By Jeff Wilson

Adam Rowe ’02 has worked on some of your favorite TV shows, even though you probably haven’t seen his face.

Working as an art director on “The Good Place,” “Dexter,” “Criminal Minds,” “Mad Men,” “House M.D.” and “Parks and Rec,” Rowe gives viewers a glimpse of his creative vision. In 2019, his hard work was rewarded with an Emmy for his work on “Rent: Live.”

“Winning an Emmy is more than a dream,” he said. “I spent the next day thinking ‘What happened? I can’t believe it!’”

Wondering what an art director does? Rowe explains it as “the hub of the art department and the extension of the production designer.”

“The art director is often in charge of time, money and space,” he said. “How long will it take to build a set? How much will it cost, and where will we build it? When it comes together, it’s very rewarding.”

The road to SIU

After a stint studying engineering at the University of Wisconsin Platteville, Rowe started considering changing majors and switching colleges. His two older sisters had attended SIU Carbondale.

“I had been down to Carbondale a number of times for parent weekends,” said Rowe, who grew up on farm outside of Grand Ridge in LaSalle County. “I proudly wore a Saluki sweatshirt when I was 10.”

He reached out to SIU and was connected with Ron Naversen in the Department of Theater. While Rowe wasn’t sure a theater degree would lead to many job opportunities, Naversen convinced him.

“Ron educated me on the possibilities. He spoke about a designer who worked on ‘Sesame Street’ and some other career pathways,” Rowe said. “Plus, SIU offered the most flexibility as far as accepting my existing credits.”

It was also Naversen who encouraged Rowe to apply for scholarships. He eventually received the Archibald McLeod Award.

“I was honored to get it, and I felt a sense of pride and togetherness with the others who were awarded,” Rowe said. “The money helped me avoid more student debt, and it saved me interest on a loan. I had two jobs while on campus, so receiving a scholarship kept me from needing a third.”

One of those jobs was a resident advisor position in Mae Smith Hall.

“It was the fifth floor – the same floor my sister had been on,” Rowe said. “It was predominately the freshman football team. My floor only caused one fire drill, and that was because someone nuked their Pagliai’s pizza in tin foil.”

Rowe also acted as a defendant in the School of Law’s mock court proceedings and gave campus tours to prospective and incoming students.

“I loved the woods surrounding Carbondale. I remember walks in snow, rain and sunshine from Mae Smith to the theater department,” he said. “I love Faner Hall and its crazy, weird architecture. I went back on a few occasions to speak to students about the entertainment industry and also was invited as a designer to work for the McLeod Summer Playhouse.”

Life after SIU

After earning a bachelor’s degree from SIU, Rowe received his master’s in theater and set design from the University of Illinois.

“I’m proud to be Illinois-educated,” he said. “From Illinois, I went to Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, Indiana and eventually California working as a painter and assistant designer. Through an SIU connection, I was enticed to go to Los Angeles.”

Once he got on his feet, he found himself working as an assistant on the AMC drama, “Mad Men.”

“That TV show was about the best schooling I could get,” Rowe said. “It got me hooked on TV. I spent a large portion of my TV career bouncing between scripted and live events. They are still both theater to me.”

For someone who spent time as a teenager mowing lawns and listening to the soundtrack for “Rent” on CD, winning an Emmy for working on the live TV version of the play was a dream come true.

“That was my dream job,” Rowe said. “I could never have imagined I would be a part of bringing that show to the national stage on Fox. I had previously worked with Fox, but I was so proud to collaborate with that studio to make something so impactful. That will have a very special place in my heart.”

To learn more about Rowe’s career, visit his professional website www.curiousdoor.com.

To learn more about how to support scholarships like the one that helped him reach his goals, visit www.siuf.org.

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Madeleine Cravens, a Du Quoin native, is a senior studying marketing in the SIU College of Business. She received the Covington Entrepreneurial Award. The scholarship was established by Jon and Patricia Covington. The award is available to marketing undergraduates, who are from Southern Illinois, are working while taking classes and have a goal of owning a business.

Why did you choose SIU? SIU was an easy choice for me. Both of my grandparents, all of my aunts and my dad graduated from SIU with their degrees. My dad was also a part of the SIU football team. The first time I came to visit SIU I knew it is where I wanted to be. It felt like my home away from home, and I have loved my journey here at SIU.

What inspired you to choose your area of study? I would like to say that the decision process of choosing my area of study was simple, but it was not … at all. I changed my major three times before I decided on marketing. I am a people person, and I enjoy anything to do with public speaking. I loved the freedom that a marketing degree would give me. I have also had a love for the medical field, but knew that was not the exact fit for me. My grandfather and father are business owners, so I also enjoy business. I chose marketing so I could pursue a career in medical device sales, and I do not regret my decision for one second.

