Category Archives: Higher Education

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

Meet Model Student Madeleine Cravens

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Madeleine Cravens, a Du Quoin native, is a senior studying marketing in the SIU College of Business. She received the Covington Entrepreneurial Award. The scholarship was established by Jon and Patricia Covington. The award is available to marketing undergraduates, who are from Southern Illinois, are working while taking classes and have a goal of owning a business.

Why did you choose SIU? SIU was an easy choice for me. Both of my grandparents, all of my aunts and my dad graduated from SIU with their degrees. My dad was also a part of the SIU football team. The first time I came to visit SIU I knew it is where I wanted to be. It felt like my home away from home, and I have loved my journey here at SIU.

What inspired you to choose your area of study? I would like to say that the decision process of choosing my area of study was simple, but it was not … at all. I changed my major three times before I decided on marketing. I am a people person, and I enjoy anything to do with public speaking. I loved the freedom that a marketing degree would give me. I have also had a love for the medical field, but knew that was not the exact fit for me. My grandfather and father are business owners, so I also enjoy business. I chose marketing so I could pursue a career in medical device sales, and I do not regret my decision for one second.

What was your reaction when you received the Covington Entrepreneurial Award?
I still remember exactly where I was when I found out I had won this award. I was walking into the Student Center for lunch when I received the email. My first reaction was to call my dad. I was in disbelief, and I was so grateful that they felt I was the perfect recipient for this award.

How will the Covington Entrepreneurial Award help you make a difference in society? I am so grateful for this opportunity and what this award has done for me. Achieving this award was one of those moments that I will never forget, and I would like to give that feeling back to someone. Since winning this award, I have done my best to give back to society and help others as much as I can.

Do you have a message that you would like to say to Jon and Patricia Covington?
Yes, and I would like to start with a thank you. Thank you for seeing me as the best fit for your award and trusting in me to take this award and make something great of it and be an example. This award helped me achieve my degree and reach the point in my journey that I am at today. You are appreciated, and I am so thankful for donors like you.

Why should donors consider establishing a scholarship fund for students? Without donors, a lot of the students at SIU would not receive their degree or maybe not even attend college. Scholarships are so important and can change a student’s life. Since I have received this award, I will become a donor in the future so that I can hopefully give a student the same experience and chances that I was given. The students are so grateful and have a great deal of appreciation for our donors. If you are not a donor, I highly recommend rethinking it or learning more about it.

Has receiving this scholarship inspired you to give back to SIU in the future? Receiving this scholarship has most definitely done that for me. I know the comfort, happiness and sense of achievement it brought me, and I would like to give that back to another student someday.

Share a fun fact about yourself: A fun fact about myself would be that I am an internationally signed modeled in three different countries and with four signed agencies.

Tell us about your modeling career: My modeling career started in May of 2018 when I signed a worldwide contract with NEXT Models. That September, I moved to Miami by myself. It was one of my greatest learning experiences and biggest challenges I have ever faced. My freshman and sophomore years of college were some of my favorite years, and I was going to be giving up the Fall 2018 semester, to move away. Little did I know, this move was the first door to an amazing career. I booked my first job there in Miami, with Venus Williams tennis line. I met so many amazing people and do not regret my time there at all. I returned home to Du Quoin that December and signed with Wilhelmina Models in Chicago. This is when my career took off and has changed my life forever. Since I have been with Wilhelmina Chicago, I have had opportunities that I am forever grateful for and will never take for granted. I have had the opportunity to work for Ralph Lauren, Vera Bradley, Nike and those are just to name a few. In July of 2019, I signed with Bookers Modeling Agency in Hamburg, Germany, and New Model Agency in Athens, Greece. I moved to Germany in August and had the experience of a lifetime. Picking a career that has been so demanding while I have also been trying to be a college student, has been nothing but hard, but I would not change it for a second. Signing with these agencies and beginning to work and travel to a different state, four times a week forced me to grow up extremely fast. My junior and senior years of college were not your typical years, but without the determination I had to succeed with this, I would not be where I am today. This career is something I hold near and dear to my heart and always will. It has taught me perseverance, growth, strength, rejection and independence.

