By Rebecca Renshaw

“Live long and prosper.” Most people are familiar with the Vulcan greeting of Mr. Spock in the television series “Star Trek,” which debuted in 1966 and went off the air just one month before Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. Growing up in Decatur, Illinois, Robert Dennis was fascinated by “Star Trek” and its vision of outer space and space travel.

Both the reality of the moonwalk and the fantasy of “Star Trek” fueled Dennis’ desire to be an astronaut. Unfortunately, poor eyesight and a growth spurt dashed his hopes of physically traveling in outer space.

But he could still dream about it.

“I realized right then that if I couldn’t get into space as an astronaut, then maybe I could go to California and make a movie about space,” he says.

To do that, he would have to do more than dream. He would have to learn the art and science of cinematography.

So Dennis set his sights on SIU.

During his first few days on campus, two things surprised him. The first was a professor who announced to a room full of new students that “if you are in this class to get a job in Hollywood, you may as well walk right out the door.” At that defining moment, Dennis decided that not only would he go to Hollywood, but that he would become a success as well.

The other surprising revelation was that filmmaking had little resemblance to the shows he had watched growing up.

“Looking back with 20/20 hindsight, I now know that SIU gave me a deeper appreciation for film – especially experimental, documentary and independent filmmaking,” he says. “SIU opened my mind to a whole world of filmmaking that had nothing to do with my childhood dreams of ‘Star Trek.’ ”

Upon graduating from SIU, Dennis got his master’s degree from the University of Southern California, a widely respected film school that also claims George Lucas as one of its most accomplished alums. Dennis soon met his wife, Patricia, also a USC alum who now serves as senior vice president for The CW television network.

Dennis’ career included working at Lucasfilm, becoming elected as president of the Large Format Cinema Association and serving as a director of post production for HBO Pictures. Dennis also served on a post supervision team for film restoration and preservation at Walt Disney Studios as well as overseeing the 70mm “IMAX” laboratory services at Technicolor. While he and his wife forged successful careers in the challenging world of filmmaking, the couple also shares a strong commitment to the power of education.

That brings us back to Mr. Spock’s desire that others “live long and prosper.”

While Robert and Patricia Dennis have certainly fulfilled that goal, they understand that others may need a hand to do the same. Several years ago, the couple established the Robert Dennis Filmmaking Award, which is given to an outstanding SIU student filmmaker for his or her accomplishments in cinematography.

This past spring they began revamping their wills and recognized it made the best financial sense to establish a revocable family trust. With no children of their own and no extended family members to provide for, the couple determined that they wanted to see most of their estate gift go to youths who really need the help.

They both immediately thought of SIU.

“Patricia and I understand how tough this business can be for young people,” Dennis says. “Patricia listened to my stories about SIU, and the important part it played in my life. We both decided to give back to SIU and encourage students with financial help who need it to continue their filmmaking education.”

The Dennis’ estimated $1.3 million gift is the largest estate gift in the history of the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

“When we finalized the trust, we sent off a note to the SIU Foundation announcing our decision – and the reaction was amazing,” Dennis says. “We often ask ourselves, ‘How is it that we turned out to be the people who have pledged this amount to the school? Why haven’t others done the same?’ We’ve already set aside resources for others. It is just the right thing to do to help kids out who can use it more than us.”

WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 17, 2016) – Cessna Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced it has selected the following university partners for the 2017 Top Hawk program: Eastern Kentucky University, The Ohio State University, Auburn University, Southern Illinois University and Louisiana Tech University. Each university will take delivery of a new, custom branded Cessna Skyhawk 172 aircraft in early 2017 to support flight training, recruiting efforts and promotional activities at their respective universities throughout the year.

“Each year, the Top Hawk program continues to expand its reach and we are excited to grow the program with five university partners this year,” said Doug May, vice president, Piston Aircraft. “These universities are renowned for their innovative aviation programs and we are confident they will represent the Top Hawk program and Cessna brand very well as we work together to provide students state-of-the art resources and empower them to choose a rewarding career in aviation.”

Textron Aviation continues to seek top aviation programs to collaborate with and support the advancement of general aviation and the modernization of aircraft training fleets. The company currently works with several universities, training organizations and flight schools throughout the world to support the next generation of aviators and the Top Hawk program plays a vital role in this strategy.

