By Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Non-traditional Student Services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale recently awarded scholarships to three students.

Heather Will is the recipient of the Piper-McMahan Endowed Scholarship for $1,000, while Kenea Lee and Hubert Widener each received $500 Non-Traditional Student Services Activity Scholarship awards.

Will, of Elkville, is a senior majoring in Workforce Education and Development. She is a first-generation college student who is active in her church, community and children’s schools. Will and her husband, Jason, have four children: Erika, Cutter, Addison and Jaycie.

The Piper-McMahan Endowed Scholarship goes to a full-time, non-traditional sophomore, junior or senior who attended high school in Jackson County, Ill.

Widener, a junior majoring in aviation technologies, is from Vero Beach, Fla. He earned his associate degree in 2003 and worked as a federally licensed aircraft mechanic before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2009, where he served in South Korea and stateside. He is one of just 200 from the Army to participate in the Green-to-Gold Active Duty Option Program, where he can complete his bachelor’s degree and become a commissioned officer. He is married to Allison Widener.

Lee, of Chicago, is a senior business management major specializing in entrepreneurship. While caring for a young child and working at Student Support Services, she also serves as a math tutor for TRiO Achievers program students and assists with campus activities including the University’s Family Carnival.

Applications for the Non-Traditional Student Services scholarships are due each March for the upcoming fall semester.

For more information about the office, a unit of Student Life and Intercultural Relations, visit the website at www.nontrad.siu.edu, call 618/453-7521 or email dbarnett@siu.edu.

by Greg Scott

CARBONDALE, IL — A three-year grant program established at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will create opportunities for women interested in government and public service.

A partnership between the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and the SIU Foundation with the Celia M. Howard Fellowship Fund will allow a student to gain real-world experience in public service, government and public policy. This will provide the student with a significant advantage in landing a permanent position after graduating from the University.

The Cecilia M. Howard Fellow will serve as a graduate assistant at the Simon Institute, receiving mentorship from senior staff. Among those providing guidance will be Linda Baker, a SIU Carbondale professor, who held key managerial positions for three Illinois governors, including three years as Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services, the largest state agency.

The Howard Fellowship will provide an annual grant of $20,000 for three years beginning in 2013, to fund the fellowship at the Paul Simon Institute.

“This partnership is especially meaningful as the Institute has spent the past year focused on encouraging college-aged women to be more active in politics and government,” said Institute associate director Matt Baughman. “We are grateful to the Howard Fellowship Fund for its support of our students and for the trust it places in the Simon Institute.”

Candidates for the Howard Fellow can come from any major, but must demonstrate a serious commitment to working in government to be considered. A preference will be given to female students. In addition, the selected student must be a U.S. citizen, domiciled in the State of Illinois and have lived there for a minimum of two years, have received a bachelor’s degree and maintain an overall “B” grade point average or better.

The Fellowship will also provide the student with an opportunity to interact with international, national and state government and political leaders who visit the University as guests of the Simon Institute.

Additionally, they will participate in research projects, work on policy issues related to their field of study and help identify speakers for the annual Jeanne Hurley Simon Lecture Series. The Simon Institute will allow flexibility to design the opportunity to best fit the Howard Fellow each year, including an option for the student to work with a state agency or constitutional officer.

“For more than 50 years, the Celia M. Howard Fellowship has worked to assist Illinois women in obtaining educational opportunities and training in the fields of government and diplomacy. We are excited for the opportunity to partner with the Simon Institute in achieving these goals,” says Fayrene Wright, Chair of the Celia M. Howard Fellowship Fund Committee.

The Celia Howard Fellowship program was established in 1948 by the Illinois Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. Celia M. Howard (1876-1950) was respected for her distinguished service, including 40 years in the U.S. District Court in Chicago. A graduate of John Marshall Law School, Howard was admitted to practice before the Illinois Supreme Court, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Court. She was also known for a sincere devotion to humanitarian and civic work, particularly the Red Cross.

By Greg Scott

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A scholarship endowment has been created to honor a man who practiced veterinary medicine for 40 years.

Students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale pursuing a degree in pre-veterinary medicine can apply for the Dr. and Mrs. Carl McDowell Case and Mr. and Mrs. Victor Le Gout Scholarship. Preference will be given to students who graduated from a high school in the Illinois counties of Lawrence, Richland, Crawford and Wabash. If no student qualifies from these counties, the award will be open to all applicants.

