William Locher is a junior from Springfield, Illinois, studying international affairs and German.

Why did you choose SIU?
It sounds cliché every time I talk about it, but when I came to SIU for a visit, the staff and faculty laid everything out on the table and made it feel like they truly wanted me to come here. It was very apparent that this university cares about the students it brings in. I knew I could succeed with that kind of mentality among SIU faculty and staff. I haven’t been disappointed for a second in this regard since being here.

What would you tell a prospective student about SIU?
The faculty and staff care about us doing well as students and want to help in any way possible. I would also say that there are just so many avenues to pursue success here. Again, it sounds cliché, but it’s true. Finding a group, professor, job, etc. to push you forward in your career is not a difficult thing to do here, it’s just a matter of taking the opportunities put in front of you.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
I was on a school trip to Germany in high school where I lived with a host family for three weeks and traveled through Germany for an additional week. Throughout the experience, I was captivated by the culture, but also by the similarities and differences of the German culture and American culture. Learning about the German education, economic, and political system made me wonder about how our systems work together in the greater scheme of things. I’ve always wanted to work with people, as well. I told myself when we were standing outside the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and the United States Embassy that I would work in that exact building (the Embassy) someday.

What is your most memorable experience at SIU?
There are quite a few that come to mind, but definitely one of the top was the eclipse. I’ve told people that the eclipse was one of the top five single events of my life, really. It was incredible to see the masses of people come to Carbondale. I loved how everyone embraced it and showed our pride for everyone to see from all over the country.

Have you received any scholarships as a student? 
I am a University Excellence Scholar.

What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals?
This scholarship means everything to me. I probably would have come to SIU even without the scholarship, just based on how the faculty and staff treated me when I came here for the first time, but it definitely helps. This scholarship has given me the opportunity to start my life after college on the right foot to avoid debt. This scholarship, paired with working as University Housing student staff has made it possible for me to pursue even higher goals for after my time at SIU. Saving money now means I have the opportunity to do more later.

How has SIU inspired you?
My courses at SIU have truly shaped the way I think. In the political science department, at least, my professors – especially Dr. Shulman and Dr. Tilley – have provided the best possible environment for productive discussion. I have learned more in their classes about people and ideas than anywhere else. They have taught me that there is always a counter-argument to every point and that we, as productive members of society, MUST be willing to see that counter-argument to any point we may make. It’s crucial to positively impacting our society and our world. It’s how we will move forward.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU?
Because SIU is making life happen for a lot of people. It’s inspiring people to go out and do big things for the world. I know I’ve felt that way.

What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU?
I brag about how well I know my professors and how easy it is to get involved with anything you want. I love the relationships I’ve built with my professors; it’s something most other universities cannot offer. From what my friends at other places have said, they only see their professor when they go to class and sometimes even only on test days, which isn’t even close to the case for me. I brag about how easy it is to commit yourself to the university in any way possible and to develop yourself professionally and socially.

If you had $1,000 to donate to the SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit?
I would donate it for student worker positions or to help the prospect of new residence halls. Student workers are really important to the campus, but it could be argued that jobs are even more important to those students that have them or, more importantly, don’t have them due to a lack of funding. Many students work so hard to help themselves with school payments and other financial strains, and many of those that want jobs on campus can’t get them because of insufficient funds. I think the campus would benefit greatly from more students being directly involved with the campus and it would make many feel even better about being here.

You can support SIU students during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 7, 2018: https://siuday.siu.edu/

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

Anna Radecki is a junior from Oswego, Illinois, studying dental hygiene.

Why did you choose SIU?
I chose SIU because of the Dental Hygiene Program. This is the only bachelor’s degree program for dental hygiene in Illinois, which will make me more qualified to work in different dental hygiene fields.

What would you tell a prospective student about SIU?
I would tell a prospective student to choose SIU if they want to find a second home while getting an amazing education.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
I was inspired to study dental hygiene because my orthodontist and my dentist at home gave me the smile I always wanted. I would love to do the same for others!!