In addition to the aircraft, the top students from each of the five universities will be chosen for a Textron Aviation summer internship. These students will receive valuable exposure beyond flight training to include real world experience from various corporate departments such as sales, marketing, flight operations, integrated supply chain and engineering to promote a career in aviation.

About the Cessna Skyhawk 172
The Skyhawk is the world standard for pilot training and is renowned for offering the best combination of modern features, including the Garmin G1000 avionics system and proven dependability. The aircraft’s high-wing design enables superior flying characteristics ideally suited for pilot training. More Skyhawks have been delivered to customers around the world than any other type of aircraft, with more than 43,000 in service since 1955.

A man who served his country for more than 20 years in the United States Air Force is giving back to his alma mater.

Terry Asher, a 1979 SIU engineering graduate, and his wife, Susan, are making a $1-million estate gift to the university to support SIU’s general scholarship fund for engineering.

“Giving back to SIU has been in the back of my mind for some time,” he says. “My decision to attend SIU was a fork in the road for me. I was the first in my family to go to college. I liked the engineering program, the professors and the campus. SIU welcomes everyone and opens its doors to people from lower-income backgrounds.”

Terry and Susan are both retired USAF officers and have no children. So he says they had the resources to help young people succeed at SIU.

Terry, who currently serves as Adams County Treasurer in Quincy, Ill., chose SIU because of its engineering program. He also discovered the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program through a friend who was a recruiter.

“I joined ROTC in my junior year. This program and my engineering degree opened up some wonderful opportunities for me,” he says.

He received an Air Force commission and evaluated foreign space systems in his first assignment as an intelligence analyst. Asher proceeded to ascend to leadership roles in various intelligence, space operations and engineering assignments, including serving on two national level committees in Washington, D.C. He met his wife, Susan while both supported a special military project. In his last assignment he led a division of 80 military and civilians in five branch offices. He retired as lieutenant colonel in 2002.

“Whether it’s the military or another large organization, an individual is more valuable as a part of a team effort,” he says. “I had some great and challenging assignments. The Air Force was a great fit for me.”

After his military retirement, the Ashers returned to his hometown area near Quincy and served in numerous volunteer positions. Terry was offered the chance to run for Country Treasurer when the previous treasurer decided to retire. He was elected in 2010 and is currently serving in his second term.

“My leadership background comes in handy when I’m dealing with the public,” he says. “The broad education I received at SIU has been an asset throughout my career in the Air Force and now as county treasurer. I wouldn’t be in this position without the education I received at SIU. It’s only natural for me to make this gift so someone else can have the same opportunity.”

If you would like to make a gift through your estate or some other gift planning option, please contact Pat Moline at (618) 453.4947, or, patm@foundation.siu.edu.

While growing up in Vincennes, Ind., Carolyn WarmSun recalls her parents stressing the importance of education. She set college as a goal. However, her family’s limited financial resources meant WarmSun would have to develop a plan on her own.

She heard about Southern Illinois University through a friend. The university offered monetary support enabling her to enroll and WarmSun received a student worker position on campus.

“Tuition was $62 but I didn’t have any money,” she says. “The early portion of my life was a real struggle. I wouldn’t have received a college education without SIU.”
The vibrant 1968 psychology graduate was moved by a DVD she received from her alma mater about a decade ago. The DVD promoted SIU’s efforts to provide financial assistance for students who demonstrate need.

“SIU was striving to help first-generation students – like myself – who were the first in their family to attend college,” she says. “I had always thought that if I ever had more money than I needed to live on, SIU would be the place I wanted it to go.”

A fine artist and painter, WarmSun develops images alone in her Oakland, Calif.-based home studio. Now, she is creating brighter futures for students following in her footsteps. WarmSun and her husband, Larry Cooke, created The Carolyn Holloman WarmSun Scholarship by naming the SIU Foundation as a beneficiary of their retirement assets. The scholarships will support financially needy students from WarmSun’s native rural southern Indiana in addition to rural southern Illinois.

WarmSun aspires to help young people who are in the midst of similar circumstances that she encountered en route to SIU.

“I’ve always had angels looking out for me in my life. They provided encouragement and steered me in the right direction,” she says. “This is an opportunity for me to do for others what they did for me— paying it forward.”