Recipients must attain at least junior status in the pre-veterinary track program, offered through the SIU Carbondale College of Science. They must have at least a 3.5 grade point average. Two $3,000 scholarships will be presented annually.

Catherine LeGout, a former beautician and resident of Sumner, initially decided to establish the endowment in honor of her late father, Carl Case. The award also includes the name of her late husband, Victor, who worked as a steam welder; and pays homage to the wives of both men.

“I became familiar with SIU Carbondale and its academic programs through WSIU-TV. It is a good school with a quality pre-veterinary program,” she says. “My father devoted his career to this field. It just seemed appropriate to have something at SIU in his name.”

Chancellor Rita Cheng expressed appreciation for the endowment on behalf of the University.

“We are honored that Mrs. LeGout selected our University for this very meaningful and very generous endowment,” Cheng said. “We are grateful for her confidence in our program and for her commitment to helping our students achieve their dreams.”

Jay C. Means, dean of the College of Science, says LeGout’s support will assist the University in recruiting quality students to its program.

“By establishing this scholarship fund, Mrs. LeGout is not only fostering support of deserving students in our pre-veterinary medicine program, she is honoring her parents and husband, which serves as a wonderful tribute to her loved ones. Veterinary school admissions are extremely competitive and scholarship support options are essential in attracting and keeping high-caliber students. Individuals like Mrs. LeGout make this possible. SIU Carbondale’s pre-veterinary medicine program will benefit greatly from her generosity.”

Jeff Lorber, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement and executive director of development for the SIU Foundation, says: “This scholarship endowment is a wonderful gesture on behalf of Catherine LeGout. It serves as a fitting tribute to her family as these funds will support the educational endeavors of students who aspire to follow in Mr. Case’s footsteps. We are greatly appreciative of Mrs. LeGout’s desire to support pre-veterinary students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.”

by Emily Hunsaker

CARBONDALE, Ill. –The Larry Reynolds Memorial Scholarship is open to new and returning students studying music at SIU Carbondale. Preference will be given to graduates of Herrin High School who are incoming freshmen or current students. If no Herrin High School graduates are available, preference will be given to transfer students from John A. Logan College. The scholarship will be awarded annually.

“Mr. Reynolds was a very important part of the School of Music’s staff. The impact he made during his many years of service is immeasurable,” Jeanine Wagner, director of the School of Music, said. “He touched the lives of many students through his work and his involvement in extracurricular activities.”

Reynolds was a beloved employee who was held in high regard in the School of Music. An avid musician himself, he sponsored music fraternities and made regular appearances in student jam sessions. His wife, Judy, and children, Paul and Julie, hope that through this scholarship he will be remembered for his commitment to music and education.

“We wanted to establish this scholarship so Larry could live on in the School of Music,” Judy Reynolds said. “He was very involved with the students in the school, and was also very talented. He could play a little on any instrument. But he loved to play the banjo.”

With the family’s strong ties to SIU Carbondale and southern Illinois, Reynolds wanted the scholarship to benefit local students.

“Our children graduated from Herrin High School, John A. Logan and SIU Carbondale,” Reynolds said. “We decided on the scholarship stipulations based on these connections.”

Paul Reynolds is a 1997 engineering graduate. Julie (Reynolds) Patrick earned her degree from the College of Education and Human Services in 2001.

“Mr. Reynolds and his family clearly treasured their time at SIU Carbondale. Through this endowment, his family strengthens his legacy,” Jeff Lorber, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement and executive director of development for the SIU Foundation, said. “By establishing this scholarship fund, the Reynolds family is investing in the future of our area students.”

by Greg Scott

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A retired microbiology professor who received initial inspiration for his research work from mentors at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has decided to return the favor at his alma mater.

Jnanendra Kumar Bhattacharjee, a graduate student in SIU Carbondale’s Department of Microbiology, 1961-1965, studied yeast genetics under the guidance of the late Carl Lindegren, a professor and department chair at the University. Bhattacharjee credits Lindegren for laying the groundwork for a distinguished career in which he conducted yeast genetics research for 45 years.

In appreciation for his experience at SIU Carbondale, Bhattacharjee, and his wife, Tripti, have established the Dr. Jnanendra K. and Tripti Bhattacharjee Endowment to support various endeavors of SIU Carbondale’s microbiology graduate students.

