Monthly Archives: February 2018

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

SIU Day of Giving recognized by City of Carbondale

Leave a comment

SIU Day of Giving | City of Carbondale Proclamation

CARBONDALE, Ill — The City of Carbondale has declared March 7, 2018, as the SIU Day of Giving, commemorating the university’s founding on that day 149 years ago.

At the council’s meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27, Mayor Mike Henry read a proclamation detailing the rationale for a commemorative day to mark SIU Day of Giving.

Day of Giving commemorates 149th anniversary of SIU’s founding

SIU Foundation’s Vice Chancellor Jim Salmo thanked the council for the honor and expressed appreciation to the city of Carbondale and its residents for the loyal support they have given the university for over a century.

“All of us at SIU are deeply honored by this proclamation, as we are honored by the history of cooperation and commitment between the city and the university,” Salmo said after the meeting. “That cooperation has been a hallmark of our achievements for the last 149 years together.”

Henry presented Salmo with the proclamation recognizing March 7, 2018, as the commemorative day. Each of the council members was given an SIU Day of Giving T-shirt.

Give the gift of experience online and on campus

The anniversary is being celebrated online at siuday.siu.edu and at several booths on campus.

On Wednesday, March 7, at 2 p.m., Chancellor Carlo Montemagno will give remarks at the Morris Library. All community members, alumni, staff, and students are invited to attend.

Everyone is encouraged to give back to SIU by visiting siuday.siu.edu and choosing their favorite area on campus to support.

SIU Day of Giving: The Gift of Experience – March 7, 2018

Below is the proclamation by the City of Carbondale:

Whereas, Southern Illinois University Carbondale has recognized March 7, 2018, as “SIU Day of Giving – The Gift of Experience”; and

Whereas, on this day, members of the SIU community will join together for an extraordinary day of giving back – inspiring Salukis everywhere to come together to show their pride by supporting students and helping to shape the University; and

Whereas, every gift made will have an impact on students, the University and our community, providing essential funding for scholarships, expanded learning opportunities, and strengthening engagement to the community; and

Whereas, SIU Day of Giving is the largest one-day philanthropy event for all who are committed to Southern Illinois University – a day when alumni, friends, staff, faculty and community members will come together to give the “Gift of Experience.”

Now, therefore, I, John M. Henry, Mayor of the City of Carbondale, Illinois, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, March 7, 2018 as

SIU Day of Giving: The Gift of Experience

In the City of Carbondale, Illinois, and urge all citizens to recognize that together, in just one day, we can create opportunities for current students and future Salukis to find a home – find success.

Ordered this Twenty-Seventh day of February, 2018.

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

SIU Day of Giving 2018: Give the Gift of Experience – Anna Radecki

Leave a comment

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

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.

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

SIU Day of Giving 2018: Give the Gift of Experience – Jordan Knuth

Leave a comment

SIU Day of Giving 2018: Give the Gift of Experience – Jordan Knuth

Jordan Knuth is a graduate student from Normal, Illinois, studying geology.

Why did you choose SIU?
I chose SIU because it offered a chance to do great research in a smaller departmental setting.

What would you tell a prospective student about SIU?
I would tell a prospective student, especially a prospective graduate student, that even though SIU is smaller than other institutions offering graduate programs it still offers the same opportunities. You can participate in cutting edge research, receive scholarships, and network within your chosen field but within a smaller university setting. You won’t be just a number here at SIU.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
I was inspired to study biogeochemistry and astrobiology after growing up reading science fiction. The search for life on other planets sounded much like the adventures I had spent my whole life reading about. Granted, scientific research is much different but I have been very intrigued by its questions.

What is your most memorable experience at SIU?
I had the opportunity to accompany my adviser, Dr. Potter-McIntyre, to do field work in southeastern Utah. Not only was it amazing to see another part of the country but to have the opportunity to do amazing research and to be taught how to do so by an actual astrobiologist.

How has SIU inspired you?
SIU has inspired me to look beyond just the bounds of my department and to understand that science is interdisciplinary.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU?
The students at Southern Illinois University have a dedication about them that you will not find anywhere else, especially those in the sciences. Donating to scientific research at SIU gives these determined students an outlet to do amazing things.