WarmSun’s journey to a college education wasn’t easy. Personal issues led to WarmSun withdrawing from the university during her sophomore year. WarmSun’s father secured a $300 bank loan for her, and she left the Midwest for New York City.

She worked at Chase Manhattan Bank during the day and attended New York University at night. Co-workers were particularly supportive.

“New York was a thrilling experience in many respects,” she says. “I met some wonderful people who took me under their wing. I’ve been blessed to have individuals in my life who saw potential in me and were in my corner.

“They prepared me to return to SIU. I was ready.”

The University once again provided financial assistance and WarmSun became a perennial Dean’s List student. She is particularly grateful for a roommate from Greece who introduced her to diverse students from all over the world; Earl Glosser, PhD of the Counseling Center; and Richard Ury, manager and mentor at WSIU-TV.

Subsequent to attaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SIU, WarmSun, who also attained a master’s in social work at the University of Illinois, enjoyed a successful career in mental health. A career highlight was WarmSun establishing a women’s mental health services program for the state of Hawaii and being named an associate clinical professor of psychology by the University of Hawaii. She returned to the Mainland in 1979 and continued to work in mental health. In 1991, she became an organization development consultant for a major health care company.

As she approached retirement, WarmSun coveted an avocation that she could be passionate about. She enrolled in water color classes at a local high school near her Oakland, CA, home, and intensified her learning upon retirement. WarmSun subsequently discovered a book in her favorite used bookstore that continues to motivate her to this day.

“A real transformation occurred when I read Maxine Masterfield’s book, Painting the Spirit of Nature,” she says. “I saw how to paint the essence of nature.” In February 2010, WarmSun spent four days with Masterfield in Florida.

The SIU alumna has studied rock and stone carving, and cave art. She reads Native American spirituality and philosophy which further influences her work. WarmSun says “knowledge of psychology, the natural world, and Native American writings that reflect a deep connection between the two, has led me to explore the spirit of Nature and the nature of Spirit in my work.”

The influence of WarmSun’s parents is also apparent. Her mother was a creative woman who enjoyed art and music. Her father had always told his daughter that he had Cherokee in his genetic background. He was an avid reader whose love of Native American lore also influenced her life and art. Others are noticing.

She was invited to share art pieces for “Sacred Rhythms” at the Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, Kentucky. WarmSun was also asked to present her work and conduct a presentation in February at the San Francisco Peace and Hope Fest at a gallery in the City. If you would like to see her work, go to www.warmsunart.com.

While her work continues to be in demand, WarmSun plans on taking a brief break from her art studio in October to attend a high school class reunion and visit family in her hometown. At the same time, she and her husband plan to visit to SIU campus, which she hasn’t seen since 1972.

“I have a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. But my true allegiance is to Southern Illinois University. Some special people in Carbondale truly believed in me and helped make my life happen in a really good way.”

If you are interested in learning more about supporting SIU through retirement plans or other gift planning options, please call Executive Director for Development Pat Moline at 618/453-4947 or visit our website at: www.siufgiving.org.

As William Hill reflects on a life of 94 years, his memories are vivid. And he takes great pride in a distinguished career which includes substantial contributions to his country through the military and a prominent federal agency.

The Anna, Ill., native earned a zoology degree from SIU in 1942. As World War II had broken out on Dec. 7, 1941, he enlisted in the Navy’s Reserve Officers Training School. He was called up for duty in Nov. 1942 to Northwestern University in Chicago. Upon completion of that training, he was commissioned as an Ensign. After another brief training in Washington, D.C., he was assigned to the U.S.S. Trenton, a light cruiser in the Pacific. He served on that ship until the war ended.

Following World War II, he taught high school biology and general science. However, he found it difficult to make ends meet.

“I was going broke and decided to look for something better,” Hill says. “The Food and Drug Administration had placed an advertisement seeking inspectors. I tested for the position and was one of the lucky ones to be hired.”

Hill accepted an assignment to St. Louis, where he was initially involved in the inspection of unsanitary conditions in the food industry and the illegal sales of prescription drugs. He was also involved in a nationwide investigation of the sale of amphetamines to long-haul truck drivers.

