Bright and early on the first day of August, the distance between Chicago and Southern Illinois got a little shorter.

That morning, Chancellor Austin Lane, state Sen. Dale Fowler, and others from SIU and the region boarded the first Contour Airlines flight from Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

“It’s an area we recruit. Our students that are from Southern Illinois are able now to get to Chicago,” Lane said before the flight on Aug. 1. “This is a game changer for the university as we continue to grow the enrollment.”

These daily flights can take up to 30 passengers from Marion to Chicago in about an hour, cutting travel time by about 80 percent compared to driving to the Windy City.

“There are around 45,000 SIU alumni around the Chicago area. This makes it much easier for us to engage with them, and it makes it more likely that they will come visit SIU,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation.

In recent years, the SIU Foundation has hosted multiple outreach events in and around Chicago, including the Saluki Takeover Tour last fall and Saluki Ball, a fundraising event this spring.

This year’s Saluki Takeover Tour in Chicago takes place from Wednesday, Sept. 6, through Saturday, Sept. 9. The cornerstone event will be the Chancellor’s Reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant. The takeover will conclude with an alumni tailgate and Saluki Football game against Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. To register for these events and many others, visit siuf.org/chicago.

“SIU is making its presence felt in Chicago, and the response to these events has been overwhelmingly positive,” Kupec said. “These flights are a catalyst for more engagement with Salukis in Chicago and beyond.”

Beyond the Chicago-to-Southern Illinois route, O’Hare has connecting flights across the country and around the globe. With about 250,000 alumni located all over the world, it has never been easier for alumni abroad to visit their alma mater.

“If you get on one of these flights, you’re going to see Salukis,” Kupec said. “Between university representatives and general alumni, they’re going to be full of maroon shirts.”

Tickets start as low as $59 per flight and can be purchased at contourairlines.com.

By Jeff Wilson

The SIU Foundation received a record-breaking number of gifts in FY23, leading to the organization’s second-best fundraising year.

Through 38,621 gifts, the Foundation raised over $31.2 million. It also awarded a record number of scholarships (1,645) and total scholarship dollars ($4,931,584) to students. Over 14 percent of all SIU students received an SIU Foundation scholarship in FY23.

In the last two years, the SIU Foundation has raised nearly $64 million, which is, by far, the most the organization has raised over a two-year period. Since the beginning of the Forever SIU campaign, the Foundation has raised more than $287 million on its way to its $500 million goal by June of 2028.

“We have received incredible support from our donors,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and SIU Foundation CEO. “There has a been a wave of momentum leading us to these heights, and that momentum is continuing today.”

Championed by Chancellor Austin Lane and his leadership team, the Forever SIU campaign continues to align with the pillars of the Imagine 2030 strategic plan – student engagement and success, diversity, equity, and inclusion, branding and partnerships, research and innovation, and sustainability.

“As we continue to move forward with the campaign, we are going to see even greater synergy with the bold strategic plan set forth by Chancellor Lane,” Kupec said. “With continued support from our alumni and friends, we know the best days are still ahead.”

The SIU Foundation’s outreach efforts connect with alumni and donors in Southern Illinois and across the country. The SIU Day of Giving, which began in 2017, received support from more people than ever before. This year’s Day of Giving brought in more than $4 million from 3,702 gifts.

The Foundation hosted Saluki Takeover Tours in Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Tennessee, and the Florida Gulf Coast. During these events, alumni meet with university leaders, gather with friends, and rekindle connections. This year, Southern Illinois and Springfield will be added to the takeover tour schedule.

In April, the Foundation hosted the inaugural Saluki Ball at the Marriott Marquis in Chicago. The event was attended by 618 people and raised more than $600,000 in funds that bridge the gap for students who need a little extra assistance to complete their education at SIU.

“From the Day of Giving to the Takeover Tours to the Saluki Ball, we have seen the greatest groundswell of alumni support in the history of this university,” Kupec said. “Honestly, it’s been inspiring, and we’re excited to see what’s next.”

To learn more or make a gift, visit siuf.org.

The Stonewall Inn demonstrations of 1969 marked a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights, leading to the establishment of Pride Month being celebrated in June.  Pride Month is a time when we recognize and celebrate our LGBTQ+ friends, colleagues, and family members who have fought through the years to be recognized and respected for the individuals they are.

Pride month is an excellent opportunity to show your support and learn more about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer (LGBTQ) Resource Center. The Center serves students, faculty, staff, families, friends, alumni, and the greater community of Southern Illinois by providing conscientious educational outreach, programming, referral information, and advocacy to affect the overall SIU culture of inclusion and systematic support surrounding LGBTQ+ community members, promote LGBTQ+ student and employee retention, develop LGBTQ+ leaders, strengthen relationships, as well as provide opportunities for intrapersonal development.