What is your most memorable experience at SIU?
My most memorable experience at SIU was accepting my bid to my sorority, Delta Zeta, and joining the amazing Greek community here!

Have you received any scholarships as a student?
I am a University Excellence Scholarship recipient!

What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals?
This scholarship is very important to me because it has taken the financial burden of paying for tuition off me and my family. I can focus on learning instead of focusing on how to pay for my education.

How has SIU inspired you?
SIU has inspired me because of all the recent advancements in my dental hygiene program that have made me excited for my future career. For example, after years of waiting, the dental hygiene program has finally received a digital Panoramic machine for radiographs which will better prepare me and my peers in the program.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU?
Someone should consider donating to SIU, specifically the College of Applied Sciences and Arts, because my peers and I are the next generation coming into the medical field and donations would give us experiences to help better treat patients in the future.

What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU?
When I talk to my friends about SIU, I brag about the unique programs that many other in-state schools do not offer. I also brag about Greek Life to my friends from back home. The Greek Community here has made Carbondale feel like home and I could not imagine going to school anywhere else.

If you had $1,000 to donate to SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit?
If I had $1,000 to donate to SIU, I would donate to the Dental Hygiene Program in order to cover the cost of a student’s dental hygiene instruments. These instruments are incredibly costly and I would love to help take away the financial burden from a student coming into the program.

You can support SIU students during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 7, 2018: https://siuday.siu.edu/

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

Mitchell A. Niccolai is a senior from California, Pennsylvania, studying Wildlife Habitat Management and Conservation.

Why did you choose SIU?
I visited the campus and saw how beautiful it was along with the surrounding natural areas and fell in love. Hunting, fishing, camping, and pretty much anything outside has been a large part of my life and coming to SIU allowed me to continue those activities through my college years. I was also swayed after speaking with some of the faculty in the forestry department and researching the quality of the program.

What would you tell a prospective student about SIU?
SIU is a rather large university, but also provides that small college feel. Campus is full of others that share your interests and ideas, but is also home to those who are different than you, which make it a great place to grow as a person while expanding your views. The City of Carbondale is definitely something else, too!

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
Growing up, I spent most of my time in the outdoors with family and friends. From hunting to fishing to camping to boating, we were always outside. This has always made me want to choose a career in the environmental field and the forestry program here at SIU bridged the gap between dream and reality.

What is your most memorable experience at SIU?
The SIU student body holidays are always a good time, but the friendships and bonds formed here are going to last a lifetime and will always be the most memorable aspect about my time at SIU.

Have you received any scholarships as a student?
I am currently receiving the Dean’s Scholarship.

What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals?
The Dean Scholarship and the in-state tuition both mean a lot to me. Not only did they make it possible for me to attend SIU, but they made all the hard work I put into school in high school well worth it. This acknowledgement of my successes and knowing the work it took me to achieve those successes continues to drive me to work hard and give the best effort I can give in everything that I do.

How has SIU inspired you?
Being an officer (president and vice-president) of the collegiate chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association here on campus has inspired me to lead others. It has also inspired me to help others while in the process of leading.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU?
Overall, SIU provides an excellent environment for learning, social activities, and research but none of that would be possible without donations.

What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU?
The quality of the forestry program and the research opportunities that I have been able to be a part of.

If you had $1,000 to donate to SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit?
Supporting Touch of Nature not only helps to support SIU students but members of the community as well. Working there has allowed me to learn about various aspects of recreation and given me the opportunity to pass that new knowledge on to the groups we work with. Touch of Nature has provides a hands-on arena for many of my classes by bringing the information learned in the lecture into perspective and showing its practical use.

You can support SIU students during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 7, 2018: https://siuday.siu.edu/

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

Caleb Gomes is a junior from Du Quoin, Illinois, studying Music Theory & Composition in Higher Education.

