by Emily Britton

Student callers — Helping the SIU Foundation solicit support for its Annual Fund are, from left, Patrick Conway, Blake Frank and Joshua Fielder. (Photo provided)

CARBONDALE, Ill. — According to several student callers for the Southern Illinois University Foundation, the lessons learned at this part-time job have been nearly as valuable as those learned in the classroom.

“This position requires persistence and patience, both of which will help me tremendously when I start full-time employment,” Blake Frank, who raised $35,000 for the Foundation, said. “The training that was provided to me has helped me gain valuable skills that will serve me well in my professional career.”

Frank, a senior from Rockwell City, Iowa, majoring in aviation management, is one of 80 SIUC students who solicit support for the Foundation’s Annual Fund. The fund is designed to generate revenue to support various scholarship opportunities, academic departments, programs, and facility upgrades at the University. Students are assigned records based on specific segments of the alumni database. They perform their duties year-round with the exception of the University’s Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday breaks and all other public holidays.

“As a radio-television major, this job has helped me improve my communication skills,” says Jonathan Iaccino, a junior from DeKalb. “I realize that my communication and interaction with alums has a tremendous impact on the advancement of Southern.”

Joshua Fielder, a senior from Carbondale majoring in music, also knows his success as a student caller will help him in future endeavors. Iaccino raised $28,000 during his time as a student caller. Fielder, who raised $25,000, supervised calling sessions during the summer.

“The life skills that I have gained from my work at the Foundation will surely carry through and stay with me,” Fielder says. “Supervising the calling sessions was a great learning experience for me because it allowed me to realize my strengths and recognize the skills I need in order to be successful.”

According to Philip Sanders, a junior from Kankakee majoring in economics, the job also strengthens the student callers’ connections with Southern’s alumni.

“As a student caller, I reach out to our alumni,” says Sanders, who raised $26,000. “Not only do I keep them abreast of all the current issues on campus, but I also tell them why their support is critical to individual colleges and scholarship programs.”

Establishing a connection with alumni is important to the program’s success, says Nanditha Balasubramanian, director of annual giving, who, along with Amber Kinkelaar, the assistant director, trains and mentors the student callers.

“The Annual Fund allows students to make a personal connection with our alumni,” Balasubramanian said. “These conversations help the students become educated about the University’s history, and give the alumni an opportunity to learn more about current activities at Southern.”

The student callers are essential to SIUC’s fundraising efforts, says Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for institutional advancement and chief executive officer of the SIU Foundation.

“The Annual Fund is crucial in moving Southern forward, and the efforts of the student telefunders are vital to our success,” McCurry said. “Not only do the students assist in obtaining support for their University, but they also learn the importance of giving back once they have graduated.”

Patrick Conway, a senior from Normal majoring in information systems technologies, said his experience as a student caller has helped him see how important private support is to Southern’s future. Conway collected $81,000 during his time as a telefunder.

“I truly understand the impact that donor support can have in making a difference in the lives of current students,” Conway says. “When I graduate, I hope to give back to this institution and would encourage others to do the same.”

Photo caption: Pictured are Jonathan Iaccino (left) and Philip Sanders (right)

by Emily Hunsaker

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Three Southern Illinois University Foundation telefunders have surpassed a fundraising milestone by raising more than $25,000 for the Foundation’s Annual Fund.

James Taylor Ashford, a senior majoring in political science and speech communication from Goreville; Patrick Thies, a senior majoring in cinema and photography from DeKalb; and Eric Caldwell, a sophomore majoring in psychology from Pawnee, each reached this fundraising goal. Both Ashford and Thies have raised more than $25,000, while Caldwell has raised more than $45,000.

The Foundation employs 75 student callers who solicit support for the annual fund. The program helps raise money for scholarships, academic departments, and facility upgrades at the University. Students employed by the program perform their duties year-round with the exception of the University’s scheduled holiday breaks.

“These outstanding student callers demonstrate the skills needed to be true ambassadors of this University. With funding cuts to education, the need for private support has never been greater,” says Nanditha Balasubramanian, director of annual giving for the SIU Foundation. “These students really are the foundation for the success of our annual fund efforts. They understand the significance of fundraising and the impact private support has on student lives.”