What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU?
I tell my friends that SIU has given me the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a scientific researcher but to do so in a smaller community of professors and fellow students who have created such an encouraging environment.

If you had $1,000 to donate to SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit?
I would like to see the money benefit undergraduate student research. Not many people think about how important their research is. It’s not just graduate students producing the groundbreaking research.

 

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.

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

SIU Day of Giving 2018: Give the Gift of Experience – Mitchell A. Niccolai

Leave a comment

SIU Student Mitchell Niccolai, SIU Day of Giving 2018: Give the Gift of Experience

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.

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

SIU Day of Giving 2018: Give the Gift of Experience – Caleb Gomes

Leave a comment

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

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.

Donor Stories, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

Salukis Supporting Salukis – Harold Bardo

Leave a comment

harold bardo

I first came to SIU on a basketball scholarship in 1957. Like so many others, had it not been for that financial assistance, I would have never become a Saluki.

While earning two degrees, I received support and encouragement from faculty and staff members. My commitment to give back is personal. My life has been immeasurably changed by SIU, and I could never repay the university for what it has given me.

I’m encouraging everyone to help make a difference during the SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 7. This 24-hour, online giving campaign seeks to raise funds and awareness of on-campus needs, largely focusing on student scholarships.

When I came here, people helped me, and it made a major difference in my life. The Day of Giving is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of current and future Salukis.

You can make a gift of any size by visiting siuday.siu.edu. You can do so now or bookmark the page and wait until March 7.

Donations can be made in a number of ways, including payroll deductions. Click here to download the payroll deduction form.

I also encourage everyone to help spread the word about the Day of Giving. Follow the SIU Foundation on Facebook and Twitter and use the hashtag #SIUDay on your social media accounts.

This year, there will be added competition among the colleges. A traveling trophy will be awarded to the college that raises the most money and the college that receives the most individual gifts.

On March 7, there will be Day of Giving booths in the Student Center and Morris Library. Chancellor Carlo Montemagno will speak at 2 p.m. in Morris Library.

Being a Saluki means being part of a great tradition. On March 7, I’m asking all members of the SIU family to help ensure the Day of Giving becomes a part of that tradition. Together, we can build a strong future.

Sincerely,
Harold R. Bardo Ph.D.
Associate Professor Emeritus

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

Technology upgrades, film festival support sorely needed

Leave a comment

Big Muddy Film Festival

By Jeff Wilson

Like so many others, Jennida Chase and Hassan Pitts are passionate about their corner of SIU’s campus.

Chase is an assistant professor in the Department of Cinema and Photography. Pitts is the technology coordinator for the College of Mass Communications and Media Arts and executive director of the Big Muddy Film Festival. Each of them hope to improve their areas through equipment upgrades and much-needed funding.

Whether it’s updating equipment for filmmakers, journalists, photographers or others in the college, the importance of keeping up with technology, including virtual reality and augmented reality equipment, can’t be understated.

“Adding these things would allow students to find new horizons of storytelling,” Chase said. “Working in these capacities would make them more competitive. We’d love to open these doors for students.”

Affordability and hands-on experience are two major components to attracting top students to the college.

“We’d like to offer a more holistic approach to media,” Pitts said. “All of these items would allow for the students to pursue a competitive cinema and media education.”

Big Muddy Film Festival

The annual Big Muddy Film Festival is celebrating its 40th year in 2018. The widely recognized event is a labor of love, the planning of which never stops.

“It’s a student-led experience,” Pitts said. “Not only is it an application of what they’ve been doing in class, they take on curatorial duties and are largely involved with scheduling and marketing.”

In fact, students spend a decent chunk of time visiting gathering donations from local businesses, including the sponsorship of the meals and refreshments that are served during the festival.

“The film festival promotes togetherness and uniqueness. It prompts discussion and interaction. It promotes change and the exchange of ideas,” Pitts said. “It’s the physical manifestation of the student body.”

Even something as engrained in the history of SIU as the film festival isn’t immune to changing landscapes and difficult times.

“The world of cinema is literally expanding,” Pitts said. “The film festival cuts across many different structures in Southern Illinois, helping keep it connected to ideas from around the world.”