Why did you choose SIU?
I came to visit SIU a year before my freshman year as a prospective student, and got a chance to meet with some of the School of Music professors. The amount of interest that they invested in me that day, in what they could do for me, what SIU could do for me, and what I could bring to SIU, along with specific things they could do to help me reach my specific career goals, absolutely amazed me. It was an immediate personal connection that I failed to make at any other university that I visited. That was the primary reason I came to SIU. Even on my prospective visit, I was already family.

What would you tell a prospective student about SIU?
Do what I did. Come to SIU, see the campus for yourself. Even if you live 20 minutes from campus, you don’t know what you’re missing. There’s so much about SIU to discover that even the local people don’t know about. You gotta dig in, find your professors and ask them questions. Everyone is so willing to give answers. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learnt from going here the last two years. Ask questions. It takes you so far here.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
Music is a huge passion of mine, but I’ve always been a good all-around student. I originally came to SIU pursuing pre-optometry and horn performance. Over the course of my first two semesters, I discovered my true interests. Although I was excelling in my science classes, I decided that I had a true knack for music composition. So, with the mentoring of my music professors, I changed my track to Music Theory & Composition in Higher Education. It’s the best decision I have made. I’ve gotten so many amazing opportunities in music composition and performance through the SIU School of Music that I never dreamed I’d be able to have.

What is your most memorable experience at SIU?
Every time I get to perform at SIU, whether it’s with the SIU Wind Ensemble, SIU Concert Choir, SIU Symphonic Band, Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra, SIU Pep Band, or the SIU Marching Salukis, it’s always a memorable experience. But I think my most memorable would be performing with the Marching Salukis during the recent eclipse at Saluki Stadium. Being in that stadium and experiencing the eclipse with 15,000 other people along with all my dear friends in the Marching Salukis was absolutely amazing.

Have you received any scholarships as a student?
I have received several scholarships through the College of Liberal Arts for performing the SIU’s ensembles. I’m also a recipient of the University Excellence Scholarship.

What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals?
Receiving the College of Liberal Arts scholarships has definitely given me motivation to further pursue music and perform in as many ensembles as I can. I’m actually thinking of joining the SIU Studio Jazz Orchestra next semester. These scholarships have definitely eased the cost of being a music major at SIU as well. Instrument repair, upkeep costs and ensemble costs can add up

How has SIU inspired you?
I would say the most inspiring person at SIU is my horn professor, Prof. Jennifer Presar. She has a pure passion for music that I’ve never experienced from anyone else. She’s taught me so much about music, and how to put emotion into my music and my playing. She’s also been a great mentor for me, guiding me through all my classes and recommending workshops, composition and performance opportunities, and connecting me to amazing people in the musical world.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU?
In today’s age of exceedingly higher education costs for students, any help along the way with scholarships is such a burden reliever for students. They provide motivation to pursue specific career goals. They help ease the costs of fees, and help the students focus on what they’re here for, an amazing education. They also let the student know that there are people who genuinely care about them and their futures and are willing to pay to make sure they reach their goals.

What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU?
We have one of the most gorgeous campuses that I’ve ever been to. Places like Thompson Woods, Campus Lake, Touch of Nature, and Giant City Park are the reasons why some people come to SIU in the first place. As a tour guide, bringing my group through Thompson Woods is always my favorite. I love seeing their face in awe as they realize that we actually have a gorgeous forest in the middle of our campus.

If you had $1,000 to donate to the SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit?
I’d put it towards funding our graduate school programs here. For me, having a graduate student that’s received their bachelor’s degree in the same program I’m pursuing can provide a great resource for me. I can ask them questions, gain knowledge, and be inspired by them. Having this extra fund in our graduate school program definitely gives incentive for more graduate students to come here to learn from our professors, while teaching and inspiring the next generation of undergraduates.

You can support SIU students during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 7, 2018: https://siuday.siu.edu/

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

Matthew Cagle is a freshman from Herrin, Illinois, studying accounting.