Student callers work tirelessly to raise money for the University and to keep alumni informed of recent campus activities. Ashford says his job as a telefunder will help him in his future career.

“I am majoring in speech communication with a specialization in persuasion,” Ashford says. “The phone calls that I make every night give me the opportunity to practice and refine my communication skills to a larger degree than many other jobs would allow.”

While Thies agrees his experience as a student caller will be beneficial to him in the future, he says his favorite part of the job is speaking with SIU alumni.

“My job allows me the opportunity to communicate with alumni, some of whom offer advice based on real-life experiences,” Thies says. “It has also helped me appreciate how much our alumni care about their alma mater and the gratitude they have for their professors and mentors.”

Whether the student callers are using their position to prepare for their future careers or just chatting with alumni, Caldwell says raising money for their University is always the telefunders’ number one priority.

“It is no secret that the economic downturn and lack of funding from the state has made private support essential at SIU,” Caldwell says. “Being able to help the school I love when it needs it most is definitely the most enjoyable part of this job.”

For more information or to donate to the annual fund, contact Nanditha Balasubramanian at 618/453-4929 or nanditb@ia.siu.edu

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — For Southern Illinois University Carbondale photojournalism student Emily Sunblade, the news that she is the first scholarship recipient of an award in memory of a friend is bittersweet.

Sunblade is the inaugural recipient of the Ryan Rendleman Photojournalism Scholarship. The 22-year-old senior from Bolingbrook, who has a double major in photojournalism and history, will be awarded the $1,000 scholarship during the School of Journalism’s annual awards banquet Thursday, April 23, at 6 p.m., at Blue Sky Vineyards in Makanda.

More than 30 scholarships worth more $23,000, along with several recognition awards, will be presented. Members of Rendleman’s family will be present at the awards banquet.

“For me it’s very personal. I was friends with Ryan,” Sunblade said. “It’s bittersweet. It’s great to get the award but in hindsight, I wish the award didn’t exist.”

The endowed scholarship honors Rendleman, a 22-year-old senior from Batavia, who died a year ago in a traffic accident while en route to an assignment for The Daily Egyptian student newspaper. Family, friends and faculty members within the journalism school then set up the endowed scholarship through donations and fundraising efforts.

“We are honored by the scholarship endowed in Ryan’s name, and it’s things like these that have comforted us,” said Nick Rendleman, Ryan’s older brother. “We are looking forward to a new student every year being introduced to his legacy.”

The scholarship “will be a reminder every spring of Ryan and how much he meant to all of us,” said William H. Freivogel, director of the School of Journalism.

Sunblade is one of the most promising among a group of promising photojournalists within the school, Freivogel said.

“In a lot of ways she embodies what a lot of us saw in Ryan. She is active in multi-media and new media styles of reporting,” he said.

“Ryan touched the lives of many during his life, I am delighted that his influence on photojournalism students will continue through this scholarship,” said William Recktenwald, a senior lecturer and journalist-in-residence, and one of Rendleman’s instructors.

“Emily Sunblade is a talented photographer and excellent student, she was also a close friend of Ryan,” Recktenwald said. “I know that she will find a special significance in being the first recipient of this award.”

Sunblade, the daughter of Richard and Dianna Sunblade, graduates in December. With her background in history and photography, Sunblade has done some past work with the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service. She will intern this summer with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, working in the visitor’s center, where she will create programs and brochures. The 1.92-million acre refuge is on the southwestern side of Alaska, about one hour south of Anchorage.

Sunblade has worked at The Daily Egyptian since the spring 2008 semester, where she and Rendleman became friends. She gives him credit for helping her think of a photo as more than just a picture, and recalls his ever-present optimism prior to going out on assignment.

She said she often asks herself how Rendleman would have likely approached an assignment before she leaves on a photo shoot.

“Ryan was very much about making the photo a story and not just something to fill space,” she said.

The crash occurred less than two weeks before Rendleman was to earn his bachelor’s degree. Family members accepted Rendleman’s diploma posthumously during commencement ceremonies. The family has set up a Web site in Rendleman’s memory at ryanrendleman.org/ that will be active May 24.