Hill’s 36.5-year career in the FDA included promotions and transfers to various locations in the country. After a transfer to San Francisco in 1956, he had ascended to senior inspector level and continued his duties in uncovering unsanitary conditions in major food manufacturing plants. This work led to substantial changes in plant operations and led to sanctions against responsible parties.

Four years later, the SIU graduate became a compliance officer in Dallas, preparing recommendations on legal cases and assisting U.S. Attorneys. The Agency established the position of Deputy District Director in 1964. Hill was promoted to that position. He returned to the West Coast in 1967, where he supervised compliance officers and assisted the director. A year later,Hill was selected to participate in the agency’s executive development program in Washington, D.C., where he was involved with congressional correspondence, monitoring hearings and drafting testimony for the FDA commissioner to present at the hearings.

“My career was exciting, with every day bringing new challenges,” he says. “The teaching background I received at SIU was beneficial, as we always had new employees coming on board that had to be trained in the law and shown how to enforce it.”
In 1970, Hill was assigned as the director of the Kansas City district, but returned later that year to San Francisco to be district director. This was ultimately the position he retired in on July 31, 1984. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, reside in Lee Summit, MO, just outside of Kansas City. The couple will celebrate 70 years of marriage on October 12, 2015.

In retirement, Hill has become even more appreciative of his SIU years. When he returned to campus in 2002 to mark the 60th anniversary of his graduation, he presented the University with a $100,000 gift to establish the William C. Hill Zoology Scholarship Endowment.

“We had extra money and thought supporting SIU would be the best way to invest it,” he says. “The education I received at SIU truly prepared me for success in the FDA. It provided me with knowledge that allowed me to be a great fit for what the organization required.

“This is my way of paying SIU back.”

Hill recalls riding by SIU as a high school senior with his father, a World War I veteran. The elder Hill told his son that he would be attending the university someday.

“I discovered that SIU taught biology and that intrigued me. It was an enjoyable experience and I learned a great deal about life,” he says. “My second year, a teacher hired me into a student worker job paying .25 cents an hour.

“That was in the wake of the Great Depression. None of us had any money, but we all had a great time at SIU.”

To learn more about establishing a scholarship with an outright or estate gift, contact Gary Bogue at (405)334-2865 or garyb@foundation.siu.edu.

Representatives from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and PotashCorp were on campus Saturday for a presentation and announcement of a $300,000 donation to the College of Agricultural Science’s Potash Executive i2i Pathway to Excellence Program. Shown here are, from left, Ashani Hamilton, a senior graduating from SIU’s animal science program and an i2i alum; G. David Delaney, executive vice president and chief operating officer for PotashCorp and a member of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors; SIU President Randy Dunn; Greg Cook, president of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors; and Mickey A. Latour, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at SIU. (Photo by Steve Buhman)

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Students in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s College of Agricultural Sciences Ideas to Investigation program, better known as i2i, will benefit from the generosity of PotashCorp, the world’s largest fertilizer company by capacity.

The PotashCorp Executive i2i Pathway to Excellence program and the Department of Agricultural Sciences received a $300,000 contribution from the corporation. David Delaney, PotashCorp’s executive vice president and chief operating officer and also a member of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors, attended a check-signing ceremony on Saturday, May 2. Other attendees included SIU President Randy Dunn; College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Mickey A. Latour; and Greg Cook, president of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors.

The PotashCorp Executive i2i Pathway to Excellence program creates new options for students interested in conducting mentored research to address issues facing agricultural industries. Ideally, students work on research projects directly relevant to and immediately applicable to industry partners. Students who participate in the program learn from their research mentors and from each other while gaining valuable practical experience.

“Private-public partnerships such as this are essential to our ability to help students develop the skills they will need to make significant contributions nationally and globally,” Dunn said. “We appreciate PotashCorp’s confidence in the College of Agricultural Sciences and SIU Carbondale.”

Latour initiated the fledgling i2i program in the spring semester 2014 to provide an avenue for practical research skills, and opportunities for immediate application of what is learned to give students a real-life foundation for building career skills.

With the contribution from PotashCorp, the next phase, the Potash Executve i2i Pathway to Excellence, will focus on developing the next generation of highly trained executive talent with premier leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The program is a collaborative program with SIU and Purdue University.