Why did you choose SIU?
I chose SIU because the College of Business is ranked among the top 5% in the world. Also, I have grown up around SIU my entire life, so it is like home to me. I have been coming to SIU basketball games since I was a kid.

What would you tell a prospective student about SIU?
No matter what a prospective student may be looking for in their college experience, SIU has it. For students who are looking for a small university, the student to faculty ratio at SIU is 15:1; and for those who are looking for a larger school, SIU is big enough to continually meet new people. The university offers great academics and is perfectly sized.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
My dad graduated from SIU with an accounting degree, just as I plan to do. Talking to him throughout my life shaped my career aspirations.

What is your most memorable experience at SIU?
My most memorable experience at SIU has been meeting new people through the different organizations I am involved in.

Have you received any scholarships as a student?
I received the Chancellor’s scholarship here at SIU.

What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals?
For me, the scholarship represents SIU’s recognition of my past accomplishments and the university’s belief in me to continue my good work. It has enabled me to attend school without having to worry about financial troubles, which is a huge head start on the road to my goals.

How has SIU inspired you?
The College of Business at SIU has great career services for students, and I am confident in their ability to launch my career. They also have many registered student organizations that provide great opportunities for students to learn about their fields in an extracurricular setting.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU?
People should consider donating to SIU since the university is small enough to see a direct impact of funds. The university has the academic accreditation to become a large institution, but it needs assistance from outside resources to grow.

What do you brag on most when you tell your friends about SIU?
Being an accounting major, I always brag on the College of Business when I talk to my friends about SIU. It is ranked among the top 5% of business schools in the WORLD, yet many people do not realize how prestigious the college is.

If you had $1,000 to donate to SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit? 
If I had $1,000 to donate to SIU, I would like to see the money go towards research at the university. Undergraduate research is a major benefit that SIU offers, and I would like to see research opportunities grow and become more accessible to students.

You can support SIU students during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 7, 2018: https://siuday.siu.edu/

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

Britt Peyton is a first-year student from Norris City, Illinois, studying physiology.

Why did you choose SIU?
I chose SIU for a few reasons. The first reason is that SIU felt like home. I’ve grown up in southern Illinois, so SIU automatically felt like where I should be. Another reason is the research that happens at SIU. I started working as a research assistant in Dr. Gilbert’s Integrative Neuroscience Laboratory as a freshman, and I knew that SIU was one of the only universities that could give me that opportunity.

What would you tell a prospective student about SIU?
No matter what your major is or what your interests are, SIU has something for you. Whether you’re a business major who could be a part of the Saluki Student Investment Fund, or a pre-medicine student who could be in a research lab, or a forestry student who might work at SIU’s Touch of Nature, you can thrive in your major and pursue your interests.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
I’m studying physiology in the hopes of going to medical school. What inspired me to choose this path and area of study was loving science and wanting to have a career that meant something to me. I know that going into medicine will be difficult, but the thought of working as a physician and helping people and continue learning new things throughout my life will be well worth it.

What is your most memorable experience at SIU?
So far, my most memorable experience has been making friends and the memories I’ve had with those people. I knew nobody when I first came to SIU. Seeing how welcoming and friendly everyone was here really helped me come out of my comfort zone and find the people that I now call my friends.

Have you received any scholarships as a student?
Yes, I received a few local scholarships my senior year of high school, as well as SIU’s Chancellor’s Scholarship.

What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals?
The Chancellor’s Scholarship means the world to me. It has enabled me to completely focus on my classes and extracurricular activities instead of worrying how I’d pay for college. It’s also allowed me to put all of my local scholarships aside, which I’m also incredibly grateful for, and save them for medical school and maybe even studying abroad.