Last month, Rendleman was enshrined in the Newseum’s Freedom Forum Journalists Memorial in the Newseum in Washington, D.C. He is among 1,913 reporters, photographers and broadcasters who have died while reporting the news dating back to 1837, and is the first collegiate journalist from the United States on the memorial.

by Pete Rosenbery

Another significant donation — Christopher Reynolds, left, an assistant instructor with Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s nationally recognized automotive technology program, checks out one of the latest donations to the program, a 2006 Nissan 350Z with students Kelsey Pugh, center, and Vincent Tiberio, right. The car is one of six vehicles and equipment totaling more than $151,000 the program received from Nissan North America, Inc. Pugh and Tiberio are juniors in the automotive technology program; Pugh is from Cleveland, Ohio; Tiberio from Yorkville. (Photo by Pete Rosenbery)

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Nissan North America Inc. is assisting students in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Department of Automotive Technology with a sizeable gift of automobiles and equipment. The company recently donated six vehicles, several engines, transmissions, transaxles and other equipment to the nationally recognized program. The donations, which total $151,610, will help prepare students for careers with major automotive manufacturers, said Jack S. Greer, who chairs the automotive technology department. “This is vitally important,” Greer said, noting the gift is Nissan’s largest to the program. “It’s important to the program to keep it up-to-date as far as technology opportunities for the students. This also demonstrates the dedication the manufacturers have for this program.” Geoff Lonberger, fixed operations manager for Nissan North America, Inc., and a 2005 SIUC automotive technology program graduate, coordinated the sizeable donation.

“It is important for manufacturers to support educational programs, particularly ones with an automotive-specific curriculum because a lot of the upcoming graduates from these programs could be the future of the industry,” he said. “Without vehicle and parts donations the students would not have current technology to learn from.” The donation is another validation of the automotive technology program’s standing within the industry, Greer said. “Nissan doesn’t give $150,000 to a school they do not think a lot of,” he said. “They appreciate our graduates and the way they are prepared for the industry. Our students hit the ground running.” Kelsey Pugh, a junior in automotive technology from Cleveland, Ohio, said adapting to the ever-changing automotive industry is important. “It’s always constantly changing,” Pugh said. “With what we have to work on right now, just getting these new technologies in and seeing different manufacturers and how they do different things is vital.” Vincent Tiberio, a junior in automotive technology from Yorkville, agreed. “This is the newest and greatest technology on the market. It keeps us up-to-date,” he said. “We are able to see what is out there.” As with other donations, students use the vehicles to hone their diagnostic sills. This enables students to train on some of the latest technology, vehicles, and equipment, in the automotive industry, Greer said. “This institution embraces any opportunity to enhance the educational experience for our students,” said Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for institutional advancement and chief executive officer of the SIU Foundation. “SIU Carbondale’s automotive technology program takes great pride in preparing students for jobs in the industry. Nissan’s gift clearly demonstrates a similar commitment to higher education. The University is grateful for Nissan’s generosity.” It is Nissan’s pleasure to donate the vehicles and equipment, said Lonberger. Four of the six vehicles — a 2004 Nissan Titan, a 2006 Nissan 350Z, a 2007 Nissan Maxima, and 2007 Nissan Sentra — will be at the automotive technology campus in Carterville, which has 200 students. A 2000 Nissan Maxima and 2002 Nissan Altima are in use in the off-campus program at Harry S. Truman College in Chicago.

That program began in fall 2007, enabling Chicago-area students the opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology. Students complete an associate of applied science degree from Kennedy-King or Truman College, and then transfer into the automotive technology program, where SIUC faculty teaches upper-level automotive technical and automotive management courses at Truman College. Lonberger started his career with Nissan as a dealer parts and service specialist in 2006. Two years later he transitioned to the sales side of the business as a regional market representative specialist — involved with the franchise agreement as well as market development. His current position, which began April 1, also has an emphasis on customer retention, he said. The University’s automotive technology program “is like no other,” Lonberger emphasized. “The balance between the technical and business sides of the automotive industry makes the education relevant and desirable to manufacturers in any automotive-related field,” he said. “I would highly recommend the program to anybody who wishes to pursue a career in the automotive field. Not only will you receive a great education but after graduation you will have a rich fraternity of Salukis to help you get your foot in the door at some of the top companies in the industry.” Christopher Reynolds, an assistant instructor in the automotive technology program, said it is important for students to be able to see and work on what they will see at dealerships and independent shops. The donations enhance the available base curriculum so that students are more prepared to serve a diverse market of vehicles, Reynolds said. In 2005, the automotive technology program earned the Automotive Industry Planning Council’s Award of Excellence — its third time as the nation’s top program. The program also earned top honors in 1991 and 1999; national winners cannot compete again for the award for five years.

