While dining at Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Marion, John Gunter is asked why he has generously supported his alma mater. He responds without hesitation.

“It is a matter of paying it back by paying it forward,” he says. “I received a solid education and strong foundation in forestry at Southern Illinois University. The university and its professors prepared me for graduate school, too.”

John, a 1966 SIU forestry alumnus, makes special mention of former professors Dwight McCurdy and Ronald Beazley for their guidance during his undergraduate years. After completing his master’s and doctorate degrees at Michigan State University, John proceeded on to a distinguished career in forestry, which culminated with serving as dean and professor at Mississippi State University, a post he retired from in 2002.

“Vic Rudolph was my major professor at Michigan State. After I received my doctorate, I asked him if I had the potential to be a dean,” John says. “He replied with the affirmative so that encouraged me to pursue a career in higher education administration.”

A McLeansboro native, John says his work in the industry has taken him to all 50 states. Prior to his stint at Mississippi State University, John taught, did extension work and conducted research at four additional institutions including Michigan State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, University of Georgia, where he headed the extension forestry program, and University of Arkansas at Monticello as Dean of Forestry. In addition, his contributions included working for private industry and the federal government at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.

John has authored or co-authored numerous forestry articles for journals and research publications, as well as three books. He is a fellow of the Society of American Foresters and has twice received Alumni Achievement awards from the College of Agricultural Sciences at SIU.

Some of his fondest memories of SIU include participation in a spring quarter field campus, through which he and classmates received their initial hands-on experience in forestry. He was also active in the student forestry club. John decided to retire in his native southern Illinois, in part because of farmland he owns in the region, and because he wanted to live close to the university.

The SIU alumnus also serves on the College of Agricultural Sciences Leadership Board and is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.

Nearly five decades after graduating from SIU, John is endowing the John E. Gunter Scholarship Fund through the SIU Foundation. John has also made provisions in his estate plan for additional contributions to this endowment.

The John E. Gunter Scholarship is awarded to qualified forestry students who have attained at least junior academic standing and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to students who have served as officers in specific registered student organizations.

“The permanency of this scholarship through an endowment option was particularly attractive. This investment will grow over time and support students for generations to come,” he says.

“There are no self-made people. We all had help along the way and owe something to society. There’s no better way to accomplish this than to assist young students in financing an education that will pave the way to their futures.”

A basketball scholarship brought a star athlete at Sparta High School, Harold Bardo, to Southern Illinois University in 1957. He understands first-hand the importance of financial assistance in higher education.

As he reflects on an association with SIU spanning more than 50 years, Bardo says this scholarship paved the way for him.

“I was fortunate because my parents couldn’t have afforded to pay my tuition,” he says. “Many young people are in that situation today. They are unable to attend college without some kind of assistance or aid. It is sorely needed.”

And now students are afforded an opportunity to receive support through a scholarship named in honor of Bardo, who retired as longtime Director of SIU’s Medical/Dental Education Preparatory (MEDPREP) program in May.

The School of Medicine will award a $10,000 scholarship annually in Bardo’s honor. The award will be presented to a graduate of MEDPREP, a program which strives to provide support to qualified students who are members of underrepresented populations pursuing careers in the health profession. The recipient must also be a graduating senior in the School of Medicine.

Kevin Dorsey, dean of the School of Medicine, established the scholarship because he says MEDPREP graduates often hail from families of lower income, and they absorb additional debt in the process of earning their baccalaureate degree, and subsequently attending medical school. This scholarship will assist recipients by offsetting their debt. He hopes to create an endowment that will foster additional support.

Additionally, Dorsey says it is an appropriate way to honor Bardo, who has a passion for students.

“Harold really cares about these young people and often speaks of their success stories,” Dorsey says. “Under his leadership, close to 1,000 students have graduated from MEDPREP. Harold’s impact can be measured via the multiplier effect when you consider that these graduates proceed to take care of underserved populations. It indicates how Harold has been an enabling force for this institution.”