How does SIU help you balance both modeling and learning?
When my career began to take off, I was in the thick of my junior year. There were weeks I was in Ohio, Monday through Tuesday; Wisconsin, Wednesday to Thursday; and would only be home on Friday. My professors at SIU have been nothing but understanding and supportive of my career. They have made accommodations to my school work, responded to my emails at 10 p.m. asking about an assignment I missed the lecture for and have continued to follow my journey even after my time with them was finished. I will always thank SIU because without its support and help, my career would not be where it is today.

Vera Bradley 2020 campaign.

What has been the highlight of your modeling career while being a student?
My modeling career and my years as a college student are both more than I could have ever asked for. The highlight of my modeling career so far, was my opportunity to work with Vera Bradley in Connecticut and be the face of their new campaign for 2020. I had to miss four days of class and my professors did not blink an eye. They were so happy for me.

What are your plans after graduation?
I will graduate from the College of Business on May 9, 2020. While I will continue to pursue my modeling career, I will also be pursuing a career in medical sales.

What does being a Saluki mean to you?
A Saluki to me means pushing yourself to the best of your ability and to never quit. I will always take pride in being a Southern Illinois University Saluki. It is my family, and it has given me some of my greatest adventures and trials.

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Donor Stories, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Philanthropic Women, SIU

SIU School of Law Alumna Gives Love and Hope Through Free Lunches

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By Rebecca Renshaw

Life, at least for now, has changed dramatically across the United States as we face the coronavirus pandemic along with the rest of the world.

The shelves at our grocery stores often stand empty. Our favorite restaurants and entertainment venues are either closed or operating in much different ways than before. Our arenas are quiet and the crowds are gone. Around our interstates and neighborhoods, we’re spotting signs and messages that remind us of really just how different life feels now.

But, in St. Louis, if you are paying attention, there’s also a lot of love and hope being extended. From teddy bears in windows and messages of hope written in chalk on sidewalks, although we’re apart, we’re finding ways to remain deeply connected.

Beth Boggs, ‘91 SIU School of Law alumna, and a partner of Boggs, Avellino, Lach & Boggs, has committed to such love and hope by making sure students in North County School District in St. Louis receive free lunches and facemasks each week.

Boggs says she has sponsored and helped a food pantry in St. Louis, Ritenour Co-Care, for several years. One of her colleagues, Angela Gabel, serves on the pantry’s board of directors. Boggs and Gabel had a meeting in early March where they determined they had to do something for the pantry as it began to face higher demands for food. From that day forward, they have seen an incredible coming together in the community.

Through her connections in St. Louis business and civic affairs, Boggs encouraged others to join their efforts. Wallis Oil Company agreed to put their commissary employees to work making lunches. Wallis also agreed to transport donated meals to area drop-offs each week. Boggs soon got The Orchards Golf Course kitchen staff to make lunches. The owners of JJ Twigs Pizza were able to bring back some of their employees to pitch in and make lunches for students.

“Besides all of those volunteers, we also now have a minor league team who pitches in and helps make meals,” said Boggs.

She says what is remarkable is that through these efforts, some small businesses are now able to pay their staff and put them to work.

“Through a charity that my husband, Darin (SIU School of Law ’90) and I formed in 2005 called Step It Up, we give these businesses the food to make the meals and the wages to pay their staff,” she said.

Boggs was also impressed by the generosity of her fellow alumni from SIU Carbondale. “Each spring, we host a charity golf tournament to raise funds for SIU. While several of my participants and sponsors had already paid their entry fees, not one of them asked for a return of their money when the tournament had to be cancelled. When they heard of our efforts, they collectively donated the $13,500 in fees to the University Scholarship fund. That’s the Saluki spirit that makes SIU so strong,” she said.

While the North County School District does provide one free lunch drop-off a week, many of the students can’t find the transportation to get to the drop-off point.