Your generous gift to the LGBTQ Center Programming Fund will support programs and activities such as:

• Lavender Graduation
• Queer Mentorship program
• Safe Zone Trainings
• Pride Floor life skills workshop

Your support significantly impacts and plays a vital role in supporting LGBTQ students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Make a gift online to support the LGBTQ Center Programming Fund.

Please contact Sherrica Hunt, assistant vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion, to learn more about opportunities to support the LGBTQ community.

The SIU Foundation and Saluki Athletics are looking toward a bright future with the hiring of Todd Reeser as assistant vice chancellor for athletic fundraising and executive deputy director of athletics.

Beginning June 1, Reeser will spearhead fundraising and alumni engagement initiatives for Saluki Athletics. He will leverage his nearly 35 years of professional experience in athletics fundraising to help guide Saluki Athletics into an exciting, new era.

Reeser comes to SIU after nearly a decade as the director of athletics at Columbus State University in Georgia. Previously, he served in athletics leadership and fundraising roles at Georgia State University, the University of Central Florida, Illinois State University, and Drake University.

“Todd Reeser has been successful across the landscape of collegiate athletics, and his expertise is going to give Saluki Athletics a leg up on the competition,” said Matt Kupec, SIU’s vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation.

During his tenure at CSU, the Cougars won 51 Peach Belt Conference championships and 10 NCAA Southeast Regional titles; CSU student-athletes maintained a 3.0-grade point average; and the university earned two Peach Belt Conference Presidents Academic Awards.

He has also overseen the opening of the world-class John W. Walden Tennis Facility, Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field (baseball), and the Key Golf Studio. He founded and developed the Girls in the Game fundraising initiative, which highlights CSU’s female student-athletes and has brought icons such as Brandi Chastain, Annika Sorenstam, Jennie Finch, and Tamika Catchings to the CSU campus.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Todd in the past, and he is one of the most forward-thinking and experienced fundraisers in the business,” said Tim Leonard, SIU’s director of intercollegiate athletics. “I know he’s excited to return home to Illinois and looks forward to engaging with our alumni, donors, and the community.”

Reeser has been a member of the National Association of College Directors of Athletics and the National Association of Athletic Development Directors throughout his career. A graduate of Leadership Columbus, Reeser has also served previously on the Columbus Sports Council. He also served as the vice chair of the Peach Belt Conference Athletics Director Council.

“I look forward to joining the team at SIU and helping to advance and build upon the rich history of success for which the Salukis are widely known,” Reeser said.

A Chenoa, Illinois, native, he played baseball at Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in general finance. He earned a master’s in sports administration from St. Thomas University in Miami.

He and his wife, Janet, have three adult children.

On April 14, the SIU Foundation hosted a Men of Color: Advancing Impact in Philanthropy Dinner. Wendell Williams, SIU’s Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Enrollment, led the intimate event and offered the following information to attendees: A brief overview of SIU’s current enrollment, a projection of SIU’s growth over the next 5 years, and an estimation of scholarship and support funds needed to support African American male students at SIU.

SIU alums and corporate partners shared stories of accomplishment, each recounting the part that SIU played in their journey to success. They also discussed how they may continue to support student success by giving back.

The following funds were created below from attendees.

• Darius Robinson (’95) endowed the Darius Robinson Scholarship Fund to assist students who graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in East St. Louis.
• Chad Pendleton (’97) endowed the Pendleton Family Bridging the Gap Fund to assist underrepresented students with need-based funding.
• Wendell Williams endowed the Wendell and Gloria Family Scholarship to assist underrepresented students in financial need.

If you would like to inquire about ways to give back to SIU, please contact Sherrica Hunt, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the SIU Foundation, at sherricah@foundation.siu.edu.

Sean Boston came to SIU with a plan: Play basketball and finish his business degree. While he accomplished those goals, his path wasn’t as straightforward as he originally planned.

“I feel like I have a pretty good story to tell,” he said. “I transferred to SIU to play for Coach (Rich) Herrin. It was an exciting time. I didn’t know how monumental that new beginning would be.”

Playing on a highly successful 1991-92 Saluki Men’s Basketball team, Boston was surrounded by talent. Multiple players from that team went on to play professionally, either in the NBA or overseas. A torn knee ligament cut Boston’s season short and put his focus on life after basketball.

“I developed huge camaraderie, both in Athletics and the College of Business, and was able to forge relationships and opportunities that lasted a lifetime,” he said.