by Greg Scott

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s chief fundraiser is a recipient of the CASE Commonfund Institutionally Related Foundation award. Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for institutional advancement and chief executive officer of the SIU Foundation, is one of two educational foundation leaders receiving the honor. McCurry and Elizabeth King, president and chief executive officer of the Wichita State University Foundation, were both cited for their extraordinary contributions and longtime support of their foundations and the overall profession.

McCurry and King will be honored March 25 during ceremonies at the 17th Annual Conference for Institutionally Related Foundations in Rancho Mirage, Calif. “While my name may be on the award, this honor is a testament to the leadership of the Foundation Board, the hard work of our staff and the generous support of our friends and donors,” McCurry says. “I am honored to have the opportunity to accept this award on behalf of all of those individuals and Southern Illinois University. McCurry has served as vice chancellor for institutional advancement and Foundation CEO at SIU Carbondale since 2000. Under his leadership, Southern’s endowment has grown from $42 million to $85 million, and, the University completed its first comprehensive campaign in June 2008, surpassing its $100 million goal by $6 million. McCurry is credited with building a strong relationship between the University and its foundation, which has created stronger teamwork between departments and a broader understanding of fundraising. He has also worked closely with the university’s board and encouraged members to interact with foundation directors to identify best practices.

The Humboldt, Tenn., native oversees the activities of the SIU Foundation, the SIU Alumni Association, Constituent Relations and Special Events, and Advancement Services. Prior to joining Southern Illinois University, McCurry served as associate vice chancellor for development and alumni affairs, and campaign director at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has been in the advancement profession for 25 years. The awards are underwritten by Commonfund, a nonprofit corporation with more than 1,800 members and more than $40 billion in assets under management. Commonfund provides fund management services and investment advice to educational institutions, hospitals, foundations and other nonprofits. McCurry received another prestigious honor in December. The National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), formed in 1887, appointed McCurry to the executive committee of its Council on Strategic Communications and Advancement. McCurry is serving a three-year term with the council, which provides a forum for examining concerns of campus professionals in communications and public affairs, development and fundraising, and alumni relations. NASULGC is the nation’s oldest higher education association.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is one of the largest international associations of education institutions, serving more than 3,400 universities, colleges, and independent primary and secondary schools in 61 countries. CASE is the leading resource for professional development, information and standards in the fields of educational fundraising, communications and marketing, and alumni relations.

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The SIU School of Law is preparing for a birthday celebration that honors the vision of the law school’s founding dean, while also raising scholarship funds for students. A party celebrating Barbara Lesar’s 90th birthday is set for 1:30 p.m., Sunday, March 29, in the Hiram H. Lesar Law Building.

The cost to attend the party is $90 per person, with proceeds going to the Hiram H. Lesar Professorship Fund. Mrs. Lesar turns 90 years old on March 30. “We’re pleased to celebrate Mrs. Lesar’s milestone birthday with her. We are even more excited that she is allowing us to use this opportunity to highlight Dr. Lesar’s life and legacy,” Dean Peter C. Alexander said. Barbara Lesar’s late husband, Hiram, organized and developed the law school with its charter class in August 1973. Prior to that, the only law schools in the state were at the University of Illinois and in Chicago.

The ongoing goal is to raise $250,000 for the Lesar Professorship Fund. The incumbent law school dean will be designated “Dean and Hiram H. Lesar Professor of Law.” The fellowship fund began in 2006. The endowment also generates a scholarship for a law school student in good academic standing who demonstrates high achievement or the potential for high academic achievement. Because of meal considerations, the pre-registration deadline is March 26. To register by e-mail go to http://www.law.siu.edu and click on the RSVP link to “Celebrating Barbara Lesar’s 90th Birthday.” Registration is also available by e-mail to development officer Judi Ray at judiray@siu.edu or calling 618/453-8135.