“This contribution from PotashCorp embodies what we hope we can achieve with the i2i program – finding and maintaining industry partners to help our students develop marketable research and career skills, leadership qualities and professional networks,” Latour said. “Because of this gift, students selected for this elite program will receive a hands-on research experience by providing a collaborative environment for participating SIU and Purdue students, faculty mentors and industry representatives to explore controversial issues in food, agriculture, and the environment and receive training in executive leadership and business etiquette.”

“Great gains in agricultural productivity grow from creative, insightful leadership,” Jochen Tilk, president and chief executive officer of PotashCorp, said. “Our company believes that the PotashCorp Executive i2i Pathway to Excellence program will train and inspire leaders who share our vision of playing an integral role in the global food solution. We are pleased to be a partner in this project and to support students committed to improving agriculture for the benefit of all.”

As the world’s largest crop nutrient company, PotashCorp plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, crop nutrients such as potash, phosphates and nitrogen offer a reasonable and practical solution to help produce the food we need from the land we have. For more information about PotashCorp, contact Rhonda Speiss at Rhonda.Speiss@potashcorp.com.

A man who has attained success as a higher education administrator is forever grateful to mentors who guided him as he was learning his craft.

Jeffery Elwell, who received his Ph.D. in theater from SIU in 1986, has served multiple universities in key leadership positions. Elwell says his two-year stint at SIU, where he developed playwriting and theater production skills, was particularly critical in his life.

“I love SIU and have fond memories of my time as a student in Carbondale,” he says. “It made me who I am today.”

Elwell assumed his current role as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2012. Previously, Elwell was Provost at Auburn University at Montgomery, and dean of fine arts and communication at East Carolina University. He has also directed theater and arts programs at Marshall University, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Mississippi State University, Aurora University and Gardner-Webb University.

An accomplished playwright, Elwell has written, directed and produced more than 50 plays. His work has been featured in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, the country’s three largest markets.

He attributes his success to two mentors including the late Alred Straumanis, his dissertation chair at SIU, and Ronald C. Kern, retired chair of the theater department at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where Elwell attained his master’s degree.

Some 30 years later, Elwell is paying tribute to his mentors. He and his wife, Edwina, recently bequest funds to the Ronald C. Kern–Alfred Straumanis Scholarship, an honor that will be bestowed on a SIU theater student pursuing a career in playwriting. The couple originally created the scholarship to honor the mentorship Elwell received from both men.

Elwell maintained a relationship with Straumanis until his death. He continues communication with Kern.

“Both gentlemen had an extraordinary impact and helped make me,” Elwell says. “They encouraged me as a playwright and tested me through a great deal of time and effort. They both had tough exteriors, but were approachable with great hearts.

“I wanted to give back to SIU and I’m excited to support aspiring student playwrights.”

Jeffery Elwell is grateful to SIU for another reason. He and Edwina, a 1983 business administration graduate, initially met on campus. The two met while Jeff awaited a doctoral loan check in financial aid, where Edwina served as an undergraduate student worker. A processing mix-up led to Jeff waiting an additional two hours for his check.

“I flirted with Edwina during my wait. She eventually presented me with a $5,000 check and I asked her out on a date,” he recalls. “We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in December.”

Dylan Neudecker has been familiar with SIU for some time. A native of Centralia, just one hour north of Carbondale, he is a third-generation SIU student. His grandmother, LaDonne, earned an elementary education degree from the university in 1953. His father, Mike, is a 1988 electrical engineering graduate.

Neudecker attended Saluki basketball games with his family as a youth. The SIU senior considered other universities, but a visit to campus for an Open House made his decision easier.

“My father and I spent four hours with Lyle Kline, who was representing the mining engineering department at the event,” Neudecker says. “He took us on a tour of the department, computer and research labs and walked us around campus. I learned a lot about mining engineering that day.

“I was sold on SIU after those four hours.”

Mike Neudecker recalls the visit and was impressed with university officials.

“They made it feel like home and Dylan fell in love with SIU,” he says. “He is an outgoing young man and has made the most of his experience.

Dylan Neudecker is on track to graduate in May. As he reflects on his SIU experience, Neudecker doesn’t have any regrets. The Centralia native says SIU’s Mining Engineering Program – one of only 15 in the nation – prepares its students well for success after graduation.