“The educational and research opportunities I received at SIU Carbondale were invaluable. And consequently, the professional success and accomplishments I’ve enjoyed occurred as a result of that experience,” Bhattacharjee says. “Additionally, my wife and I were quite impressed with the wonderful hospitality and the advances in the microbiology department during our visit to campus.

“Therefore, establishing this endowment presented me with an opportunity to give back to the department so that other graduate students can receive the same opportunities and encouragement that benefited me.”

Doug Fix, chair of the SIU Carbondale biology and microbiology department, says the endowment will provide funds for professional development activities. It will support graduate students interested in attending major conferences, which enables them to present their research and meet fellow researchers in the field to discuss future employment possibilities.

“Dr. Bhattacharjee has always been a contributor to the microbiology program. We are particularly grateful to him for providing this support for our graduate students,” Fix says. “And most recently, we are honored by his incredibly generous donation that has created a new endowment. The proceeds from this endowment will allow us to provide our graduate students with opportunities that have become increasingly difficult in these uncertain financial times when state and federal funding seem limited or dwindling. This is one of the most important ways we can help our students succeed and we thank Dr. Bhattacharjee for making this possible.”

Jeff Lorber, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement and executive director of development for the SIU Foundation, says: “Dr. Bhattacharjee clearly treasures his experience at this institution and is pleased with the advances in its microbiology department. He values the mentors who guided him along the way, and aspires to support the educational and professional endeavors of young people who follow him.”

Bhattacharjee, a professor emeritus of microbiology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, received his doctorate in microbiology from SIU Carbondale in 1965. He subsequently conducted postdoctoral research under the late Murray Strassman at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, and ascended to assistant member, 1966-1968. Bhattacharjee joined Miami’s faculty in 1968, where he mentored a large number of undergraduate, M.S., Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral fellows until his retirement in 2005.

Bhattacharjee’s career is highlighted by numerous published research articles, several U.S. patents, grants, awards, honors, and memberships in professional organizations. A life member of the SIU Alumni Association, Bhattacharjee is grateful for his experience at SIU Carbondale.

“The University presented me with outstanding opportunities. I’m forever grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Lindegren, who were both scientists; other SIU Carbondale microbiology professors, and President and Mrs. Delyte Morris, as well as foreign students advisor Ms. Mary Wakeland who provided a welcoming environment for international students,” he says. “My successful family and professional life really goes back to the education and experiences I received at SIU.

“I relish that period in my life. I have a great deal of gratitude and I’m humble for the experience.”

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — As business and community leaders, Clint and Debra McDonnough know from experience the importance of a quality education in achieving success. That experience led the Texas couple with Southern Illinois roots to pledge funds for a scholarship endowment to help Southern Illinois University Carbondale students reach their educational goals.

The McDonnoughs are donating at least $30,000 to the Southern Illinois University Foundation to create the Clint and Debra McDonnough Scholarship Endowment. Interest income from the endowment is funding an annual scholarship award beginning in fall 2011.

The scholarship will go to a high school senior from one of the Connect SI counties: Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson. Admittance to the College of Business at SIUC is also a requirement and preference will go to students who participate in Lead SI, a regional youth networking and leadership initiative.

“Clint and Debra McDonnough are strongly committed to the greater Dallas community, but they continue to be very devoted to their native Southern Illinois and SIUC,” said Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for institutional advancement and chief executive officer of the SIU Foundation. “The McDonnoughs place great value on attaining a college degree and they are making quite a commitment to help Southern Illinois students in their educational quest. The McDonnoughs are doing their part to foster support of future business leaders. This is a wonderful gesture on their part.”

Clint McDonnough, a Pinckneyville native and 1977 accounting graduate of SIUC, is the Dallas office managing partner for Ernst and Young LLP. He oversees the daily operations for one of the firm’s largest markets and also serves as the company’s spokesman and representative in the area. Over his 34-year career with the firm, McDonnough initially worked in the St. Louis office, then at the global headquarters in Cleveland, before becoming the firm’s managing partner of assurance and advisory business services for the southwest area including northern Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

His previous roles also included serving as national director of real estate advisory services, working to create a unified national real estate consulting practice with focus on development and new services implementation. He also served as managing partner for the Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group as well as a stint as coordinating partner for many of the agency’s clients.