“The problem with the school district free lunch program is that they only drop off lunches in an area where the students would be forced to take public transportation to get to the food,” said Boggs. With the help of the school libraries, Epworth Charities and the NAACP, they now are delivering 10,000 meals to multiple locations across the county five days a week.

Boggs says she and her behind-the-scenes volunteers are not doing this for publicity. “It’s simply the right thing to do. If we can give this food with no hardship to us, then it would be wrong to ignore this major need in our city right now,” said Boggs.

Boggs said they also give out 10,000 face masks to the students and their families along with their meals.

“Of all the positive COVID-19 cases in St. Louis, 70 percent are in these hard-hit communities of color. I am so thankful for the help of NAACP’s St. Louis County president, John Bowman. While we have the resources of money and food, Mr. Bowman has the connections to get to the people who need help the most,” said Boggs.

Boggs is amazed at the touching outpouring of humanity she has witnessed during the last month.

“I recently had to go to Chicago to visit my brother who is battling leukemia. His young daughter is quarantined due to his illness and said she wished she could help. I told her that she is wonderful at baking bread, so maybe she could make a loaf and send it to the food pantry. A week later, she shipped us 25 loaves of bread. She is a shining example of spreading love and hope with whatever resources are available,” Boggs said.

Boggs and the group of volunteers will continue to give 10,000 meals and face masks each week to students through the end of May. While Boggs was reluctant to draw attention to herself, she does so only to encourage others, especially Salukis, to get involved and give back to others during this time.

“I absolutely loved my years at SIU and I found the grit and determination of the students there remarkable. I am sharing my story only in hopes that others who call themselves Salukis will join me and extend love and hope to others as well,” she said.

Many former Salukis have donated funds and time to help.

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Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

Meet Banterra Bank Scholarship Recipient – Marshall Brown

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Marshall Brown is a senior studying political science.

What is your level and the degree you will be receiving from SIU?
I will be graduating at the end of this semester. I will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science with a specialty in public service, and a minor in music.

What sparked your interest in this type of degree?
I have always been interested in politics and the news and that is why I have picked political science as my undergraduate degree. While earning my degree in Political Science I decided to seek a graduate degree in public administration. I hope to someday work for a state or federal agency specializing in policy creation/implementation.

What are your plans after graduation?
I will start coursework in the Master of Public Administration program.

What have you enjoyed most about your time at SIU?
The most enjoyable experience I had at SIU was being a member of the marching band directed by Dr. Brozak. Dr. Brozak’s dedication to the program and his leadership made me proud to be a Marching Saluki.

What are your thoughts about receiving the Banterra scholarship and what do you think of Banterra’s efforts toward the community?
I want to thank Banterra for the scholarship I received. Just as important to me as the financial help, is the honor I feel from being recognized by a community leader like Banterra. Over the past years I have become aware of all the good things Banterra does for Southern Illinois, and that made the scholarship I received even more special to me.

 What would you say to other potential donors about giving back to SIU?
That the support from donors means a lot not only to the students, but also to the community. SIU is one of the largest employers in Southern Illinois. Supporting the campus strengthens the community as a whole. It is great to see businesses, in the private sector, such as Banterra take on such a commitment to the community in which they service.

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Donor Stories, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

Banterra Scholarship Opens Doors to Opportunity

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Danielle Lorentz
Danielle Lorentz

by Rebecca Renshaw

Danielle Lorentz’s heart bleeds maroon. A senior majoring in communications with specializations in interpersonal and organizational communication, Lorentz refers to herself as a “townie.”

“My mother worked at SIU, so I grew up in Carbondale. We attended tailgates, football games, you name it, we were there. It just felt natural that I would attend SIU. I could not be prouder to be both from Carbondale and be a Saluki,” she said.

In her junior year, Lorentz says, she stumbled upon a study abroad program through the College of Business that would apply toward a minor in international marketing while studying in Grenoble, France. However, she was concerned about the expenses involved with the program and decided to take one of the campus prerequisites to see how she liked the material.