Neudecker says he has learned about the business side of engineering, studied various facets of surface and underground mining, in addition to rock mechanics and mineral processing. He is particularly grateful for hands-on learning opportunities that have complemented his classroom experience.

Dylan Neudecker says scholarships and internships were valuable during his time as a SIU student. He has accepted a job with Lehigh Hanson, a global entity that presented him with experience in labor and management.

Three internships have been beneficial to Neudecker. He spent two summers interning for Lehigh Hanson, a global entity that presented him with experience in labor and management. Neudecker has accepted a full-time job offer from the company.

“Internships are invaluable. SIU’s mining engineering department is great about presenting students with opportunities that translate well into the classroom setting,” he says. “I received an understanding of various facets of mining and production through my internships.”

The department also provides learning experiences during Spring Break. It facilitates trips for students like Neudecker to visit copper nickel mines in Canada. He is a member of the Society of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, a national organization that offers learning and networking opportunities through a yearly conference.

Job placement for SIU’s mining engineering students is 100% and starting salaries are approximately $65,000, according to associate professor Sam Spearing. “Dylan has always been helpful and prepared to go the extra mile. As a result, he received a firm job offer a semester before graduation,” Spearing says. “He is very outgoing and has been helpful to faculty and active in our mining registered student organizations on campus.”

The SIU senior is currently an undergraduate research assistant for in the department. He values his SIU experience, which has been further enhanced through three scholarships. Neudecker has been received a monetary award from the Illinois Mining Institute and two scholarships from the mining engineering department.

“Scholarships are extremely beneficial because they help make school affordable,” he says. “I have worked and my parents helped a great deal. I’m thankful for that. Scholarships really help you offset college debt.”

One of Neudecker’s jobs in school was working for his father, executive vice president and general manager at Engineered Fluid in Centralia. He served as an electrician and welder under his father’s guidance during his junior and senior years of college. Mike has seen this work ethic in his son since his youthful years.

“Dylan has always been a hard worker. He worked on our family farm as a youth,” Mike says. “Dylan enjoys every aspect of engineering and learning more about his craft. I’ve always been proud of him for these attributes.”

Dylan is thankful for his upbringing.

“I’ve always had a strong work ethic – I don’t mind getting my hands dirty,” he says. “My father engrained a work ethic in me and it serves me well. I appreciate it every day of my life.”

William Bushelle Ex.’71, says his son preferred reading about heroic stories and figures as a youngster. He vividly recalls conversations with Will, who inquired about the modern day equivalent of ancient knights in American society.

As the elder Bushelle and his wife, Paula, reflect on their late son, they believe these early occurrences were a precursor of the direction he was headed in life. “Maybe he made up his mind to shape his own life in that fashion. Our country’s history clearly had an impact on Will,” Bushelle says.

Will’s actions confirmed this notion. After graduating from Ladue Hortin Watkins High School in St. Louis, the 2004 SIU industrial technology graduate initially chose the military over college. He enlisted in the Navy in August 1994, no doubt influenced by his father, a Navy man; grandfather, a decorated WWII veteran, and his great uncle, who served in Korea.

“Will’s mother and I were proud, although, we wanted him to enroll in college first,” Bushelle says. “We discussed it over a period of time, and Will told us that he wasn’t ready for college. He had completed substantial research and decided he wanted to become a Navy SEAL. Will was intent on that.”

After Basic Training and Electricians Mate “A” school in Great Lakes, Ill., Will completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training Class 202 in Coronado, Calif.

A TRUE SUCCESS

William Bushelle in KoreaWill served as a platoon operator throughout his active service, which included stints in Germany and Spain, in addition to a voluntary deployment to the Al Anbar region of Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with SEAL Team Five in 2006. His personal decorations include a Navy Commendation Medal With Valor, Navy Achievement Medals with Valor, Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, in addition to various unit and service awards.

And he enjoyed a successful civilian career. He served stints at Boeing, Master Brand Cabinets and Global Experience Specialists. “Will never feared stepping into the breach,” Bushelle notes. “He ran toward incidents that most people avoided.”

This was the case even before his career in the Navy SEALS. In high school, Will, an Eagle Scout, was honored for saving a classmate’s life, immediately reacting to suffocate a chemistry lab fire that had engulfed his classmate.