How has SIU inspired you?
SIU, most of all, has inspired me to be the very best I can be. Whether that be through professors who have encouraged me to take that extra class, or advisors who encouraged me to join a research lab as a freshman, or RSOs that have allowed me to be more involved on campus than I thought possible in my first year. Every aspect of my experience at SIU has taught me to push myself and that my experience here can be as great as I make it.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU?
Someone should donate to SIU because of the promise our students have. There are students here going overseas to help deliver medical supplies to countries that need them, students who are involved in life-changing research, and first generation college students graduating and making the world a better place. Donating to SIU would be helping these students, as well as many more students who are doing equally amazing things.

What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU?
I brag most about all of the opportunities I’ve had, even just in my first year here. SIU had enough faith in me to award me a full-ride scholarship. I’m involved in an exceptional research lab as a first-year student, I get to be a part of bringing new students to SIU through being a Saluki Ambassador, and those are just a few examples of how SIU has given me more opportunities than I thought possible.

If you had $1,000 to donate to the SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit?
I would like to see that money benefit paid research assistant positions. It is my understanding that students used to get paid while working in a research lab, so I would love to see that come back. My main reason for that is because I, as well as other students, work in research labs and don’t have time to have paid jobs outside of class and research, so it would be extremely helpful to us if we could have both in one.

You can support SIU students during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 7, 2018: https://siuday.siu.edu/

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

Rebecca Harris is a junior from Metamora, Illinois, studying pre-veterinary medicine.

Why did you choose SIU?
The biggest reason I chose SIU was because of the outstanding research opportunities and hands-on experience within the College of Agricultural Sciences. In my first semester of attending SIU, I was already volunteering to help with research on deer palatability studies and have since helped with nutrition research in cattle. I was also volunteering at the University Farms in my first semester. I now have a job with the beef and swine centers where there is always something for me to learn and further enrich my education outside of the classroom. SIU is well-rounded, in my opinion, from varying aspects: affordable costs (because of the numerous generous scholarships awarded), quality programs, and staff that actually care about their students.

What would you tell a prospective student about SIU?
Get involved! Your education is truly what you make of it and the opportunities are endless. There are so many clubs around campus to choose from that you are sure to find something you enjoy. In the process, you may find yourself making new friendships that will last a lifetime.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
Since a young age, I have always known that pursuing a career in veterinary medicine was something I have wanted to do. I am extremely passionate about animals and love being able to help them.

What is your most memorable experience at SIU?
In my introduction to animal science lab, I got extra credit for sticking my arm into a cannulated cow without a glove on. This was pretty early on in my studies at SIU and not something I thought I would be doing for a class. The animal science classes have been really awesome and rewarding.

Have you received any scholarships as a student?
Yes. SIU Dean’s Scholarship D4, Harold and Nora Kuehn Animal Science Scholarship, and the Walter Wills Animal Science Scholarship.

What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals?
The scholarships I have received have enabled me to pursue my dreams ultimately with minimal debt. I am so thankful to have been blessed with the scholarships I have gotten.

How has SIU inspired you?
SIU has inspired me to try things outside of my comfort zone. Last year when applying for summer internships, one of my biology lab teaching assistants recommended that I apply for jobs in wildlife conservation and so I did. This past summer, I worked for Idaho Fish and Game on a research project to gain wolf population estimates and now am extremely interested in wildlife and ranch veterinary medicine. This aspect of my career field is something I never really considered before attending SIU.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU?
Donors are what make many of the scholarships students receive possible and thus make obtaining an education easier! They also are what enable many of our opportunities (like funded research) to be possible.

What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU?
For being in Illinois, you really do not feel like you are in Illinois. There are so many things to do outdoors from cliff jumping at Lake Kincaid, horseback riding at any of the local stables, or even just hiking and camping in the nearby national forests like Shawnee National Forest. Southern Illinois isn’t just a flat piece of land with corn and beans; there are rolling hills with forests and so much to explore. It is quite a nice change of scenery and the area in general has a small-town feel, which I prefer.