At the same time, Lorentz learned she was a recipient of a Banterra Bank scholarship.

“Knowing I had the funds to study abroad allowed me to continue to pursue my interest in marketing. It was as if a door had opened up and exposed me to a whole new side of the business world. If I hadn’t received the scholarship, I would never have pursued a new path in marketing,” she said.

As it turned out, Lorentz discovered she enjoyed the class and the content. She felt earning a minor in marketing would pair nicely with her communication degree and give her an opportunity of a lifetime to study abroad.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lorentz did not get to realize her dream of studying in France. However, she said the excitement the scholarship gave her and the new path it presented made all the difference.

“I want to thank Banterra Bank for its generosity and its willingness to positively impact students’ lives in ways that didn’t even seem possible. I have already been so fortunate in what SIU has given me and this scholarship added even more,” she said.

Jeff May, president of Banterra Bank, said the Banterra Scholarships were part of an agreement to name the Banterra Center on campus.

“Ensuring that a scholarship program was set up as part of our naming-rights agreement was a key requirement for us to move forward with our SIU partnership,” May said. “Being able to assist with education needs of our youth as well as grow enrollment for one of the region’s largest employers is incredibly important to Banterra.”

When Lorentz heard the scholarships being announced at a SIU basketball game, she felt pride sitting in the stands knowing she was one of the recipients.

“That amount of money can make or break a student’s opportunities. It gives young people like myself the freedom to pay for books or pay for a program or get certified online,” said Lorentz.

“I also want to express to potential donors out there that even though they are giving a monetary donation, for students, it is so much more. Not only does it provide opportunities, it is also a sign of encouragement for students to keep moving forward,” she said.

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Donor Stories, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

A Lasting Legacy: Future farmers, teachers to benefit from former professor’s gift

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Jim and Sue Legacy
Jim and Sue Legacy

By Rebecca Renshaw

Jim Legacy’s passion for agriculture started at an early age. Now, he and his wife, Sue, are sharing that passion with others.

The Legacys donated $1 million from their charitable trust to the SIU College of Agricultural Sciences. Per their wishes, 80 percent will help fund scholarships for SIU students who participated in Future Farmers of America, and 20 percent will go toward faculty.

Jim Legacy came to SIU in 1977 as professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences. He retired at the end of 2001.

“The most enjoyable experience of my life was being a professor,” he said. “As an instructor, you have these 18-year-old kids who come ready to learn from your knowledge. They carry a great deal of respect for a professor, and you end up playing an important and often extended role in their lives.”

During his tenure, he had multiple students come to his home for dinner and attended many of their graduation ceremonies and even weddings.

Legacy participated in international agricultural projects that took him all over the world.

“SIU gave me so many memorable experiences that I will never forget,” he said. “I traveled to Africa, China, Jamaica and Western Samoa to do meaningful work. It definitely enriched my life.”

Hard work & education

Born on a dairy farm in upstate New York, Legacy’s first agricultural experience came when he was 10 years old and his grandfather gave him 50 chicks to raise. As he neared high school, he received land from his father, and he milked 15 cows every day for nearly four years.

“I took math and science and vocational agriculture at Franklin Academy High School, and those classes furthered my interest in getting higher education degrees in agriculture,” Legacy said. “I had an agriculture teacher who encouraged me to go to college and get a degree in agriculture. I listened to him.”

Using the money he saved milking cows, Legacy attended Cornell University, earning his doctorate from Cornell in 1976. He was quickly hired by Purdue as an assistant professor of agriculture. After one year there, he began searching for a university that would give him the freedom to be his own person.

“SIU was a perfect match for me and my family. SIU allowed me to teach students how I wanted and run my program the way I saw fit,” he said.

An investment in the future

The Legacys strongly believe in the value of the FFA, which made it the clear choice for financial support.

“The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of high school students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success,” he said. “There are over 700,000 student members in grades 7 through 12 who belong to FFA chapters, and what is surprising is that most of them are not farm kids.

