Monthly Archives: October 2012

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

James Salmo named SIU vice chancellor

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Jim Salmo - Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations

Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Rita Cheng named James G. Salmo as vice chancellor for development and alumni relations.

In his new role, Salmo also will serve as CEO of the SIU Foundation.

Salmo is vice president for college advancement at Rhode Island College in Providence, R.I., which has an enrollment of 9,000 students. Salmo also serves as executive director of the Rhode Island College Foundation.

His appointment, effective Nov. 28, requires SIU Board of Trustees approval, followed by formal endorsement by the SIU Foundation Board.

“Jim will bring significant experience in fundraising, management and leadership to the position, along with a demonstrated ability to hire and develop staff,” Cheng said. “I am excited that he will be joining us.”

A St. Louis native, Salmo is familiar with SIU Carbondale and the region. His father is a Herrin native, and early in his career, Salmo spent three years as director of annual giving at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

“I also have family friends who graduated from SIU who have nothing but positive things to say,” he noted. “Knowing that is a plus; in this position, you have to know how alumni feel.”

Salmo also noted that SIU is “one of those great institutions” with strong research, teaching and athletics.

“The University offers a really strong balance,” he said.

Salmo has served in his current position at Rhode Island College since 2010. He is responsible for developing and implementing all fund-raising strategies for capital, annual and deferred giving, and provides overall guidance and director to the college’s alumni relations program.

From 2003 to 2010, Salmo served as associate vice chancellor for development-health sciences at the University of Missouri in Columbia. He was responsible for providing executive leadership and strategic direction for all health-care related fundraising programs at the university.

Among his previous positions, Salmo servied as vice president for advancement at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy (1997-2003); director of development for Whitfield School in St. Louis (1996-1997); and director of development for the University of Missouri School of Law (1991-1995).

Salmo earned a master’s degree in media/communication from Webster University in 1985 and a bachelor’s degree in theater from Saint Louis University in 1981.

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

Art-design students earn Windgate scholarships

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By Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The School of Art and Design at Southern Illinois University Carbondale announced the winners of this year’s Windgate Foundation Scholarships.

The Windgate Foundation Scholarships originate with the Windgate Charitable Foundation, located in Siloam Springs, Ark., which pledged $500,000 to the School of Art and Design if the school could match the money. Several fundraising efforts that were already in place, along with a specific direct mail campaign, helped the school match the challenge gift. The inaugural scholarships were awarded in 2010. The funds will also support faculty and student projects.

This year’s scholarship recipients for the Windgate Charitable Foundation Educational Opportunity Scholarship are:

• Nicholas Daunis, senior, Carbondale

• Hattie Phillips, senior, Norris City

• Roscoe Ward, senior, Champaign

• Daniel Widolff, senior, West Brooklyn

This scholarship goes to current art or design majors who have demonstrated a combination of talent, effort and financial need. Successful applicants include a statement of goals and an artist portfolio.

This year’s scholarship recipients for the Windgate Charitable Foundation Undergraduate Research Grant Scholarship are:

• Dylan Bettis, senior, Downs

• Shana Loconsole, senior, Plainfield

This scholarship is meant to offset research expenses, including materials, or the cost of study at a specialized institution other than SIU Carbondale. Eligible institutions include discipline-specific schools such as the Pilchuck Glass School, or other specialized art programs and research opportunities such as those offered at the Smithsonian Institution. Successful applicants include a resume or curriculum vitae and a statement about what they hope to achieve while visiting the other art school or research site.

Donor Stories, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

Grant to help women interested in government

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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.