McDonnough is active in numerous community organizations, including the Dallas Education Foundation Board, the Dallas Citizens Council Board, the Dallas Regional Chamber Board and Education Committee, the University of Texas at Dallas Development Board. McDonnough served two years as the United Way’s general campaign chairman and is presently a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Committee.

The greater Dallas community has shown its appreciation for his efforts with a number of awards, including the 2008 Ebby Halliday Executive’s Excellence Award from Executive Women International, the 2009 Chairman’s Award from the Dallas Regional Chamber and the 2009 Flame of Honor Award for Distinguished Community Service from the Southwest Jewish Congress. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Inc., also named him a 2010 Dallas Local Hero.

Debra McDonnough, originally from Highland, earned an accounting degree at SIU Edwardsville. Dallas residents since 1986, the couple has three children.

“There are probably two main reasons that served as the impetus for us creating this endowment,” Clint McDonnough said. During the couple’s return trips to the region, they saw a struggling economy with high unemployment, and while greatly encouraged by the efforts of the region’s residents, the McDonnoughs wanted to help.

“We wanted to do something, to give something back to the community that was so instrumental in helping us during our formative years,” McDonnough said.

In addition, he said his good friend Ron Barger, a Dallas attorney and 1973 Murphysboro High School graduate, was a co-founder and continuing supporter of LEAD SI, an initiative to encourage talented high school students to maximize their leadership skills and further their education. In talking with Barger, McDonnough learned about LEAD SI and found it to be a needed program and an excellent vehicle to help the McDonnoughs with their goal of assisting Southern Illinois teens pursue business degrees.

He said that although he and Debra are deeply involved in their work and charitable efforts and live in the Dallas area, creating the scholarship is something definitive they can do to help.

“Clint and Debra McDonnough have made a significant investment in Southern Illinois with a scholarship enabling LEAD SI students to pursue a business degree at SIUC. It is our hope that the recipients of this scholarship will develop into future business leaders and, following the McDonnoughs’ example, will give back to their communities,” said Dennis Cradit, dean of the College of Business.

LEAD SI, begun in 2008, invites youths to participate in a training institute at SIUC where they develop their communication, problem solving, team building and decision making skills while networking with leaders in the region. The high school juniors and seniors then participate in events throughout the year focusing on their development as future leaders able to address regional problems with regional solutions. LEAD SI is the youth leadership component of Connect SI, a regional economic and community development initiative.

“I’m very grateful for the vision of the McDonnough family in connecting this scholarship to LEAD SI. What they have accomplished is the creation of a strong linkage between collaborative leadership and a degree in business taught in an academic environment of excellence. Both are essential elements for regional and national growth. Together they form a powerful catalyst for positive change,” said Rex Duncan, director of community development at SIUC and president of the Connect SI Foundation board of directors.

The scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years for recipients maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8.

“We believe that a college degree is the gateway to help fulfill career goals. After growing up in Southern Illinois, we want to provide financial support and opportunities for Southern Illinois high school graduates to pursue a college degree in business and inspire them to contribute to the Southern Illinois economy in a leadership role,” said Clint McDonnough.

by Greg Scott

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A Distinguished Alumnus is teaming with Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s administration to fund state-of-the-art research equipment for instructors and students in the chemistry and biochemistry department.

Bob Gower, a two-degree SIUC alumnus and chair of Ensysce Biosciences in Houston, communicates regularly with the University’s chemistry professors. When the West Frankfort native was informed of the department’s equipment deficiencies, he immediately made mention of the issue in a subsequent meeting with SIUC Chancellor Rita Cheng.

“It’s pretty inefficient to have equipment constantly going down. I know it’s a problem that can’t exist; especially at a great University like SIU that is striving for recognition in various aspects of research,” Gower says. “Therefore, I told Chancellor Cheng that I would be willing to help if the University was willing to do the same.”

Cheng presented a proposal to Bob and Beth Gower for $75,000, to establish a Technology Fund in the chemistry and biochemistry department. Their commitment would be matched dollar-for-dollar by the University. The Gowers obliged. Therefore, $150,000 will fund the acquisition and maintenance of equipment for instruction and research. Additionally, the fund provides the department and college with a long-term resource plan for equipping and upgrading its teaching labs.

“This is a wonderful partnership that responds to a great need in this department,” Cheng said. “Cutting-edge equipment and technology are vital to the educational process. The Gowers’ generosity provides valuable support to our faculty’s teaching and research efforts, and will help our students be better prepared when they enter their professions.”