While on reserve duty, Will noticed a car engulfed in flames. He hurried to the scene and pulled the passengers out of the vehicle. As a 16-year-old, while traveling with his father and others on a hiking trip, the group came across an automobile accident. Will ran to the scene and administered aid to a lady who was bleeding from a head wound.

“Will did not brag about himself. He was always more interested in others,” Bushelle says. ”He took great interest in family, friends and even strangers he would engage in conversation.”

This humbleness is an attribute that many remember about Will, who died on February 2014 as a result of a car accident in Las Vegas. He was only 38.

HUMBLE AND DEDICATED

Bruce DeRuntz M.S. ’96, Ph.D. ’05, an engineering technology professor at SIU, initially met Will when the latter arrived on campus in 2002. “Will was so humble. He never voluntarily talked about being a Navy SEAL. You had to pry it out of him,” he says.

Will made an instant impression on DeRuntz. The two initially encountered each other during a weekend course. Will stayed afterward to introduce himself, extend appreciation for the lecture, and inform DeRuntz that he thought it was going to be an enjoyable class.

“That was a first in my teaching career … I don’t recall a student ever making that statement to me,” DeRuntz says. “I instantly thought that there was something special about this student.”

After graduation, Will often contacted DeRuntz for career advice, and the professor sent care packages to him while he was in the reserves serving tours in the Middle East.

DeRuntz also directs SIU’s Leadership Development Program, which was founded in 2006 by SIU engineering graduate Dick Blaudow ’70, CEO of Advanced Technology Services in Peoria. The program is designed to develop technical leaders through training, mentoring, community service, opportunities and financial support.

Experiential learning is often incorporated for students. DeRuntz had Will skyped in and conducted a one-hour presentation on his own leadership principles. When Navy SEAL teammates offered support after Will’s death, DeRuntz invited two team members to campus last September during Military Appreciation Day weekend to lecture about Will’s principles.

“You can’t learn everything about leadership from a textbook. Special forces like the Navy SEALs are an outstanding resource in this regard,” DeRuntz says. “We integrate Will’s principles into the leadership program every chance we get. His friends thought the principles captured what he stood for as an individual.”

Close friends Paul ’02 and Nikki Bell ’02 refer to Will as a “special human being and friend.” “Will’s thoughtfulness, courage and zest for life are attributes that Nikki and I loved about him,” Paul says. “He made a strong commitment scholastically and to the Navy SEALS and Reserves. I appreciate his sacrifice.”

Nikki adds: “Will had natural charisma and he was unfailingly honest. He was upfront and truthful … you always appreciate that in a friend.”

The SIU Alumni Association life members were so fond of Will that they approached the Bushelles about the possibility of establishing a scholarship in his honor. After receiving approval, the Bells coordinated efforts with the SIU Foundation to create the William Bushelle Scholarship Endowment.

The scholarship gives family and friends an opportunity to make a gift in Will’s memory. It is open to all applicants who are active duty military/reserve, veteran or active ROTC with a major in engineering. If this criteria isn’t met, the recipient must be an engineering student participating in the Leadership Development Program.

“Will always made time for others. We wanted to further the goals Will had for himself and others around him,” Nikki says. “He was focused on giving back to SIU by mentoring or coaching students. His passion and love for the military and the engineering field were important, so we wanted that to be a part of the criteria.”

SCHOLARSHIP IS APPRECIATED

Bushelle says this gesture is heartwarming. The Bushelles have hosted many of Will’s college friends, co-workers and Navy SEAL teammates at their home since his death. He also says that people from all facets of Will’s life have honored his son’s memory in various ways.

“We have heard from so many of Will’s friends. It is overwhelming to know that he had such wonderful friends who remember his family during these times,” he says. “There is no end to the good will and communication we have received from people who were touched by Will.”

Perhaps Bruce DeRuntz says it best in reflecting on Will’s impact on family and friends. While attending Will’s funeral, he says those in attendance took inventory of what Will’s life meant to them.

“Everyone decided that we should all strive to be like Will and live to the highest character, integrity, and honor. This is what Will would want us to do,” he says. “If we encounter a situation in life and ponder the best way to handle it, we should ask ourselves: ‘What would Will do?’

“And that will be our answer.”

If you would like to contribute to the William Bushelle Scholarship Endowment, please call Director of Development (Scholarships) Gary Bogue at 618/453-4906.