Angel Galeana is a junior from Caseyville, Illinois, studying computer science and business administration.

Why did you choose SIU?
I decided to attend SIU because of the great computer science program, great atmosphere, and the university was closest to home.

What inspired you to choose your area of study?
Growing up I was always interested in technology. I enjoyed fixing and programming computers. People like Bill Gates inspired me to be a software engineer.

What are your hobbies, interests, and/or activity groups that you are currently involved in?
Here at SIU I’m involved with The National Honor Society RSO, Minorities in Computer Science RSO, Association for Computing Machinery RSO, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers RSO and Latino Culture Association RSO.

What was your reaction when you learned that you received the Bertrand scholarship?
I was very happy and thankful for this scholarship.

What does receiving the Bertrand scholarship mean to you? What difference did it make in your life?
This scholarship means so much to me because it’s a representation of how much I have accomplished in my life despite all the challenges I had to over come throughout my life. This scholarship has allowed me to focus more on my studies.

How has the donor’s generosity impacted your view on your education and goals for the future?
The donor’s generosity has motivated me to continue my education and get closer to achieving my goals.

How will the Bertrand scholarship help you make a difference in society?
The Bertrand scholarship will help me motivate others to pursue their goals because anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Do you have a message that you would like to share with Mr. and Mrs. Bertrand?
I want to thank you for your generosity and I hope to be able to help other students in the future.

Why should donors consider establishing a scholarship fund for students?
Donors should consider establishing a scholarship fund for students because it will allow students to achieve their career goals and have the opportunity to give back as well.

Has receiving this scholarship inspired you to give back to SIU in the future?
Yes, I look forward to giving back to SIU to help future students.

How would you like to support SIU students in the future?
I would like to donate for a scholarship fund.

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Logan Jerolds is planning to take his local work ethic global.

The freshman from Jonesboro is studying foreign language and international trade. He said SIU’s international student population was an important factor in his decision to come to Carbondale.

“I’ve wanted to be involved with international students and their culture,” Jerolds said. “That’s always been my passion.”

Coming to SIU wasn’t a given for Jerolds. As is the case for many students, there were financial hurdles to overcome. He applied for loans and filled out applications for numerous scholarships.

“I wanted to come to SIU, so I started saving right off the bat,” he said. “I was just even praying about it.”

Then came the news he had received the Martha Lence Wynn Scholarship, which is worth $8,000 a year. This scholarship is specifically for graduates of Anna Jonesboro High School. The funds ensured Jerolds was able to begin his Saluki journey.

“It brought an extreme amount of joy to me, because when you know you’re not going to have debt for the rest of your life that just brings this weight off,” he said. “I have the utmost gratitude to the donors.”

Jerolds said he encourages other students to get involved with activities at SIU.

“You can jump in and become part of the university really fast,” he said.

While his time at SIU is still in its early stages, Jerolds’ ultimate goal is to travel abroad and see as much of the rest of the world as he can.

“I really do have a desire to travel the world,” he said. “I’ve been spending a lot of time and a lot of hard work for most of my life saving for that.”

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Carmen Burkett is a senior from Carterville, Illinois, studying zoology.

Why did you choose SIU?
SIU is a beautiful campus, offering unique experiences, and the degree program I desired.

What are your hobbies, interests, and/or activity groups that you are currently involved in?
I enjoy the beautiful, natural surroundings and outdoor activities close to SIU. It has been a great experience to meet International students through the conversation partner program and other activities.

What was your reaction when you learned that you received the Bertrand scholarship?
I felt extreme gratitude.

What does receiving the Bertrand scholarship mean to you? What difference did it make in your life?
I am so thankful–not only have I been given the opportunity to learn and grow academically, I have had so many wonderful experiences since starting at SIU. I have met people from all over the world, witnessed exciting research, and been part of something great.

How has the donor’s generosity impacted your view on your educations and goals for the future?
I hope to one day be able to tangibly help others achieve their educational goals,thereby building society as a whole.

How will the Bertrand scholarship help you make a difference in society?
I hope I, too, can be a source of inspiration and practical assistance to others who are working toward their goals.

Do you have a message that you would like to share with Mr. and Mrs. Bertrand?
I am so very grateful. Thank you.

Why should donors consider establishing a scholarship fund for students?
This is truly an investment in the future of society.

How would you like to support SIU students in the future?
I would like to be part of nourishing the learning environment for others.

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/

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