What was your reaction when you received the Covington Entrepreneurial Award?
I still remember exactly where I was when I found out I had won this award. I was walking into the Student Center for lunch when I received the email. My first reaction was to call my dad. I was in disbelief, and I was so grateful that they felt I was the perfect recipient for this award.

How will the Covington Entrepreneurial Award help you make a difference in society? I am so grateful for this opportunity and what this award has done for me. Achieving this award was one of those moments that I will never forget, and I would like to give that feeling back to someone. Since winning this award, I have done my best to give back to society and help others as much as I can.

Do you have a message that you would like to say to Jon and Patricia Covington?
Yes, and I would like to start with a thank you. Thank you for seeing me as the best fit for your award and trusting in me to take this award and make something great of it and be an example. This award helped me achieve my degree and reach the point in my journey that I am at today. You are appreciated, and I am so thankful for donors like you.

Why should donors consider establishing a scholarship fund for students? Without donors, a lot of the students at SIU would not receive their degree or maybe not even attend college. Scholarships are so important and can change a student’s life. Since I have received this award, I will become a donor in the future so that I can hopefully give a student the same experience and chances that I was given. The students are so grateful and have a great deal of appreciation for our donors. If you are not a donor, I highly recommend rethinking it or learning more about it.

Has receiving this scholarship inspired you to give back to SIU in the future? Receiving this scholarship has most definitely done that for me. I know the comfort, happiness and sense of achievement it brought me, and I would like to give that back to another student someday.

Share a fun fact about yourself: A fun fact about myself would be that I am an internationally signed modeled in three different countries and with four signed agencies.

Tell us about your modeling career: My modeling career started in May of 2018 when I signed a worldwide contract with NEXT Models. That September, I moved to Miami by myself. It was one of my greatest learning experiences and biggest challenges I have ever faced. My freshman and sophomore years of college were some of my favorite years, and I was going to be giving up the Fall 2018 semester, to move away. Little did I know, this move was the first door to an amazing career. I booked my first job there in Miami, with Venus Williams tennis line. I met so many amazing people and do not regret my time there at all. I returned home to Du Quoin that December and signed with Wilhelmina Models in Chicago. This is when my career took off and has changed my life forever. Since I have been with Wilhelmina Chicago, I have had opportunities that I am forever grateful for and will never take for granted. I have had the opportunity to work for Ralph Lauren, Vera Bradley, Nike and those are just to name a few. In July of 2019, I signed with Bookers Modeling Agency in Hamburg, Germany, and New Model Agency in Athens, Greece. I moved to Germany in August and had the experience of a lifetime. Picking a career that has been so demanding while I have also been trying to be a college student, has been nothing but hard, but I would not change it for a second. Signing with these agencies and beginning to work and travel to a different state, four times a week forced me to grow up extremely fast. My junior and senior years of college were not your typical years, but without the determination I had to succeed with this, I would not be where I am today. This career is something I hold near and dear to my heart and always will. It has taught me perseverance, growth, strength, rejection and independence.

How does SIU help you balance both modeling and learning?
When my career began to take off, I was in the thick of my junior year. There were weeks I was in Ohio, Monday through Tuesday; Wisconsin, Wednesday to Thursday; and would only be home on Friday. My professors at SIU have been nothing but understanding and supportive of my career. They have made accommodations to my school work, responded to my emails at 10 p.m. asking about an assignment I missed the lecture for and have continued to follow my journey even after my time with them was finished. I will always thank SIU because without its support and help, my career would not be where it is today.

What has been the highlight of your modeling career while being a student?
My modeling career and my years as a college student are both more than I could have ever asked for. The highlight of my modeling career so far, was my opportunity to work with Vera Bradley in Connecticut and be the face of their new campaign for 2020. I had to miss four days of class and my professors did not blink an eye. They were so happy for me.

What are your plans after graduation?
I will graduate from the College of Business on May 9, 2020. While I will continue to pursue my modeling career, I will also be pursuing a career in medical sales.

What does being a Saluki mean to you?
A Saluki to me means pushing yourself to the best of your ability and to never quit. I will always take pride in being a Southern Illinois University Saluki. It is my family, and it has given me some of my greatest adventures and trials.

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Marshall Brown is a senior studying political science.

What is your level and the degree you will be receiving from SIU?
I will be graduating at the end of this semester. I will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science with a specialty in public service, and a minor in music.

What sparked your interest in this type of degree?
I have always been interested in politics and the news and that is why I have picked political science as my undergraduate degree. While earning my degree in Political Science I decided to seek a graduate degree in public administration. I hope to someday work for a state or federal agency specializing in policy creation/implementation.