Bardo, who holds three degrees from SIU, says he appreciates Dorsey and the School of Medicine recognizing him in this fashion. “This is quite an honor. It is gratifying that the dean established an award in my honor that will help our students. I’m sincerely appreciative and plan on contributing to this scholarship fund as well.”

If you would like to contribute to the scholarship named in honor of Dr. Harold Bardo, please call Director of Development Pat Moline at 618/453-4900.

Bequests totaling more than $1 million will enhance student scholarship, teaching and research opportunities in two Southern Illinois University Carbondale departments.

Lowell and Janet Anderson, of Morristown, N.J., left $700,000 to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The couple died just weeks apart in late 2012. Lowell Anderson, a native of Burnt Prairie, Ill., in White County, earned a bachelor’s degree from SIU Carbondale in 1956.

Cornelia “Connie” Wilber, of Westfield, N.J., also passed away in 2012, leaving $366,300 to the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education. She earned a doctorate with a major in education in 1977 from the university.

The chemistry and biochemistry department is developing a five-year plan for use of the funds. Gary Kinsel, professor and chair, said he expects some funds will support a small number of large scholarships for academically high-performing students majoring in chemistry. The gift also will support a number of smaller annual undergraduate scholarships, and a “modest amount” will support a number of summer research scholarship awards to graduate students in the program.

“This type of alumni support is absolutely critical to the success of our program,” Kinsel said.

Todd Headrick, professor and chair of educational psychology and special education, said the Wilber gift will benefit the three programs in the department: special education, counselor education, and educational measurement and statistics. Special education is the only program area that offers an undergraduate degree program in the department.

He said funds will go toward technology updates needed for teaching and scholarly work; accreditation expenses; licenses for software updates; and helping with the costs of faculty and graduate students participating in professional development.

Marsha and Gary Bertrand were raised in a modest, small Illinois farming community of 1,400 people. Today, the Austin, Texas, couple is committed to supporting young people in similar circumstances through gifts to their alma maters.

“Education has been essential in our lives. Neither one of us could have accomplished our career goals without it,” Marsha says.

Marsha, who graduated in 1970 from SIU with an associate’s degree in business, is a freelance writer with expertise in investment, finance, and business-related topics. Her work has been published in a variety of newspapers and magazines, and she is the author of four books: “The Consumer Guide to the Stock Market,” “Getting Started in Investment Clubs,” “A Woman’s Guide to Savvy Investing” and “Fraud! How to Protect Yourself from Schemes, Scams, and Swindles.”

While Marsha was in Carbondale, Gary was in the Air Force stationed in South Carolina serving our country. He enrolled at the University of South Carolina, completing courses at night toward his accounting degree. After college, Gary was in banking for 10 years, and subsequently purchased a Chicago-based company that specialized in glued magazine inserts for publications such as Time, Newsweek, and Readers Digest. He sold his company in 1994.

The couple is striving to make their respective alma maters beneficiaries of their good fortune. The Bertrands recently presented SIU with $1 million to establish the Bertrand Foundation Scholarship Endowment. Awards will be presented after the endowment generates earnings (they are doing the same for University of South Carolina) and they have made provisions to support SIU through a deferred estate gift.

“Our scholarships are earmarked for middle-income families, which is the environment we grew up in,” Gary says. “Several scholarship programs are in place to support low-income families. And those with high income don’t require such support. Marsha and I have been fortunate to enjoy success through our careers and various investments. We don’t have any children, so we decided it was best to provide scholarship support for our schools.”

The Bertrands, high school sweethearts who will celebrate 44 years of marriage in October, say education set the tone for their success.

“I had never been away from home. SIU broadened my perspective in addition to fostering independence and maturity. I became a different person,” says Marsha, who subsequently earned an M.B.A. at Lake Forest School of Management in 1982. “I made lifelong friends and we keep in touch. Four of us meet annually. It is special to have friends like that, and I owe it to SIU.”

Gary says his college experience had a similar impact on him.