Gower, a researcher himself, says the gift is significant and beneficial to the chemistry department.

“I’m particularly pleased that Chancellor Cheng was interested, and like myself, wanted to address the problem,” he says. “As a matter of fact, she was already on top of the issue just weeks after assuming her role at the University. I was quite impressed with her commitment to strengthen our chemistry department.”

Jay C. Means, dean of the College of Science, says the funds provided by the Gowers and Chancellor Cheng will have an immediate impact this fall semester. The department is purchasing a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer and high performance liquid chromatograph to train advanced chemistry majors in the laboratory setting. Means went on to point out that significant gifts such as this are “unique and very much appreciated during a time of fiscal uncertainty.”

The gift will assist the University in preparing students for careers after college, according to Gary R. Kinsel, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

“These funds will go a long way in allowing us to provide modern chemical instruments for our students to use in their laboratory experiences. This experience is critical because they’ll need to know how to use this equipment when they join the workforce,” Kinsel says. “This definitely helps move our program forward.”

Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for institutional advancement and chief executive officer of the SIU Foundation, says: “Bob and Beth Gower have historically been quite generous in supporting SIU Carbondale. Dr. Gower is appreciative of his own experience at Southern, and is particularly fond of our chemistry department. Furthermore, the support demonstrated by the Gowers and Chancellor Cheng indicates a true commitment to provide essential resources that will benefit our students well into the future.”

Gower, who received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from SIU Carbondale in 1958 and 1960, knows first-hand the importance of research in the business world. One of his most telling accomplishments occurred after he became president and CEO of Lyondell Petrochemical Co., which was losing approximately $200 million a year when Gower took over in 1985. The SIU alumnus transformed the Houston-based firm into one of the 100 Best Managed Companies in the World, as named by Industry Week Magazine. Petrochemical Co. became a publicly traded New York Stock Exchange company in 1989.

Prior to his success at Lyondell, Gower held various leadership positions in Sinclair Oil and Atlantic Richfield, major oil and chemistry companies in the 1960s. Also, in 2000, Gower worked closely with the late Richard Smalley, a Rice University professor who, along with two associates, won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1996, in forming Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc. He served as president and CEO until merging CNI into another company, Unidym Corp., and continues his involvement as an investor.

A recipient of the 1996 SIU Distinguished Alumni Award, Gower relishes the opportunity to support his alma mater.

“I have enjoyed some reasonable success. But I came from a pretty humble beginnings and I know there are students at Southern with a similar background,” he says. “I know it’s an overused statement, but I truly feel indebted to SIU. So many people paid attention and provided encouragement to me as a youth in West Frankfort, at SIU, and in the church and community.

“When you are a beneficiary of such actions, the least you can do is give back if you’re in the position to do so.”

by Greg Scott

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s agriculture research efforts have received quite a lift through the Kuehn Research and Education Center.

SIU Carbondale’s College of Agricultural Sciences is the beneficiary of a significant estate gift to the SIU Foundation by the late Harold and Nora Kuehn. This gift includes the Kuehn farmland, located in Dowell, just 15 miles north of Carbondale. In accordance with the wishes of the estate, a portion of the property was sold for the purpose of funding scholarships in support of students pursuing degrees in Plant and Soil Sciences, and Animal Science, Food and Nutrition.

The remaining acreage will be used for research and educational purposes. Jarrett Nehring, director of University Farms, says this will benefit the University and region well into the future.

“Having access to the Kuehn Research and Education Center is beneficial because we have large fields to conduct large-scale research. Most research on the Carbondale experimental farms is small-scale,” Nehring says. “It also provides another location for SIU researchers — such as our Weed Science and Soybean Breeding Group — to conduct their own research.

“These large-scale experiments are the final stages of our research that can demonstrate to farmers how this applies to their operation.”

Jim Klein, an assistant scientist, agrees with Nehring’s assessment.

“We didn’t have any more land in Carbondale that provided good, uniform ground for research,” he says. “The Kuehns’ gift greatly assists our efforts. It will become an even greater asset as we get to know the farm a little better.”

Nehring says maintenance is priority on the property. A member of the SIU agriculture research team since 2000, Nehring never met the Kuehns. But he aspires to make sure the Research Center reflects the commitment they had to the agriculture industry and to SIU Carbondale.