What are your plans after graduation?
I will start coursework in the Master of Public Administration program.

What have you enjoyed most about your time at SIU?
The most enjoyable experience I had at SIU was being a member of the marching band directed by Dr. Brozak. Dr. Brozak’s dedication to the program and his leadership made me proud to be a Marching Saluki.

What are your thoughts about receiving the Banterra scholarship and what do you think of Banterra’s efforts toward the community?
I want to thank Banterra for the scholarship I received. Just as important to me as the financial help, is the honor I feel from being recognized by a community leader like Banterra. Over the past years I have become aware of all the good things Banterra does for Southern Illinois, and that made the scholarship I received even more special to me.

 What would you say to other potential donors about giving back to SIU?
That the support from donors means a lot not only to the students, but also to the community. SIU is one of the largest employers in Southern Illinois. Supporting the campus strengthens the community as a whole. It is great to see businesses, in the private sector, such as Banterra take on such a commitment to the community in which they service.

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By Jeff Wilson

Every donation made during the SIU Day of Giving benefits students.

That means funding scholarships, improving facilities, enhancing programs, supporting a cause, etc. Of course, some donations can have an even more direct impact.

That’s what Diamoneek Green, a student ambassador for the Department of Political Science, found out when she earned the 2020 Barbara Brown Internship from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

For a political science major with a pre-law specialty, the chance to work with state legislators in the General Assembly was perfect.

“I’m interning with the Illinois Municipal League,” Green said. “It’s a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that represents Illinois municipalities on a state and federal level. Its work positively impacts the entire state of Illinois and other local governments nationwide.”

Of course, moving from Carbondale to Springfield posed a significant financial challenge. Green was locked into a rental agreement with a local apartment complex but also needed a place to live in Springfield. Having two rent bills to pay would be difficult for anyone, especially a student working an internship.

While living and studying in Carbondale, she worked multiple jobs and found time to volunteer.

“Even with plans to work while doing the internship, it was going to be nearly impossible to make ends meet. I always prided myself on being financially independent,” she said. “I’ve always been ambitious. I didn’t want to go into debt.”

That’s when Green reached out for help. She wrote a heartfelt letter to Todd Bryson, director of the Student Multicultural Resource Centers, and Dr. Linda Baker, a professor at the Simon Institute.

“They were so helpful,” she said. “Todd kept telling me to be patient. He wanted me to focus on this opportunity and not stress about the money.”

It wasn’t long after that Green received a call from Bryson and Dr. Baker informing her that she would receive $1,000 from the Black Resource Center Emergency Tuition Fund. The money in that fund was donated during the 2019 SIU Day of Giving.

“I feel so proud to be part of something that’s bigger than me,” she said. “I can’t wait to give back to students like myself. SIU has been like a second family to me. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll go to a school where people will do everything they can to make sure you succeed. I want to make them proud.”

Drawn to SIU

Raised in Kentucky, Green’s family moved to Cairo, Illinois, before her senior year of high school. At first, she had plans of returning to Kentucky for college.

“My guidance counselor, Zachary Nelson, shared her experience at SIU,” Green said. “Jeff McGoy (director of SIU’s Exploratory Student Advisement) came to our high school. He’s so charismatic, and I looked up to him. I felt like I had to see what SIU was like firsthand. I visited campus and immediately fell in love. Everyone at SIU made me feel good about the transition.

“I’ve had a really good experience. Every one of my concerns was met with solutions. My time as SIU has taught me many lessons, both academic and about life in general. Some of those were tough lessons, but there’s been a recurring positive lesson as well: SIU takes care of those in need.”

If you would like to help students like Diamoneek Green, visit https://siuf.org/giving/college-unit/diversity.php.

Colton Newlin is a student with big aspirations – and it shows. A senior studying psychology and pre-law, Newlin plans to go to law school at either Vanderbilt University or Washington University after he graduates. A chancellor scholar, Newlin said the scholarship he received has made all the difference in his undergraduate experience and has helped pave the way for his plans to attend law school.

“Receiving the scholarship was hugely impactful in my life. I was faced with having to fund my undergraduate education by myself, so when I found out that burden was lifted, it shaved a lot of worry and stress from my life,” Newlin said. “It also allowed me to save money for law school.”

Newlin serves as the Undergraduate Student Government president and it is a position he takes very seriously. “I found running for USG president was a unique opportunity to affect positive change at an imperfect time for our university. I believe it is a way to foster positive relationships with students, faculty and staff,” Newlin said.

Newlin encourages other donors to give back to SIU so that future students can have the same experiences he has had. “It’s my hope that others will donate because they recognize the opportunities they received from others and give those same opportunities to future students.”