Ray said it is Mrs. Lesar’s wish to raise funds for the fellowship in lieu of birthday gifts. The University will honor Barbara Lesar with a Distinguished Service Award during the law school’s commencement ceremony on May 7 in Shryock Auditorium. In February, Alexander noted Barbara Lesar considers it her responsibility to make sure her late husband’s vision is supported in every way possible, actively serving on the law school’s Board of Visitors, and attending every law school event. Barbara Lesar is also co-chair of the committee working to endow the professorship in Dean Lesar’s honor.

by Christi Mathis

New equipment — David Johnson (left) and Bryan Pumphrey, both Southern Illinois University Carbondale students from Chicago, work with computer routers and related equipment that ShawneeLink Corp. recently donated to the School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies within the College of Applied Sciences and Arts. (Photo by Christi Mathis)

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The world at your fingertips — accessible with a few taps on a computer keyboard. But, it doesn’t happen without connectivity. Thanks to an equipment donation from ShawneeLink, some students in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s College of Applied Sciences and Arts are getting enhanced personal experience in making that connectivity happen.

The Internet service provider and communications company donated technology equipment valued at more than $37,000 to the School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies for use by network security and wide area network installation and administration classes. In addition, the SIUC Cyber Defense Team, also known as the “Security Dawgs,” is utilizing it as well.

“Given that ShawneeLink believes today’s IT (information technologies) graduates need not only a strong theoretical foundation, but also practical, hands-on experience they can apply in industry from the first day on the job, we are donating these four ImageStream Gateway routers to SIUC’s Information Systems and Applied Technologies program to enable students to get that experience,” said David M. St. Pierre, Internet operations manager for ShawneeLink.

ShawneeLink, a regional Internet service provider, donated Linux-based equipment that complements the Microsoft operating system and Cisco hardware already in place at SIUC. Company officials said ShawneeLink simply outgrew the capabilities of these four routers, but they are still very current, available for purchase new and still carry six to 18 months of warranty.

“The support of industry is extremely important to my school,” said Will Devenport, director of the School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies. “ShawneeLink’s very generous donation gives a great boost to our networking and security curriculum. No other program on campus provides students with the ‘hands-on’ experience now available with this wide area networking equipment. I truly appreciate the support of this Southern Illinois regional partner. Thank you, ShawneeLink!”

Essentially, the donated equipment gives students the chance to work in the classroom on a different connectivity system than they previously experienced. “Really what this gift means is that we can stop being vendor-specific,” said Belle S. Woodward, ISAT assistant professor and Cyber Defense Team faculty adviser. She said students can now train using both Gateway and Cisco systems, giving them a well-rounded education that improves their range and employability.

“Any time you have more equipment to do hands-on work with, it promotes and improves our preparedness,” Woodward said.

During a recent wide area network installation and administration class, Bryan Pumphrey and David Johnson, both ISAT majors from Chicago, were attempting to “ping” the nearby computer Michael Woodside and Afton James were working on, thereby establishing communication between the computers. “We’re trying to find out if these computers are connected over the gateway,” said Johnson, a senior. A big smile spread on Pumphrey’s face as the junior found the correct IP address and established a network connection. “It gives us more variety, more experience and connectivity speed,” Woodside said of the equipment donation. Woodside is a senior ISAT major from Pinckneyville. “The more devices we have to work with, the more diverse experience we have that we can apply someday in the workplace,” added James, also a senior ISAT major from Pinckneyville. “They’re able to use this equipment to demonstrate its functionality rather than just read about it,” said Tom Imboden, assistant ISAT professor. “They can implement it and create the functionality in our classroom. It allows our students to have hands-on experience that few institutions have the ability to duplicate. This is very sophisticated.” St. Pierre is an SIUC alumnus, earning a bachelor of science in computer science in December 2006. With a previous career in healthcare, IT represents a mid-life career change for him. He began working at ShawneeLink two months before graduating from SIUC. Headquartered in Equality, ShawneeLink Corp., along with its sister company Shawnee Telephone, are wholly owned subsidiaries of Shawnee Communications. When created in 1996, ShawneeLink Corp. initially offered long-distance telephone service. The following year, the company added dial-up Internet service for its service area and by 2003 ShawneeLink offered high-speed DSL.