“It provides students with a huge structure. It teaches them how to speak in public, gives them direction and shapes them into leaders.”

Legacy said there aren’t enough instructors to teach all these students. Last year, Illinois universities graduated 28 individuals who received an Agricultural Education Teacher Certification. However, there were 97 open teaching positions throughout secondary schools in the state. He’s hoping more scholarship opportunities will encourage more agriculture majors to obtain a teaching certificate.

“Most high schools have abandoned vocational programs. Agricultural programs like the FFA are the few that still exist,” Legacy said. “It’s a program that can make so many young kids shine. My hope is that this donation will help SIU and further the mission of the FFA.”

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Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

A helping hand: Day of Giving funds bolster student’s experience, opportunity

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Diamoneek Green

By Jeff Wilson

Every donation made during the SIU Day of Giving benefits students.

That means funding scholarships, improving facilities, enhancing programs, supporting a cause, etc. Of course, some donations can have an even more direct impact.

That’s what Diamoneek Green, a student ambassador for the Department of Political Science, found out when she earned the 2020 Barbara Brown Internship from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

For a political science major with a pre-law specialty, the chance to work with state legislators in the General Assembly was perfect.

“I’m interning with the Illinois Municipal League,” Green said. “It’s a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that represents Illinois municipalities on a state and federal level. Its work positively impacts the entire state of Illinois and other local governments nationwide.”

Of course, moving from Carbondale to Springfield posed a significant financial challenge. Green was locked into a rental agreement with a local apartment complex but also needed a place to live in Springfield. Having two rent bills to pay would be difficult for anyone, especially a student working an internship.

While living and studying in Carbondale, she worked multiple jobs and found time to volunteer.

“Even with plans to work while doing the internship, it was going to be nearly impossible to make ends meet. I always prided myself on being financially independent,” she said. “I’ve always been ambitious. I didn’t want to go into debt.”

That’s when Green reached out for help. She wrote a heartfelt letter to Todd Bryson, director of the Student Multicultural Resource Centers, and Dr. Linda Baker, a professor at the Simon Institute.

“They were so helpful,” she said. “Todd kept telling me to be patient. He wanted me to focus on this opportunity and not stress about the money.”

It wasn’t long after that Green received a call from Bryson and Dr. Baker informing her that she would receive $1,000 from the Black Resource Center Emergency Tuition Fund. The money in that fund was donated during the 2019 SIU Day of Giving.

“I feel so proud to be part of something that’s bigger than me,” she said. “I can’t wait to give back to students like myself. SIU has been like a second family to me. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll go to a school where people will do everything they can to make sure you succeed. I want to make them proud.”

Drawn to SIU

Raised in Kentucky, Green’s family moved to Cairo, Illinois, before her senior year of high school. At first, she had plans of returning to Kentucky for college.

“My guidance counselor, Zachary Nelson, shared her experience at SIU,” Green said. “Jeff McGoy (director of SIU’s Exploratory Student Advisement) came to our high school. He’s so charismatic, and I looked up to him. I felt like I had to see what SIU was like firsthand. I visited campus and immediately fell in love. Everyone at SIU made me feel good about the transition.

“I’ve had a really good experience. Every one of my concerns was met with solutions. My time as SIU has taught me many lessons, both academic and about life in general. Some of those were tough lessons, but there’s been a recurring positive lesson as well: SIU takes care of those in need.”

If you would like to help students like Diamoneek Green, visit https://siuf.org/giving/college-unit/diversity.php.

Donor Stories, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

Feeding the Saluki spirit

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Alumnus, high schoolers donate 2,700 meals to food pantry

John and wife, Marcia Kabat

By Rebecca Renshaw

As the nation grapples with effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saluki spirit continues to shine. The kindness and generosity of one SIU Carbondale alumnus is one powerful example.

John Kabat ’84, ’85 is the president of the SIU Agriculture Alumni Association. After retiring last year from a 34-year teaching career at Mount Vernon Township High School, he continues to teach part-time in the Cooperative Education Program as well as agriculture-related classes. He also serves as the national Future Farmers of America advisor for Mount Vernon’s FFA Chapter.