Support is essential

As it is in many areas of campus, the need for support is great. Funds raised through the Forever SIU campaign and the upcoming SIU Day of Giving on March 7, can be directed toward the Department of Cinema and Photography and earmarked for the film festival.

“We can’t stagnate,” Chase said. “In this field, we must keep moving forward.”

To learn more about the Big Muddy Film Festival, visit bigmuddyfilm.com/. For more information about the Forever SIU campaign, visit foreversiu.org/ and to support the SIU Day of Giving, go to siuday.siu.edu.

Donor Stories, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Philanthropic Women, SIU

Mundschenks challenge others to give

Leave a comment

Nancy Mundschenk, director of teacher education

If there is one thing Nancy Mundschenk, director of teacher education, is passionate about, it is the Office of Teacher Education and the important work of teacher preparation at SIU. She and her husband, Paul, are setting up a $5,000 SIU Day of Giving challenge for a newly established Teachers Shape the Future fund that will directly support teacher candidates.

Mundschenk says she wants everyone to know that the Office of Teacher Education in the College of Education and Human Services works with faculty and staff across the university to prepare outstanding teacher candidates that graduate every year from SIU.

“I think some people don’t realize that we have teachers who come from the College of Agriculture, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Science, in addition to the College of Education and Human Services. All of these exceptional graduates will go out into the world and teach the next generation of students in classrooms from early childhood through high school,” she said.

Nancy Mundschenk, director of teacher education

“We are a living example of dynamic synergy across many programs. I firmly believe the Office of Teacher Education is one of the shining gems in the crown of this university and we want to provide a tangible commitment to this program.”

The Mundschenks encourage everyone to share in their pride of our teacher candidates. To give to Teachers Shape the Future fund, visit siuday.siu.edu and give a gift today or on March 7.

Uncategorized

Veterans benefit from Touch of Nature program

Leave a comment

SIU Touch of Nature veteran adventure

By Jeff Wilson

Shane Brady graduated from SIU in May 2017, taking with him a bachelor’s and master’s in outdoor recreation resource management. He left behind much more.

Brady, a U.S. Army veteran who served a 14-month tour in Iraq and a 12-month tour in Afghanistan, came to SIU in 2013. In the spring of 2015, he started working as a graduate assistant at Touch of Nature Environmental Center.

While there, Brady spearheaded the creation of the Veteran Adventures program. Offering outdoor activities to post-9/11 veterans, the program has become a huge success.

“Veteran Adventures was born out of the idea that there needed to be a program that brought veterans together in hopes of easing the transition from military life to civilian life,” he said. “Getting out of the military can be a very challenging life event. For veterans who are going to college for the first time it means trading your support group for a group of strangers and an experience that is completely new.”

The program includes a number of activities, most of which take place near SIU. There are pheasant and deer hunts, hikes, backpacking trips and recently a whitewater rafting excursion in Tennessee.

“These are deeply discounted or cost-free programs,” J.D. Tanner, director of Touch of Nature, said. “They can help relieve a little bit of the stress these veterans can face.”

Early on, most of the funding for the program came from community-level fundraising. This included profit-sharing promotions at local businesses. In September, Touch of Nature received a $30,000 grant to fund the hiring of a graduate assistant to run the program.

Most of the trips include 10 to 12 veterans, but Tanner said he hopes to expand the program to larger groups, more trips and a wider array of activities.

Tanner and Brady are both hopeful that the importance of both Touch of Nature and the Veteran Adventures program won’t go unnoticed during the Forever SIU campaign and upcoming Day of Giving on March 7.

“Since its inception, Touch of Nature has been an important part of SIU and to the Southern Illinois region as a whole,” Brady said. “It has done, and continues to do, amazing things for SIU and the community.”

The next Veteran Adventures event is a backpacking trip along Southern Illinois’ River to River Trail. It begins March 10 and is free of charge. To register or learn more, visit http://ton.siu.edu/program-areas/veteran-adventures/trips/.

For more information about the Forever SIU campaign, visit www.foreversiu.org. To make a gift benefiting the SIU Day of Giving, visit siuday.siu.edu.

 

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

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

SIU Day of Giving 2018: Give the Gift of Experience – Matthew Cagle

Leave a comment

SIU Student Matthew Cagle, SIU Day of Giving 2018: Give the Gift of Experience

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.