If you had $1,000 to donate to SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit?
If I had $1,000 to donate to SIU, I would like to the money go towards the beef and swine centers at the farms. There are many useful things the funds could go towards including updating facilities and equipment. The farms in my opinion are such a valuable learning aspect of SIU’s College of Agricultural Sciences that are underappreciated and sometimes even taken for granted.

You can support SIU students during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 7, 2018: https://siuday.siu.edu/

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

Alejandro Narvaez-Colon is a junior from San Juan, Puerto Rico, studying computer science.

Why did you choose SIU?
With a deep passion for conducting research, I chose SIU because it is a top-tier research institution. I knew SIU would allow me to perform all the academic activities I wanted to take part in during my college career.

What would you tell a prospective student about SIU?
It is a very resourceful institution, and they should take advantage of all the opportunities they can manage to get.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
When I was 13 years old, my father — a businessman providing services to gas stations around Puerto Rico — took me to his office to work together on the design of a point of sales software that would satisfy the general needs of gas station managers. As I observed him develop the software, I became fascinated by the magic of programming, where simple words serve as the building blocks to endless computer functionalities. Amazed by what I learned by my father’s side, I decided to learn how to code. Two years later, my dad’s software was fully developed, and I had taught myself how to program in Java. I promised my dad I would create a smartphone application that would accompany his software. With this commitment to programming, I chose computer science as my career path and am now in the process of becoming the software engineer I want to be. 

What is your most memorable experience at SIU?
For three months, my Chinese professor took an hour every single Monday, Wednesday and Friday in order to catch me up with what every other student had learned the previous semester. This helped me enormously, and if it weren’t for his kindness and dedication to my learning and understanding, I would not be where I am today. 

Have you received any scholarships as a student?
I have received the Dean’s Scholarship, Dr. Albert Somit’s Scholarship and the Minority Scholarship.

What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals?
It has been an amazing help to be able to have that financial weight taken off my shoulders. Because of these scholarships, I have been able to spend less time working and more time studying, researching and contributing my time to SIU.

How has SIU inspired you?
The professional development opportunities I have had at SIU have inspired me to go after the things I want without fear of rejection, because if you work hard, you will get what you are after. Guaranteed.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU?
Donating to SIU would allow more students like me, who want to make the best out of their college education, to strive and not worry about financial limitations. I know too many people who are either drowning in debt from their student loans or that have had to drop out of SIU because they cannot afford their education.

What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU?
The Saluki Student Investment Fund is the most amazing organization of which I have ever been a part. It is so nice to be managing an actual portfolio just like you would at an actual job.

You can support SIU students during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 7, 2018: https://siuday.siu.edu/

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

Brooklyn Bowers is a senior from McLeansboro, Illinois, studying biological sciences and pre-medicine.

Why did you choose SIU?
SIU was close to my hometown and I received the Dean Scholarship when I applied. I am very family oriented and wanted to stay as close to home as possible for the time being.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
In grade school, I was always attracted to science. In high school, I got the chance to job shadow an ER doctor and I was hooked ever since.

What are your hobbies, interests, and/or activity groups that you are currently involved in?
I am currently involved in cheerleading and gymnastics at Ultimate Gymnastics. I am also trying to collect food, water and clothing with a group for the people effected by hurricane Harvey and hurricane Irma.

What was your reaction when you learned that you received the Bertrand scholarship?
I was shocked when I got the e-mail. I was certain that they had me mixed up with another individual!

What does receiving the Bertrand scholarship mean to you? What difference did it make in your life?
The Bertrand scholarship lifted a financial burden off my shoulders. I work approximately 45 hours per week to make ends meet and go to school full time. Receiving this scholarship will allow me to work less and focus on my education.

How has the donor’s generosity impacted your view on your education and goals for the future?
Their generosity makes me believe that my goals for the future are actually reachable.

