Welcome to a series of stories celebrating SIU’s 150th anniversary.

Melina Launay is a senior from Mt. Vernon, Illinois, studying elementary education.

Why did you choose SIU?
I chose to go to SIU because they made me feel confident in their ability to lead me onto becoming a great teacher. I am very excited about the progress I have made as a future educator.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
I decided to become a teacher because I want to be that positive influence in the students who may not have someone at home. I love children and I have a strong desire to see our future generations grow up and lead the country. Strong and caring teachers need to be teaching our future politicians, doctors, and inventors.

What was your reaction when you received the Bertrand scholarship?
I was actually very surprised. I had not heard anything from the scholarships and just assumed I did not make the cut. I was very overwhelmed with joy upon receiving notice of my scholarship.

How will the Bertrand scholarship help you make a difference in society?
This scholarship made me realize how fortunate I am a student of Southern Illinois University. I am passing the word and encouraging other students to apply for SIU and their scholarships because they are available for so many different students of all kinds.

Do you have a message that you would like to share with Mr. and Mrs. Bertrand?
I would like to thank you for your generous donation. This scholarship is helping me pay for schooling, as well as limit the amount of student debt I will have upon graduation. I am using this money towards school, which ends up helping me buy supplies for my future classroom because I have more money in my pocket. I greatly appreciate your scholarship, and I hope to use this to take every opportunity I have at becoming the best possible teacher.

Why should donors consider establishing a scholarship fund for students?
I am very fortunate. However, many people I know do not continue their education because they cannot afford it. Financial aid can be hard to complete for students who may have messy family situations. Scholarships are a great way to give back to the community and invest in the life of a prospective leader.

Has receiving this scholarship inspired you to give back to SIU in the future?
I will definitely consider finding a way to give some sort of donation to either a student or school in the future. I want to make a difference in the lives of others, and I was very appreciative of my scholarship.

Engage with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Welcome to a series of stories celebrating SIU’s 150th anniversary.

Leah Hall is a freshman from Carbondale, Illinois, studying animal production.

Why did you choose SIU?
SIU has a great animal science program that could offer me a lot of hands-on experience.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
I’ve been obsessed with animal science since I was a kid. I would always choose Animal Planet over cartoons and I decided to turn that childhood passion into a career.

What was your reaction when you received the Bertrand scholarship?
I was so surprised. This scholarship took a huge weight off my shoulders. I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay my tuition for the semester, so it felt like the greatest gift ever.

How will the Bertrand scholarship help you make a difference in society?
Every single scholarship I receive motivates me to be a better student and a better person. Having complete strangers believe in me and my ability to succeed just makes me confident that my passion will impact others.

Do you have a message that you would like to share with Mr. and Mrs. Bertrand?
I’m so grateful that you saw something in me that was worth rewarding. Lately, every time I feel down I just remember this blessing and that without it, I could have been in a much worse situation. Thank you.

Why should donors consider establishing a scholarship fund for students?
There shouldn’t be a price tag on education, but unfortunately, there is. There are thousands of students like me who have to work while attending school and that kind of pressure shouldn’t be put on anyone if it doesn’t have to be.

Has receiving this scholarship inspired you to give back to SIU in the future?
I want to give back by using what I learn at SIU to enter the agricultural industry and leave my mark.

Engage with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Welcome to a series of stories celebrating SIU’s 150th anniversary.

By Ron Reeves

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Nigel Kilby, a junior from Fort Wayne, Indiana and a member of the Saluki Football team, received the Herrin Security Bank Athletic Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic school year. Kilby was honorable mention All-MVFC last season, recording a season-high seven catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns against South Dakota.

“Nigel is a transfer student-athlete to SIU who has done an outstanding job,” said head football coach Nick Hill. “He has done well in the classroom and has made a big impact on the field and we are looking forward to his senior year.”

While at Garden City Community College, Kilby was rated the No. 37 junior college prospect in the country, and according to 247sports.com, he was the No. 3 junior college tight end. During his first season as a Saluki, he caught 16 passes for 230 yards, a 14.38 yard average and scored 6 touchdowns.

“Nigel is in a difficult degree program (Exercise Science) and has powered through at every step,” said Hilary Wittenborn, academic coordinator. “He values his education and knows how to balance it all.”

This fund was established on behalf of Charles Helleny and Sharon Ruth Helleny, SIU graduates from the College of Business and Administration and the College of Education, respectively. Charles is a strong supporter of Southern Illinois University sports and WSIU-TV8. He graduated from SIU with a degree in business administration in 1954. In 1957, Helleny began his career as a bookkeeper at Herrin Security Bank during the bank’s first year of operation. During his tenure at Herrin Security Bank, Helleny worked as a teller, assistant cashier, loan officer, cashier and executive vice president. In 1975, he became the director of Herrin Security Bank and in 2001 was named president and chief executive. In 2018, SIU Athletics named the pavilion in SIU Arena the Charles Helleny Pavilion. Additionally, the first Division I home men’s basketball game has been named the Charles Helleny Tip-Off Classic.

“This scholarship will open an unbelievable amount of doors for me,” said Kilby. “It gives me the opportunity to earn my degree and compete in a sport I love.”

Kilby said he is grateful for the opportunity the scholarship has created for him.