“The military was an eye-opener for me, and education was the difference,” he says. “I realized the need for a degree and it was made possible through the G.I. Bill. I wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise. We want to pass that opportunity on to others.”

Marsha expressed pride in her alma mater after a recent visit. “Our enhanced library is beautiful and I didn’t even recognize the Student Center,” she says. “It is great to see my school progressing in this fashion.”

For more information on how to establish an endowment through the SIU Foundation, visit www.siuf.org. Also, for details regarding deferred gift options, visit our new gift planning website at: www.siufgiving.org, or e-mail: giftplanning@siuf.org.

Dorothy J. (D.J.) Ramp’s family knows first-hand how much she values higher education. She and her late husband, Wayne, were staunch supporters of their children and grandchildren as they pursued advanced degrees.

So on Valentine’s Day in February, family members knew exactly how to pay homage to Dorothy. Her family pooled their resources together to establish the Dorothy J. Ramp Endowed Scholarship for School Counseling through the SIU Foundation to reward SIU students pursuing careers in this field of study.

Dorothy, who received a master’s in Counseling from SIU in 1959, served as an academic advisor at the University and is a former elementary education teacher.

“I was trying to figure out a way to financially support students pursuing a master’s in School Counseling. But before I got it figured out, my family established this scholarship in my name on Valentine’s Day – it was a total surprise,” Dorothy says. “I know this award will be presented to a worthy SIU counseling student and I am thrilled to support that mission.”

Dorothy, 90, says her devotion to education dates back to her upbringing. She benefited from a supportive environment and aspired to provide the same to her children and grandchildren, in addition to SIU students she encountered.

“Many children need counseling at a young age. I want them to have well-trained professionals helping them,” she says. “Young people endure bullying and other challenges in today’s world. Therefore, I believe supporting counselor education is important because good counselors in the schools can affect children and their families for years to come.”

Dorothy’s daughter, Susan (Ramp) Ridout, a professor at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Ind., sees her mom on a daily basis. She says family members were aware of her mother’s desire to financially support SIU’s Counseling students. Susan says she and her brothers, their spouses, and Dorothy’s grandchildren contributed funds to establish the endowment.

The family ordered a cake with writing indicating the name of the endowment, and presented a certificate to their mother/grandmother as their Valentine’s Day surprise.

“Mom was touched. We couldn’t have done anything better,” she says. “All of us are going to continue honoring her at different points by making additional gifts to the endowment. And now that the scholarship is established, Mom has made contributions, as well.”

Susan refers to her parents as “great proponents of education.” She and her brothers, Stephen and David, each have advanced degrees, and all of the grandchildren have followed suit by attending college and completing requirements for bachelor’s degrees. Some of the grandchildren have advanced degrees, as well.

“Mom and Dad were instrumental in each of us realizing the importance of education. They also believed in reaching out and supporting others in some fashion. Scholarships honor what young people are accomplishing,” Susan says. “We’re all thrilled that this has come to fruition and look forward to seeing which deserving student receives the award this spring.”

Susan says her father, Wayne Ramp, who taught Vocational Education for 25 years at SIU, was always appreciative of an endowed scholarship that his students established in his name. It was a retirement gift to Wayne. The family and former students have continued contributing to the scholarship for more than 3 decades, realizing how essential it is to help others as they pursue a college education.

Dorothy says she and Wayne have always been proud of their children and grandchildren for taking education seriously.

“My husband and I always believed in the power of higher education and helped support our kids and grandkids as they attended college. Our family understands the importance of attaining a quality education,” she says. “Now, I am thrilled that my children and grandchildren have started supporting two scholarships through the SIU Foundation. It is great when, upon special occasions, I open a letter that says a contribution has been made to the SIU Foundation to support school counselors.”

If you would like to give the gift of an endowed scholarship to honor someone special to you, contact the SIU Foundation at (618) 453-4906.

CARBONDALE, Ill. — It has been more than 66 years since David Rendleman entered Southern Illinois University Carbondale as a pre-med student. And his fondness for the university has never wavered.