“I’ve heard great things about the Kuehns. I understand that Mr. Kuehn was always on the cutting edge and wanted to be involved in research,” he says. “The Kuehns believed in doing things the right way.

“That is one reason why we created grass waterways to prevent soil erosion. I think they would have appreciated that. We are going to maintain the farm the best we can to show the College of Ag Science cares about it.”

Nehring says the University will honor the Kuehns’ legacy well into the future.

Todd Winters, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, says: “We’re in the beginning stages of providing larger scale research to southern Illinois farmers. In the years to come, it will become a very beneficial center. Our plan is to make it is focal point of research and education.

“Whether we’re educating our own students who visit the facility, or hosting a field day for local farmers so they can see our research first-hand; it’s an opportunity to educate the farm community on new and upcoming products. It is quite a legacy for Harold and Nora Kuehn.”

Harold Kuehn, an Elkville native who received a bachelor’s in agriculture from Southern in 1951, became the first president of the Ag Alumni Society of SIU. He served on the board of directors for the SIU Alumni Association, including one year as president, 1984-85; and was a SIU Foundation board member for more than a decade, residing as its president from 1991-1994. Harold received distinguished service awards from both organizations, in addition to the Alumni Achievement Award from the College of Agriculture in 1996. He was on an advisory council to three SIU presidents.

A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Harold was a career farmer who produced grain and livestock; he was recognized with an Illinois Master Farmer Award. He was president of the Illinois Soybean Association in 1968 and one of its founders. The organization still funds a large amount of research at Southern, including the soybean breeding program efforts at the Kuehn farm this year. Kuehn’s leadership went well beyond the State of Illinois. Harold traveled to 49 countries doing market development work for the Foreign Agriculture Service in USDA and American Soybean Association, including the first trade mission to Russia in 1972. He was the American Soybean Association president at the time.

Nora worked at Croessman Wholesale Co. for 25 years before retiring and selling the business to two of her employees. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Du Quoin. She often accompanied Harold to University events, and particularly enjoyed baseball and basketball. The Murphysboro native traveled to 38 foreign countries during the time of her husband’s service to agriculture.

Gift benefits research — Jarrett Nehring, director of University Farms, visits a cornfield at the Kuehn Research and Education Center. (Photo provided)

Expanding opportunities — Jim Klein, an assistant scientist, displays various types of soybeans grown on the Kuehn farmland. (Photo provided)

by Greg Scott

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Some alumni of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s College of Business are wasting no time in offering financial assistance to support students who are following in their footsteps.

Recent graduates of the college — Candice McCloud (business management in 2007), Xavier Mims (management in 2008), and Janaya Tucker (accounting in 2007 and master’s in business administration in 2008) — have in short order made a commitment to establish scholarships and offer additional assistance to current students.

Michael Haywood, Director of the Office of Minority Affairs in the College, says these alumni were recipients of scholarships and are eager to return the favor now that they have launched their careers.

“These individuals endured some economic trials to attain their own education. They were grateful for receiving scholarships and want to support others,” he says. “Additionally, they take note of the college’s limited resources and want to give back. This isn’t anything new … we’ve had similar commitments from our alumni for close to 25 years. But recently, we’ve had people giving back much earlier in their careers.”

Haywood says all three alumni assumed leadership roles on campus, pursued opportunities to attain experience in their chosen field and worked hard to live up to the scholarship requirements. Each worked for Haywood in some capacity as a student at Southern.

McCloud was initially inspired after speaking with Mims.

Mims approached Haywood; Tammy Cavarretta, director of development for the College of Business; and Dean Dennis Cradit shortly after graduation about creating a scholarship to help new students. Mims was the beneficiary of scholarships and financial assistance and wanted to help others. Therefore, he and Haywood selected two students to receive brand new laptops purchased by Mims, currently executive district manager for Aldi, Inc., in Chicago. The students were recognized at the 2009 College of Business Honors Day ceremony.

Upon hearing of Mims’ generosity, McCloud took the initiative to follow suit. She established the Gloria Dean Battles Scholarship, named after her late grandmother, who was a teacher for 30 years. McCloud is honoring her grandmother’s lifelong commitment to education.

“My grandmother was the matriarch of our family. Education has always been important in my family and she instilled that in us,” McCloud says. “Also, my mother attended college and attained a master’s degree. She received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award in O’Fallon in just her second year. My brother and sister attended college as well.”