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Senior Sarah Hagen from Lemont, Illinois is going places – specifically France for the entire Spring semester of 2020. A chancellor scholar, Hagen is majoring in both physics and international studies with a specialization in French. Hagen will spend the upcoming semester immersing herself in the study of the French language.

When Hagen began considering her university options three years ago, she had plenty to choose from. She had received several acceptance letters, including ones from Purdue, University of Illinois, and Northwestern. But, as Hagen explains, there was something strongly appealing about SIU Carbondale.

“I felt incredibly welcome when I came to visit. I also liked that I would receive research opportunities while still working on my undergraduate degree. Plus, the fact that my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and brother all went to SIU played a determining factor in my choice as well,” she said.

Hagen felt so strongly about SIU that she determined she wanted to come here even if she did not receive the chancellor scholarship.

“I felt like SIU would give me the best opportunity to stand out and make a difference. It has turned out exceedingly well.”

When asked why others should give back to SIU, Hagen said that a donation will encourage other bright young minds and enable them to come to a university that will be attentive to their needs.

Make a gift online for SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 4, 2020: siuday.siu.edu

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Chase Rich
Originally from Mattoon, Illinois, Chase Rich chose SIU for his undergraduate studies because he received a University Excellence scholarship. Rich earned an undergraduate degree in paralegal studies and immediately set his sights on a law degree from the SIU School of Law. Now a third-year law student, Rich does not regret his decisions.

“The SIU School of Law makes getting a law degree affordable without graduating with a $100,000 in debt,” he said. Rich also likes how the professors treat students. “I have found the professors treat the students extremely well. They are here to help and not to humiliate,” he said.

Rich hopes people will give to the School of Law during this year’s SIU Day of Giving. “There are several funds people could support, such as a student scholarship fund or moot court fund,” said Rich.

Patricia Pfeiffer
Patricia Pfeiffer, a second-year law student and a Carbondale, Illinois native, appreciates the financial help she received from the School of Law Strategic Excellent Fund. “As a single parent of a 13-year-old and an 8-year-old, the scholarship I received really has made all the difference,” said Pfeiffer.

“The financial support has lessened my student loan burden, helped pay for babysitters and overall helped me be a better parent and law school student,” said Powell.

“I remember when I was presented with the scholarship, I looked over at my children and I could see their beaming faces. They were so proud and happy for me, “she said.

Pfeiffer encourages everyone to give to the SIU School of Law initiative of their choice during the SIU Day of Giving.

Logan Wallace
Logan Wallace, a second-year law student from Homestead, Iowa, says receiving financial aid was the driving force in his decision to attend SIU School of Law. “It really made all the difference. I’m so glad I chose SIU because I’ve grown to love this university and this school,” he said. Wallace says he hopes donors will give back to help other students like him. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the financial help I received,” he said.

Deidre Powell
Deidre Powell is also a second-year law student and is a non-traditional student. Powell would recommend the SIU School of Law to other students.

“SIU School of Law is very welcoming and warm. I also like that the student to professor ratio is low,” said Powell. She received several scholarships to attend law school, one of which was the SIU Alumni Textbook Scholarship.

“That SIU Alumni Textbook Scholarship, along with others I received, helped me pay for the books I need and just eased my overall worry about my finances. I really appreciate the assistance I have received,” she said. Powell hopes that after graduation she can find a job in estate or tort law.

Make a gift online for SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 4, 2020: siuday.siu.edu

Alfred Jamal Kinchen is a student with many talents. A junior at SIU, Kinchen is working on double majors in both Aviation Management and Piano Performance. His dream is to one day be a commercial airline pilot but he hopes he can continue to play piano on the side.

A University Excellence scholar and a recipient of the Steven Barwick scholarship, Kinchen says that if it wasn’t for those scholarships, he would not be enrolled at SIU today.

“My parents said they could not afford to send me to college. The only way I could go was if I received enough scholarships. When I opened that letter telling me I won those two scholarships, it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders,” said Kinchen. “I am forever grateful for those scholarships.”

When asked what he likes most about SIU, he could not pick just one thing. “I really like the size of the university. For me, it’s not too small and yet it isn’t too big. I also don’t feel like I’m just another face in the crowd. Everyone in both the music and the aviation programs have been so helpful. I feel like I know everyone – from students to professors. It just feels very comfortable,” he said.

Kinchen encourages alumni to give back to SIU. “It is so hard financially for so many students here. I just hope that alumni remember how they felt when they were a student. A helping hand is what so many students need right now,” Kinchen said.

“I hope one day to create a scholarship specially for disadvantaged students. I’d like to focus on giving back to minorities. I think scholarships would encourage more minorities to receive an education like I have.”

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