How will the Bertrand scholarship help you make a difference in society?
The Bertrand scholarship will potentially save lives one day. I have full intentions of becoming an emergency room physician and am currently applying to medical school, which is also very expensive. When I first started at SIU three years ago, I was not sure if I would ever be able to make my dreams of becoming a doctor happen because I had no financial support.

Why should donors consider establishing a scholarship fund for students?
Scholarships truly make a difference and you could be supporting the person who finds a cure for cancer or becomes the next president. This provides opportunities for people who may not receive a degree due to financial burden. Life happens and while you’re in college it’s nice to know that you have support in achieving your dreams. If it wasn’t for my supportive family and receiving scholarships there is no way that I could have pursued this career path. If a student is willing to put the effort into earning an honest degree they should get the opportunity.

How would you like to support SIU students in the future?
In the future, I plan to establish my own scholarship fund to support SIU students.

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

Jacob Trammel is a senior from Elkville, Illinois, studying physiology.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
I chose physiology on a pre-med track as my major so that I could develop a more advanced understanding of the physical and biochemical principals that govern the way our bodies work before attending medical school.

What are your hobbies, interests, and/or activity groups that you are currently involved in?
I am a brother of the Kappa Alpha Order (social fraternity), a member of the Timmy Global Health chapter on campus, a volunteer research assistant in Dr. Hylin’s traumatic brain injury rehabilitation lab, and a member of the Student Leadership Honor Society on campus. I enjoy outdoor activities, painting, playing the guitar, singing, leisure reading, and watching the St. Louis Blues.

What was your reaction when you learned that you received the Bertrand scholarship?
When I first saw that I had been awarded the Bertrand scholarship, I was in disbelief. It is what I would imagine winning the Lottery feels like. The Bertrand scholarship is the largest non-institutional scholarship I have every received. I was both thankful to them for their generosity and proud of myself for performing well enough to stand out among other applicants.

What does receiving the Bertrand scholarship mean to you? What difference did it make in your life?
Financial support on this scale is always a major relief. One of the biggest problems many college students face today is coping with the high cost of attending a university and the limited amount of financial aid available. This scholarship reduced the amount of debt I will have to take on to finish school, gave me financial stability, and gave me peace of mind. Without the Bertrand scholarship, I would not have been able to budget for taking a summer class and applying to medical school this year.

How has the donor’s generosity impacted your view on your educations and goals for the future?
Seeing the generosity of donors like the Bertrands motivates me to get out there and give my all to my loved ones and my career so that I can have the same kind of positive impact on someone’s life that they have had on mine. I want be able to pass on that feeling of stability that was given to me and empower some young man or woman to chase their dreams.

How will the Bertrand scholarship help you make a difference in society?
The whole reason I decided to start down the path of being a doctor is because I see medicine as a way to fully utilize my intelligence to make a large-scale, positive impact on my community and the world in which I live. However, in order to become a doctor I need to have the financial resources to obtain the necessary education. By providing me with much needed financial help, the Bertrands are paving the path to medical school for me and helping me to maintain momentum towards my goal of becoming a physician.

Why should donors consider establishing a scholarship fund for students?
I think donors should consider using their funds to establish scholarships because a scholarship has an extreme impact on the recipient. It isn’t just throwing money at the student’s tuition bill. It helps them sleep at night, keeps a roof over their head, puts food on their table, and gives them the confidence and the means to put foundations under their “castles in the sky.”

Has receiving this scholarship inspired you to give back to SIU in the future?
Absaluki! As a young man from a poor family in rural Southern Illinois, I know that there are few resources to help local children down the path to a fulfilling and stabilizing career. I would like to someday establish a scholarship for disadvantaged students from the southern counties of Illinois. I would also like to be a mentor to the recipient(s) if possible.

Do you have a message that you would like to share with Mr. and Mrs. Bertrand?
I sincerely thank you for your kindness, I hope my “thank you” letter finds you well, and I hope to see you at the SIU scholarship lunch this semester so that I can get to know more about you!

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