Recently, he and his students packaged, delivered and donated more than 2,700 meals to the SIU’s Saluki Food Pantry to help students in need due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A desire to help

The 2,700 meals were part of Kabat’s larger effort to feed more than 10,000 people in his community.

Kabat got the idea when he encountered an organization called Meals of Hope at a national FFA convention in Indianapolis last fall. While there, he met with volunteers from the charitable organization, based in Naples, Florida. Its mission is to empower communities to come together to end hunger.

That mission resonated with what is dear to his heart: feeding people who suffer from food insecurities.

Kabat came back to Mount Vernon and began identifying organizations that could benefit from food donations. He and a small team assembled and donated more than 8,800 lunches to nursing homes, shelters and senior citizen centers throughout southern Illinois.

“When I heard that SIU’s Saluki Food Pantry had been gathering food to fill emergency bags for students who find themselves in need, I knew where I needed to focus my remaining efforts,” Kabat said.

With the help of 22 parents and students, who are involved with the FFA chapter, 2,700 meals were assembled in about three hours. The idea wasn’t entirely Kabat’s; several of his students expressed the desire to help feed those in need.

Instilling a love of giving back

“I try to instill a spirit of giving back in each of my students and, in this project, I feel I succeeded,” Kabat said. “Even though I run a farm that feeds about 4,000 people yearly, my priority remains with the 250 kids I teach each year. I want to show them what it feels like to help others, show kindness and give back.

“If I can encourage them to go forth and multiply good deeds of their own, then I will have done my job well. God has blessed me with a sound mind and body. He’s also blessed me with my family and the farm. I never have taken any of this for granted, and I have enjoyed living my life that way,” he said.

Kabat graduated from SIU in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and double minors in agricultural mechanics and animal science. He received his master’s degree from SIU in 1985 in agricultural education.

“I loved my time at SIU,” he said. “SIU showed me the beauty of diversity and learning from people and their cultures from all over the world. It showed me that we are all equal and we are all in life together.”

The impact of the donation

Tena Bennett, the director at the Student Center, home to the Saluki Food Pantry, called Kabat a truly great man and said the food donation came at a critical time.

“These meals will provide hundreds of our students with food during an unprecedented time in our world. The Saluki Food Pantry was completely stocked before the pandemic and has been nearly wiped out as we supply emergency food bags to our students, many of whom had community jobs that have been suspended during the ‘stay-at home’ order,” she said.

“These meals were provided at a key time that allows us to continue to support our students with food from the pantry,” Bennett added. “The generosity of the students at Mount Vernon High School under John’s direction is a true demonstration of servant leadership,” she said.

If you would like to join Kabat in supporting the  Saluki Cares Student Emergency Fund, please visit https://salukifunder.siu.edu/project/20468 and learn how you can give back to SIU and its students.

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Donor Stories, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

SIU Credit Union Kicks Off the Donations to the 2020 SIU Day of Giving

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Giving is in the DNA of those at the SIU Credit Union, and local charities have regularly been the beneficiaries of their benevolence. This year, the SIU Credit Union kicked off the Day of Giving with two gifts. The first donation of $20,000 will benefit SIU’s New Student Services and the second donation of $10,000 will go to Touch of Nature’s programs.

The SIU Credit Union was represented by Mike Lantrip, CEO, Mark Dynis, Marketing Director and Kim Babington, Vice President of Community Outreach.

Chancellor John M. Dunn received the donations from the group and said that the SIU Credit Union has been a good partner to SIU for many years.

“These gifts are generous and they represent a number of gifts they’ve given across the years for many endeavors,” he said.

Lori Stettler, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs says the support of the SIU Credit Union is priceless.

“The investment they made reaches far beyond New Student Programs and the University.  The work done by the team in New Student Programs impacts not only our students, but our community through the economic impact families make in our city and our region. We are grateful for their donation, their commitment and the time they invest in us each semester. The funds will support the annual Saluki Start Up and Weeks of Welcome programs, which help new students as they begin their Saluki journey,” she said.