“This scholarship has helped my family and me immensely. I am very blessed and thankful.”

To see a full list of athletic endowments, click HERE.

By Ron Reeves

CARBONDALE, Ill. — ZeVeyon Furcron, a sophomore from Crest Hill and a member of the Saluki Football team, received the Julius A. and Norma H. Johnson Athletic Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic school year. Furcron helped pave the way for 1,000 – yard rusher D.J. Davis in 2018.

“ZeVeyon does everything right for our team and leads by example,” said head football coach Nick Hill. “His attitude and personality is contagious and makes people around him better.”

“Having a scholarship here at SIU is a huge deal for my family and me,” said Furcron. “I am the first one in my immediate family to go to college with a scholarship.”

Even though he redshirted during his first year at SIU, Furcron was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Academic Honor Roll and the team’s Defensive Scout Player of the Year. During this past season, he switched positions from defensive tackle to left guard which helped improve the offensive line.

“This scholarship shows that all my mom’s hard work didn’t go to waste,” added Furcron. “I am able to pay her back with this scholarship and by hopefully making it to the NFL one day.”

Julius Johnson was a St. Louis, Missouri native who earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from SIU in 1975. As a member of the 1956 and 1957 SIU gymnastics team, Julius was a stellar performer especially on the parallel bars. After receiving his degree, he served in the Army before earning his law degree from Howard University in 1963. Julius and Norma were married in June 1964. Julius worked as public defender, law school lecturer, and assistant U.S. attorney before his appointment as administrative judge for the Department of Labor in 1976. He was honored in 1997 as an SIU Distinguished Alumni. Norma Johnson was a Lake Charles, La. native, who was the first African-American women appointed as the U.S. District Court Chief Judge. Julius passed away in 2010, and Norma in 2011. Their legacy continues to this very day.

Engage with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Welcome to a series of stories celebrating SIU’s 150th anniversary.

Max Goins is a senior from Herrin, Illinois, studying history.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
I enjoyed watching the History Channel as a kid a lot. I also liked going through old photographs of my town Herrin.

What was your reaction when you received the Bertrand scholarship?
I was overjoyed.

How will the Bertrand scholarship help you make a difference in society?
Since this will make it easier to further my education, I will be able to share my knowledge with others.

Do you have a message that you would like to share with Mr. and Mrs. Bertrand?
I would like to thank them for helping me and allowing me to further my education.

Why should donors consider establishing a scholarship fund for students?
If you can help students then they can then give back to the community one day.

Has receiving this scholarship inspired you to give back to SIU in the future?
I believe all scholarships make people feel inspired to give back. It really just sparks the giving chain and makes you truly happy.

Engage with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Randall Grider is a senior from Johnston City, Illinois, studying sociology.

Why did you choose SIU?
I chose SIU because I had firsthand experience with the campus environment while growing up in the area. I really enjoyed the feel of the campus, not too small and not too big, which is something I didn’t find at any of the other universities I visited.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
I really enjoy studying the social world and trying to understand our current social problems. Studying sociology has definitely been the right major for doing this.

What was your reaction when you received the Bertrand scholarship?
I was extremely grateful. Going to school full time while also working can be very stressful, so receiving this scholarship lifted some of that burden.

Do you have a message that you would like to share with Mr. and Mrs. Bertrand?
I would just like to thank them for their generosity. Not everyone is as kind or generous as the Bertrands are, and this truly makes a difference in so many students’ lives.

Why should donors consider establishing a scholarship fund for students?
Donors can truly impact so many people’s lives by establishing a scholarship fund.  From the student’s perspective, receiving a scholarship is so helpful.

Has receiving this scholarship inspired you to give back to SIU in the future?
I have worked with the Johnston City Music Alumni Association in giving scholarships to local high school seniors each year, who mostly go to SIU.  But I would definitely like to set up a larger scholarship fund in the future if I am able to.

Engage with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

By Drew Novara

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Kyleigh Decker, a junior from Casey, Ill. and member of the Saluki Softball team, received the Virginia Gordon Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic school year. Decker is studying to become a physician’s assistant.

“When you talk about Kyleigh, she really embodies what student-athlete means,” said head softball coach Kerri Blaylock. “She’s one of the best athletes we have and in the classroom she’s working hard to pursue her dream of becoming a physician’s assistant. She’s just phenomenal.”

“When I signed my National Letter of Intent (NLI) to come to SIU, I knew that I would have to start focusing on a future beyond athletics,” said Decker. “That’s when I found a love for medicine.”

Her hard work in the classroom has paid off as she has been recognized for her academic achievements in each of her first two years at SIU. She is a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar-Athlete, was named to the MVC’s Academic Honor Roll and is an MVC Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award recipient.

Decker has excelled on the softball field as well. As a freshman, she hit a two-run home run in her first plate appearance and went on to start 17 games for the Salukis. As a sophomore, Decker started in all 53 games. She hit .273 with seven doubles, two triples and seven home runs to go along with her 23 RBIs. She finished second on the team in runs scored (33) and third in home runs (7).

Said Blaylock, “she’s one of the most mature and driven players I’ve ever coached.”

“The Virginia Gordon Scholarship isn’t just an award to me,” said Decker. “It’s an opportunity to open new doors and to become the person I’ve dreamed of being!”