.edu or CALPS Director of Development Susan Graham at susang@foundation.siu.edu.