Welcome to a series of stories celebrating SIU’s 150th anniversary.

A growing number of attacks on computer networks worldwide has increased demand for university graduates with expertise in cyberdefense and cybersecurity, areas that barely existed just a decade ago.

This call comes as no surprise, as cyber criminals now show increasing new levels of ambition and sophistication – from multimillion-dollar bank heists to overt attempts at disrupting large networks that support production efforts for critical utilities.

SIU has responded to this demand by offering a specialization in cybersecurity through its School of Information Systems and Applied Technologies, and students typically have jobs lined up before they graduate because of high demand.

A point of pride for the program is the Security Dawgs cyberdefense team, a student organization that gives students hands-on experience through participation in cyberdefense and cybersecurity competitions. The team consistently earns first- or second-place honors in the state’s annual college cyberdefense competitions.

Despite these strengths, the program is in need of financial support to help educate tomorrow’s cybersecurity experts and industry leaders, according to Tom Imboden, associate professor of information systems technologies.

“Investments in equipment and opportunities will keep SIU students in the forefront of the industry,” he said. “For example, we received a grant a few years ago to acquire a remote-access solution that allows SIU to host virtual machines with curriculum content. This gives our students all of the software needed to provide an environment where students can complete lab exercises for the information technology courses they are enrolled in.”

Upkeep to the servers is essential, but costly.

“Our servers are now five years old and need to be upgraded,” Imboden said. “New servers cost around $6,000 each, and they come with an annual fee of $3,000.”

The Security Dawgs also need support getting to, and participating in, competitions.

“Typically, the team has only three weeks’ notice informing them they are invited to compete in the state or regional competitions,” Imboden said. “Ensuring that we have transportation and lodging for 10 students is a challenge. These competitions help put SIU, the program and our students on the map.”

To learn more about the information technologies program, visit isat.siu.edu/. To learn more about the needs of the College of Applied Sciences and Arts, visit http://foreversiu.org/colleges-units/applied-sciences-and-arts.php.

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CARBONDALE, Ill. – David Delaney, a 1983 graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, has been elected to a two-year term as chairman of the SIU Foundation.

He replaces Susie Rashid, a 1987 SIU accounting graduate, who now serves as the board’s immediate past president.

Former immediate past president Roger Tedrick, a 1970 political science graduate, continues on the foundation board as a representative of the SIU Board of Trustees. Matthew Solverson, a 1986 engineering graduate, is the foundation’s new president-elect.

Delaney, who studied agriculture at SIU, said the SIU Foundation plays an important role supporting the university.

“The foundation connects the passions of donors with the needs of the university,” he said. “The gifts of alumni and friends support scholarships for students, provides needed funding for facilities and laboratories, and enhance faculty teaching and research.”

The foundation is currently engaged in “Forever SIU: The Campaign for Students,” a three-year fundraising effort that achieved its $75 million goal seven months ahead of schedule. The campaign runs through December 2019.

“Private support enhances the public support that is so critical to SIU’s success,” Delaney said. “The foundation board is very grateful to the governor and our state legislators for increasing funding for higher education across the state – and especially SIU – this year. State funding gives donors confidence and motivates them to further invest in the university.”

Delaney, who has served on the foundation board since 2012, thanked recent foundation board presidents Rashid and Tedrick for their leadership.

“All members of the board are volunteers who believe in the power of donors to advance SIU,” he said. “Susie and Roger have been models for all of us in terms of their dedication and leadership.”

Delaney is currently chief commercial officer for Farmer’s Business Network, which serves nearly 8,000 members across more than 30 million acres of farmland across the U.S. and Canada. He is based in northern Illinois. He was formerly executive vice president and chief operating officer at PotashCorp, the world’s largest fertilizer company.

Rashid owns SWR LLC in Evanston, Illinois, and Tedrick is president of Tedrick Group Risk Management Solutions in Mount Vernon. Solverson is a director of R&D programs for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Marion.

The SIU Foundation is an independent, nonprofit corporation that exists solely to serve the educational, service and research missions of SIU Carbondale. As a designated 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation has approval from the Internal Revenue Service to issue tax-deductible receipts for private gifts received to support SIU.

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With a $15,000 grant from the SIU Foundation, the School of Music provided educational and artistic endeavors, benefiting students and the community at large.

“Within the School of Music, I tried to ensure the funds were allocated to activities benefiting a broad cross-section — including vocalists and instrumentalists, soloists and ensembles, classical and non-classical, new music and traditional,” Eric Lenz, the school’s interim director, said.

Below is a list of the events the grant helped fund:

Outside the Box

Arguably the most impactful activity sponsored by School of Music, this year’s new music festival featured an impressive slate of guest composers (Stephen Demski, Arthur Gottschalk) and performing artists (Apollo Chamber Players). The nine-concert series highlighted guest artists, SIU faculty and performance students.

Verdi Requiem at Shryock Auditorium

A performance of the Requiem Mass by Guiseppe Verdi is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This year’s marquee event was no exception. Filling the stage to capacity in Shryock Auditorium, SIU Symphony, Concert Choir and Choral Union were joined by guest ensembles from SEMO, John A. Logan College and Southeast Illinois College.

SIU Guitar Festival

Funds supported guest artists from Mexico and Puerto Rico, including Aldemar Valentín, who collaborated with SIU Assistant Professor of Guitar, Dr. Isaac Lausell. Additional funds helped defray cost of new equipment purchase (bass amp) associated with guest artists in the jazz area.

Southern Illinois Music Festival/Young Artist Program

The 15th annual Southern Illinois Music Festival (May 24 through June 9) featured more than 30 performances throughout Southern Illinois, at venues in Carbondale, Marion, Carterville, Murphysboro, Anna, Cairo, Makanda, Du Quoin, Christopher, Johnson City and Alto Pass. The highly acclaimed festival, which draws on members of the New Chicago Chamber Orchestra who perform side-by-side with SIU faculty and advanced performance students.

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