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — As the extensive renovation and expansion of Morris Library at Southern Illinois University Carbondale nears completion, plans are under way for a new patio at the east end of the building, an idea conceived in 2006 as library focus groups considered numerous options. “This picturesque, well-shaded corner of campus should prove a popular spot and I hope library patrons, staff and donors alike will support this idyllic space,” said David N. Carlson, dean of Library Affairs. The brick patio design features tables and benches with a special touch: the incorporation of some architectural elements from the historic Old Main building, destroyed by fire in 1969. The patio plans call for use of some of the building’s stonework, saved after the fire. Pieces of the limestone and granite will help form an exterior patio border and serve as benches. Plans also are in the works to recreate an Old Main archway featuring a star at its pinnacle to serve as a patio entrance. The design was a joint project involving the Friends of Morris Library, library staff, Engineering Services student worker Eric Leitner and Brian Gorecki, an architect with Plant and Service Operations. Gorecki said engraved paving bricks “will enhance the historical nature of the patio” and give supporters the opportunity to be part of “a permanent piece of history.” The Friends of Morris Library lent its support for the patio project, contributing $8,000 toward the estimated $130,000 price tag. Private funding will cover the patio cost and one source for that funding is the sale of commemorative bricks. The bricks will comprise part of the walkway curving through the middle of the patio. The engraved bricks, of high-quality materials, carry a 100-year guarantee.

Each four-inch by eight-inch brick costs $250 and offers space for engraving of three lines of text, each line having a maximum of 11 characters, including spaces. For $500, supporters can purchase an eight-inch square paver brick that offers the option of adding to the engraving the Pulliam clock tower or the Saluki athletics logo for an additional $50. A $4,000 contribution covers the cost of tables with seating while a $2,000 donation pays for an interior bench. A $5,000 gift underwrites the cost of creating a perimeter bench from Old Main stone. Reconstruction of the Old Main arch will cost $30,000. “The patio project represents a unique opportunity for all members of the SIUC community to make a very substantial addition to our beautiful campus,” said Rob Jensen, chairman of the Friends of Morris Library patio committee. “This patio will be an ideal complement to the newly renovated library and it will further enhance the library’s role as the heart of our academic ventures.” Individuals or groups interested in assisting with the project by sponsoring engraved bricks or other patio elements may contact Kristine McGuire at kmcguire@lib.siu.edu or by calling 618/453-1633. (Gordon Pruett contributed to his release.)

by Greg Scott

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A six-member steering committee is generating private support of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Saluki Way project. Individuals serving on the Saluki Way steering committee are Greg Cook, president of Cook Portable Warehouses in Cobden and a member of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors; Marshall Sheffer, owner of Sheffer Insurance Agency in Herrin; Lisa Short, office manager of Short Brothers Construction in Marion; Barry Smith, market president of Regions Bank in Paducah and a member of the SIU Alumni Association Board of Directors; Jeffrey Speith, Old National Bank Southern Illinois Region president; and Wesley Wilkins, an attorney in Anna who also serves on the SIU Foundation Board.

Rickey N. McCurry, SIUC vice chancellor for institutional advancement and CEO of the SIU Foundation, says volunteer leadership is an asset in Southern’s quest to reach its desired $83-million goal for Saluki Way. “This institution is grateful to have community and business leaders step up in this fashion. These volunteers have exhibited a strong commitment to this institution over the years, and aspire to see the athletic program thrive well into the future,” McCurry says. “We have individuals who realize how pertinent Saluki Way is and their contributions will move us one step closer to transforming this dream into a reality for Saluki fans.” Mario Moccia, director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Southern, adds: “Our six volunteers have helped us achieve the fundraising success we currently enjoy. They are representative of the loyalty, pride and devotion exhibited by Saluki supporters nationwide. We have alumni, friends, and supporters of our athletic program who realize the importance of upgrading our facilities and they take great pride in Saluki Athletics. That is what is making Saluki Way a reality.” Saluki Way, unveiled in 2005, is comprised of three primary components including construction of a new football stadium, retrofitting the SIU Arena and building an athletics support facility that will feature locker rooms, meeting rooms and office space for the Saluki men’s and women’s basketball program as well as the football program. McCurry says the University has raised close to $70 million through student fees, the City of Carbondale’s pledge, private donations and the sale of football suites. Saluki Way is scheduled for a groundbreaking date of March 3.