The Anna native, who practiced medicine for 31 years in Carbondale and served close to 40 years in the medical field, enrolled at SIU Carbondale in 1947. Shortly afterward, legendary SIU President Delyte Morris assumed the reins at the university.

“I benefited from some outstanding instructors in the pre-med program. And Delyte Morris was the perfect man to serve as president because he was a great ambassador and representative for our university,” David said. “It was a great experience to attend SIU during that period of time. The university and city of Carbondale were springing to life.”

Rendleman and his wife, Mary, want students to continue to enjoy such experiences. The couple recently contributed $100,000 to the David F. and Mary G. Rendleman Pre-Med Scholarship that they originally established in 2010. The award is presented annually to an incoming freshman who is a graduate of Anna-Jonesboro Community High School — or another neighboring Southern Illinois high school in Union, Williamson, Alexander or Pulaski counties — with a desire to study pre-med at SIU.

“Anna is the primary focus because I received a wonderful education there during the 1930s. It was during the Depression. But we had good teachers, which prepared and enabled me to get into Southern, and subsequently, med school,” David said. “In the event we don’t receive an applicant from Anna pursuing a pre-med degree, we are more than willing to honor a student from one of the surrounding counties.”

The Rendlemans are committed to making a difference in the lives of SIU students. And in the process, they admit it has been a gratifying experience.

“We have received nice notes from recipients of the scholarship,” Mary said. “They tell us that attaining their education wouldn’t have been possible without this award. That does make us feel good because it’s the reason we continue to support SIU in this fashion.”

The Rendleman family has a longstanding relationship with SIU. David’s brother, John, studied pre-law at SIU Carbondale before serving as its legal counsel, and later serving as Chancellor at SIU Edwardsville. SIU has been responsible for the education of the Rendlemans’ three daughters — Jill, who received her master’s degree from SIU Carbondale in 1979 and has proceeded to attain success in agricultural business; Amy, a registered nurse, who earned her nursing degree at SIU Edwardsville and Laurie, a dermatologist in Lexington, Ky., who received a medical degree from SIU Carbondale in 1995.

David, who graduated from the University of Illinois in 1954, served two years in the Navy and completed his residency at Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago in 1961. He met Mary, a Vandalia native, as he was graduating from medical school and she was completing nursing training. They lived in Chicago, where David spent four years in surgical training. While they enjoyed what Chicago had to offer, they chose to return to Southern Illinois to raise their children.

The couple has been married for 59 years.

“We’ve had some wonderful years here in Carbondale. It is a great place to raise a family and we love it here,” Mary said.

David concurs.

“It’s been a great life for us and Carbondale is a wonderful town,” he said. “The university has always been a driving economic engine of this region. As a result, we have met some fine people. There are many cultural advantages here and we are big Saluki sports fans.

“Southern Illinois has been a very satisfying place for us to live.”

Four students who earned the Harrisonville Telephone Company/Henry W. Gentsch Memorial Scholarship are pursuing their degrees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

HarrisonvilleEach recipient receives a four-year, $1,000 per year scholarship. The Harrisonville Telephone Company/Henry W. Gentsch Memorial Scholars, pictured left to right, are:

For more than a century, Harrisonville Telephone Company has served customers in Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair counties. Harrisonville Telephone Company provides communication services, which currently include voice, broadband, Internet and video, allowing the company to give back generously to the residents of its customer service area.

H.R. Gentsch, president and CEO, says the scholarship fund honors his late father, Henry W. Gentsch, whose telecommunications career spanned nearly 73 years. The elder Gentsch, who was born in Campbell Hill, began his tenure with Harrisonville Telephone Company in 1945 as a director. Following a 35-year career with AT&T Corp., he joined Harrisonville Telephone Company full-time in 1962, serving as president and chairman of the board until his retirement, and continued serving as a director until his death in 2000.

To qualify for this scholarship award, applicants must reside in the Harrisonville Telephone Company exchange areas of Waterloo, Columbia, Red Bud, Renault, Valmeyer, Prairie du Rocher, or Dupo, and parents or guardians of the candidates must be current and continuing land line telephone customers of Harrisonville Telephone Company. The award is focused on recognizing academic merit, school and community service, and financial need.