During his senior year, the dean of the College of Business and Assistant Basketball Coach Rodney Watson strongly encouraged Boston to interview with Chrysler Corporation, as it visited SIU to recruit for open roles. Little did he know the greatest assist came from an SIU College of Business Hall of Fame alumnus, Ted Cunningham. Ted, the third highest ranking official at Chrysler, challenged his corporate staff to hire SIU graduates when recruiting new candidates to join the auto manufacturer. The interview was for a field sales position with Chrysler’s Mopar Parts division.

“Since it was a month from graduation, I had already packed my interview suit and shipped it back home to Chicago. Although I was mentally prepared for the in-person interview, my casual under-dressed attire wasn’t the impression I was trying to establish. Thank goodness for the amazing chemistry I was able to share with Harry G. Mathis (Mopar – Southeast Team Leader) as he hired me and another College of Business alumnus Tim Richardson,” Boston said. “At that time, I hadn’t realized how important that one verbal assist Ted Cunningham made would launch my professional career. I accepted the field sales position with Chrysler in Columbia, South Carolina, and I give all credit for that opportunity to SIU, as it paved the way for my career.”

In 1998, Boston earned an MBA from the University of Detroit. Nowadays, he is the director of marketing & sales effectiveness for Ace Hardware Corporation’s Wholesale Division – Emery Jensen.

Boston has also stayed involved with his alma mater. In 2012, he established an endowed scholarship that supports students in the College of Business. He’s also a member of the college’s Hall of Fame and was honored with its Distinguished Service Award. More recently, he joined the SIU Foundation Board of Directors.

“Everyone has to take their own path, and SIU gives everyone a fighting chance to fulfill their ambition,” he said. “We must make sure we’re making an impact in the community, both locally and in areas such as St. Louis and Chicago. Through philanthropy, we are planting the seeds of success with our students and catapulting them to bright futures.”

Boston also sees the value of expanding scholarship opportunities for all students.

“Scholarships are going to play a more pivotal role than ever before, with economic headwinds arriving in the near future,” he said. “We should aim to widen the scope of our scholarships. They should be accessible and attainable for more students. We can nurture our high-achieving students, but we must not alienate the middle-of-the-road students. They, too, will become the leaders of tomorrow.”

The SIU Foundation has more outreach events than ever before – the annual Day of Giving, Takeover Tours across the country, and the inaugural Saluki Ball in Chicago – and Boston is ready to help at every turn possible.

“I really appreciate the ability to be a proud Saluki,” he said. “I’m ready to do all I can to put the organization on the map and provide the next assist where possible.”

By Jeff Wilson

When Dean Hong Cheng looks at the College of Arts and Media (CAM), he sees opportunities and great potential.

“We are going to make our college a premier destination for prospective students,” he said. “We want to be a leader, both nationally and internationally, in the field of arts and media.”

To make these aspirations a reality, Cheng outlined how the college must embrace technology, value teaching, research, and creative activity, engage itself in communities, and remain mission driven.

“In CAM, we have a unique blend of artists, designers, performers, scholars, and writers,” he said. “We must grow our visibility, integrate holistically, and provide a meaningful contribution.”

Always the forward thinker, Cheng noted the impact that artificial intelligence will have not only on the world, but his college specifically.

“AI is not just for STEM programs,” he said. “It will impact everyone, and we in CAM are no exception. While more work is done by machines, creativity is much harder to replace.”

We are in the beginning of a Feeling Economy, one in which the most valuable skills are things such as empathy, communication, establishing and maintaining relationships, and spreading influence. With six unique schools – Architecture, Art and Design, Journalism and Advertising, Media Arts, Music, and Theater and Dance – Cheng said the college will be at the center of this revolution.

“All six of the schools within CAM are distinctive,” Cheng said. “We have a glorious past and an even brighter future. What we do is going to be more important than ever before.”

Cheng knows what it will take to ensure CAM is a leader in all its fields. A much-anticipated, state-funded upgrade to the Communications Building, one of the college’s major facilities, is just one step.

“We must elevate our facility,” he said. “We must be able to upgrade our technology now, and once this building renovation is completed, we will need to fill those rooms with state-of-the-art equipment and space for interdisciplinary collaboration.”

He is also dedicated to expanding professional development for faculty.

“To recruit and retain the best students, we must be able to recruit and retain world-class faculty,” Cheng said. “Doing that means funding travel and conference attendance. To increase enrollment, we must ensure we have the best people.”

While he may be new to campus, Cheng is grateful for CAM’s illustrious history and dedicated alumni base.

“I’m so impressed by the achievements our schools and programs have made over the years,” he said. “There are so many opportunities for our alumni to make a difference. We have naming opportunities all around us – from single rooms to the entire building to the college and its six schools. With the support of anyone who is passionate about arts and media, we can make great things happen.”

To learn more about CAM, contact Lisa Knight, Director of Development, at 618-453-4719. To make a gift online, visit cam.siu.edu/give.