McCloud named the scholarship after her grandmother so other family members could contribute. She would like to expand it beyond the current $1,000 amount. The award is geared toward students in the business college who have a 3.0 grade point average or higher with preference given to minority students.

McCloud’s mother, and her father, an Air Force lieutenant colonel who has served 22 years in the military and recently returned from duty in Iraq, paid their way through college. She had to do the same because she was not eligible to receive financial aid.

“I want to help people who don’t receive as much financial aid. But I don’t want that to be the only criteria,” she says. “They have to earn good grades, work hard, and be successful.”

The SIU graduate is quite a success herself. McCloud has been a key account manager for the Coca-Cola Co. in Niles since June. She previously served as a district manager and recruiter for Aldi, Inc. in Batavia.

“SIU laid a strong foundation for my career and I learned a great deal. The college prepared me to take that step into the professional world,” she says. “I grew and learned the importance of time management and prioritizing. The experience of working and developing relationships in the classroom, and working with fellow students on projects in student organizations really prepared me for the professional world.”

The latest former student to follow in this path is Janaya Tucker, who received a bachelor’s in accounting in 2007 and attained a master’s in business administration in 2008. She derived inspiration from Mims and McCloud and established her own scholarship to assist current students in the College of Business. Tucker funded scholarships in the amount of $1,000, just three years after graduation.

An experienced associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Chicago, Tucker established the scholarship in appreciation for the education she received at Southern, which she says prepared her for a career in public accounting. She expresses appreciation for financial support earned that eased the financial burdens associated with attending college, and the guidance she received as a student at SIU Carbondale.

“I was not awarded financial aid, so my education was funded through multiple avenues including my parents, student work positions, scholarships, and assistantships from the College of Business, as well as external sources such as the Illinois CPA Society and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,” she says. “The funding I received allowed me to focus on my education and develop the knowledge and skills which I utilize on a daily basis in my career. Therefore, it’s only appropriate for me to give back.”

Tucker will fund her scholarship on an annual basis, with aspirations of increasing the amount in the future. The Janaya D. Tucker Scholarship will target an undergraduate majoring in accounting with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Preference will be given to an African American student.

“Hopefully, my scholarship will help ease the financial burden of attending college for current students, and in turn, allow them to focus on their college education. I do not want current students to be discouraged from earning their degree(s) from the College of Business due to the financial burdens associated with being a college student,” she says. “Also, I hope my scholarships will inspire other alums to give back to the College of Business.”

SIU Carbondale College of Business Dean J. Dennis Cradit says: “The generosity of Ms. McCloud, Mr. Mims and Ms. Tucker is inspiring. Their contributions exemplify their gratitude for the scholarships they received during their time at SIUC, as well as their strong commitment to education.”

Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for institutional advancement and CEO of the SIU Foundation, agrees: “The support exhibited by Candice, Xavier and Janaya is a tribute to their respective experiences in the College of Business and at SIU Carbondale. They are expressing their appreciation of their education by giving back to their alma mater in short order. We are thankful for their generosity and the fine examples they are setting for students who are striving to follow in their footsteps.”

The college has more students who plan to follow the examples set by McCloud, Mims and Tucker, according to Haywood. He also states that their support demonstrated by the graduates offer current students goes beyond monetary rewards.

“They volunteer time to return to campus and conduct workshops. When our students hear about their career paths, it motivates them to succeed,” he says. “It’s really an asset to the college when alumni are willing to come back and assist in educating our students on important qualities and skills that are pertinent to succeed in corporate America. When someone gives you a blueprint on how it’s done, that is just as important as donating money.”

Aisin Manufacturing, a longtime donor to Southern Illinois University, presented a check for $20,000 to the College of Engineering recently. The funds will be used to support scholarships in the College. Aisin Manufacturing Illinois, LLC is one of three plants located in the Aisin Industrial Park in Marion. The plant manufactures sunroofs, slide and back door components, center pillar garnishes, and door handles for the companies in the automotive industry, including Toyota, General Motors, Lexus, and Mitsubishi.

Pictured from left to right are Rickey McCurry, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement and Corporate Executive Officer for the SIU Foundation; Aisin Electronics Illinois, LLC President Akito Yamauchi; Aisin Manufacturing Illinois, LLC President Makoto Endo; Aisin Light Metals President Katsunori Maeda; and Ramanarayanan Viswanathan, Interim Dean of the College of Engineering.