Students interested in applying for the Harrisonville Telephone Company/Henry W. Gentsch Memorial Scholarship, and over 1,000 other scholarship opportunities through SIU, should visit SIU’s General Scholarship Application and Searchable Database found at: siu.academicworks.com

By Rae Goldsmith

CARBONDALE, Ill. — James Greenwood enrolled at Southern Illinois University in 1961 because it was one of only a few universities that could accommodate his wheelchair. More than 50 years later he and his wife, Martha, left the university a $1.3 million gift to support other SIU students with disabilities.

The Jim and Martha Greenwood Fund, created through the Greenwoods’ estate, will provide scholarships for students with disabilities who are studying science and engineering, said SIU Chancellor Rita Cheng. The first scholarships will be awarded in Fall 2014.

“The Greenwoods left a powerful legacy by supporting the institution that welcomed him in the ‘60s, well before the Americans with Disabilities Act required campuses to be accessible,” Cheng said. “Jim Greenwood remained a Saluki throughout his life, and we couldn’t be prouder or more grateful that he and Martha are making it possible for other students with disabilities to attend SIU.”

Jim Greenwood grew up in Maine. A June 1961 newspaper story about his graduation from Gorham High School, where he was senior class president and manager of the football team, says he chose SIU because “it specializes in conveniences for handicapped students.”

Years later, in 1999, he told a community publication in Florida that SIU “had entire dormitory floors designed for the disabled.”

“Few other schools had these resources,” he added, “and I was able to earn both an undergraduate and master’s degree.”

After graduation, Greenwood was hired by IBM to work in its personnel department. He closed his 29-year career with the company as regional manager for national college recruiting in Atlanta. Along the way he reconnected with Martha, an artist and art teacher who was his high school sweetheart.

The Greenwoods enjoyed retirement in Florida until his death in May 2009. Martha Greenwood died in January 2013.

Jim Greenwood was a life member of the SIU Alumni Association and was active in its Central Florida Chapter. He was a close friend of former SIU quarterback and athletics director Jim Hart, who played football for the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Redskins.

“Jim was a couple of years older than I was, but we both lived at Thompson Point,” Hart said. “Like everyone else there, I quickly noticed how friendly Jim was. He never let his disability keep him from doing anything — I can’t stress that enough. Whether it was attending sporting events or going to Shryock Auditorium, Jim was always there with us. The physical challenges never seemed to impact his college life, and he was one of the most popular students I was ever around.”

The two men stayed in touch after graduation. Hart said that whenever the football Cardinals traveled to play the New York Giants, Greenwood attended the game and connected with Hart after he left the locker room.

“It is a wonderful tribute to the Greenwoods that their legacy will in part help students have the same wonderful experience at SIU that Jim enjoyed,” Hart said.

Greg Cook, president of the SIU Foundation, said the Greenwoods’ gift establishes an endowment that will generate annual scholarships and encourage students studying engineering and the sciences.

“It also recognizes the quality of education and student life Mr. Greenwood found at SIU,” Cook said. “He came because SIU had a national reputation for assisting students with disabilities. When he arrived, the facilities did accommodate him. But even more importantly, the faculty, student services staff and fellow students embraced him and provided him with an outstanding educational experience that he remembered for the rest of his life.”

The creation of the Greenwood Fund reinforces SIU’s long history serving students with disabilities, said Sam Goodin, director of Disability Support Services for the university.

“Today, we work with more than 500 students, many of whom have medical expenses and need costly equipment,” Goodin said. “Scholarships like those provided by the Greenwoods will make a very positive difference.”

Nicole Swarringin, a current SIU student from Ellis Grove, Ill., says the university continues to serve students with disabilities effectively.

“Not only is SIU accessible for disabled students,” said the sophomore biological sciences major, “but it is also accommodating to each student’s individual needs.”