“We are so proud to be a part of the SIU Day of Giving,” said Babington.

“This is such an important day and we want students to know they have a financial institution they can depend on,” she said.

Babington said that three years ago she did not know much about SIU’s Touch of Nature, but a colleague took her out to their facilities and introduced her to the many programs Touch of Nature offers. She knew then that SIU Credit Union had to play a part in their efforts.

J.D. Tanner, Touch of Nature’s Director, appreciates the ongoing support from SIU Credit Union.

“It’s important to have a community organization like SIU Credit Union to recognize what we do with students and the community,” he said.

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Crowdfunding, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

SIU Day of Giving totals top $1.6 million

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Day of Giving – Chancellor John M. Dunn discusses the fourth SIU Carbondale Day of Giving campaign during festivities on Wednesday. The 24-hour fundraising campaign raised more than $1.6 million.

CARBONDALE, Ill., — The preliminary total raised through Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s fourth Day of Giving on March 4 reached more than $1.6 million. The total reflects more than 2,441 individual gifts from 43 states and 10 countries.

Chancellor John M. Dunn thanked donors for continued growth in support through the annual Day of Giving, from $340,000 in 2017 to more than $1 million in 2020. Last year, donors contributed $910,000 through the Day of Giving.

“The annual growth in contributions is another signal of confidence in the university’s momentum,” he said. “As we near the end of our 150th year, donors are positioning SIU for the next 150.”

Dunn added that ultimately, the Day of Giving is not about the number.

“It’s about impact,” he said. “Every gift made will help a student, support a program or contribute to the greater community through the arts, athletics and service. We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave.”

The theme of this year’s Day of Giving was “1 Vision. 24 Hours.” Between 6 a.m. March 4 and 5:59 a.m. March 5, donors visited siuday.siu.edu to support more than 150 programs, initiatives and scholarships.

The numbers aren’t final, said Rae Goldsmith, chief executive officer of the SIU Foundation.

“The immediate totals include gifts made online,” she said. “The numbers will grow as we count gifts made in person, by phone and by mail in the days ahead.”

The Day of Giving includes a friendly competition for traveling trophies recognizing academic and non-academic units raising the most funds or attracting the most individual gifts.

The College of Liberal Arts received more than $197,960, making it the academic unit that that raised the most funds. The School of Medicine had the highest number of individual gifts for an academic unit at 285. Among non-academic programs, Saluki Athletics received the most in total donations at $139,301. The Balancing Education, Experience and Reality Scholarship supported by the Carbondale ‘80s & 90s Facebook group received 815 individual gifts, earned the trophy for a most gifts raised by a non-academic unit.

“Every gift of any size makes a difference,” Goldsmith said. “The Day of Giving demonstrates the power of community and philanthropy.”

She added that all gifts to the Day of Giving also support the foundation’s current $200 million Forever SIU campaign for the university.

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Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

SIU Scholarship Recipient Colton Newlin

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colton-newlin

Colton Newlin is a student with big aspirations – and it shows. A senior studying psychology and pre-law, Newlin plans to go to law school at either Vanderbilt University or Washington University after he graduates. A chancellor scholar, Newlin said the scholarship he received has made all the difference in his undergraduate experience and has helped pave the way for his plans to attend law school.

“Receiving the scholarship was hugely impactful in my life. I was faced with having to fund my undergraduate education by myself, so when I found out that burden was lifted, it shaved a lot of worry and stress from my life,” Newlin said. “It also allowed me to save money for law school.”

Newlin serves as the Undergraduate Student Government president and it is a position he takes very seriously. “I found running for USG president was a unique opportunity to affect positive change at an imperfect time for our university. I believe it is a way to foster positive relationships with students, faculty and staff,” Newlin said.

Newlin encourages other donors to give back to SIU so that future students can have the same experiences he has had. “It’s my hope that others will donate because they recognize the opportunities they received from others and give those same opportunities to future students.”

 

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