Rock Steady Boxing received a $15,538 donation from Com-Pac, International.
By Jeff Wilson
The mission of Rock Steady Boxing is to help people with Parkinson’s disease improve their quality of life. This unique program recently received support from Com-Pac, International in the form of a $15,538 gift.
Misty Wright (second from left) leads a Rock Steady Boxing class.
The funds will help expand the program, which is hosted in SIU’s Student Recreation Center from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every week, Monday through Thursday. Rock Steady Boxing was established in 2006 in Indianapolis and has expanded to more than 825 locations worldwide. SIU’s classes are instructed by Misty Wright and Barbara Tyler.
“We are blessed to be one of those 825-plus locations,” said Wright, who has been working with the program from more than 6 ½ years at SIU. “We started with one fighter, and now we have about 25 regulars. It’s being prescribed by doctors and has spread greatly through word of mouth.”
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination. The exact cause is still unknown, and there is no cure.
Rock Steady Boxing is a fitness class for people with Parkinson’s disease hosted in the SIU Student Recreation Center.
“These classes help Parkinson’s patients with fitness, mobility, and flexibility. It improves their cardiovascular function and hand-eye coordination.” Wright said. “It also provides them with a sense of community. Many of them say they couldn’t live without it. One of our main goals is to give them a better, happier life.”
The donation will allow Wright and Tyler to help cover the small registration fee for participants, help expand the offerings within the gym, and host special events to promote the program more broadly.
“This level of support is incredible. It’s really a blessing,” Wright said. “I want to thank Com-Pac for this gift, and I want to thank SIU for allowing us to help these people.”
Growing up in the small Randolph County town of Walsh, SIU was the only reasonable college option for Ron Smith.
“It was where you could get the most bang for your buck,” he said. “SIU was so good to me and changed my life and made it better than it would have been.”
Since graduating in 1964 with a degree in marketing and a master’s in business administration in 1966, Smith has stayed engaged with his alma mater, including donating more than $250,000 over the last 20 years. Now, he’s taken his support a step further, making a leadership gift of $500,000 to establish fund that will help students cover the cost of textbooks.
Endowed chairs help attract and retain high-level faculty members by making the position more attractive and keeping salaries competitive with other institutions.
“I’m doing this to help the students of SIU,” Smith said. “I want to make the university stronger and provide better opportunities and better training for the students.”
Smith has long been a donor to Southern, especially the College of Business and Analytics and Saluki Athletics. Despite living in California, he has maintained season tickets to Saluki Football games and supported the Blackout Cancer fundraiser. He also recently made a $10,000 gift to Saluki Softball.
Smith has fond memories of his time at SIU, noting that he attended the university during the Delyte Morris era and the time of College of Business Dean Henry J. Rhen, for which the COBA building is named. Smith was also classmates with another of SIU’s most prolific benefactors, F. Lynn McPheeters.
“Dr. Morris was wonderful to listen to, and I was lucky to be there during his era,” Smith said. “The university had lots of programs that were geared toward students with limited financial resources. I was fortunate enough to make good enough grades that my professors thought I was a good candidate for graduate school.”
After graduation, he joined the Peace Corps and spent 30 months in Colombia. He worked with farmers and fishermen, teaching them how to make the most of their assets. He credits his education from SIU with giving him the expertise to share with those people and give them a vested interest in the business side of their industry.
Smith, a first-generation student whose niece now attends SIU as a fourth-generation student, said his continued support of the university shows the impact alumni can have even when they’re not able to get to campus as often as they may like.
“Is there a way you can help build up the university?” Smith said. “Even if you’re in California, like me, you can help folks in Southern Illinois.”
For more information about supporting the university, visit siuf.org.
As part of Women’s History Month, the SIU Foundation is proud to spotlight alumna Jennifer Franklin, a dedicated advocate for education and a champion for transfer students. From her beginnings in East St. Louis to her current home in Chicago, Franklin’s journey reflects the transformative power of higher education and the impact of giving back.
She transferred to Southern Illinois University Carbondale after two years at a community college, seamlessly transitioning to university life.
“Everyone was so welcoming, and I knew that SIU was the right place for me,” Franklin said.
At SIU, she initially pursued a degree in information systems technologies, envisioning a future in database management. However, a single class altered the course of her career.
“The African American Experience in a Pluralistic Society class changed my life,” she said. By the end of the semester, she added a minor in Black American Studies (now Africana Studies) and set her sights on law school.
“I literally would not be a lawyer had I not taken that class,” she said.
Her passion for advocacy and justice was ignited at SIU, setting the foundation for a successful legal career.
A Global Perspective
One of Franklin’s most cherished memories at SIU was her study abroad experience in Ghana during the summer of 2004. Having just completed her bachelor’s degree, she took the opportunity to finalize her minor before beginning law school that fall.
A particularly memorable moment occurred while she was in Accra, Ghana, watching Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention on television.
“I knew at the time that he would definitely be the next senator for Illinois, but I had no idea that I was watching the future first Black President of the United States while I was on the African continent. Even after all these years, it is still surreal when I think about it.”
Giving Back to SIU
For Franklin, giving back to SIU is more than a gesture—it’s a responsibility.
“SIU gave so much to me as a student. I am still benefiting from lessons I learned as a young woman on that campus,” she said. “Being an SIU alum is part of my identity, so giving back feels like a natural part of my existence.”
Her commitment to supporting students led her to establish the Franklin Perseverance Fund, which provides scholarships to transfer students in financial need, with a special focus on African American women.
Franklin believes strongly in the power of women investing in SIU’s future.
“The doors that we walk through today were opened by the women before us, and it is our duty to keep them open for future generations,” she said. “The biggest door is access to education. The impact of women being able to attain a college degree cannot be understated.”
She encourages women who have benefited from higher education to pay it forward, ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities to succeed.
Reflecting on her college years, Franklin shares one piece of advice she would give to her younger self: Do not let your fears hold you back. Feel your fears, but do not live in them. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is acting in spite of it.
With a career shaped by resilience, purpose, and generosity, Franklin exemplifies the spirit of SIU alumni making a difference. Her story serves as an inspiration to current and future Salukis, proving that lifting others while you climb is the true mark of success.
Chancellor Austin Lane introduces coach Scott Nagy and the Saluki Men’s Basketball team Wednesday, March 5, at the Budweiser 703 Club inside Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
By Jeff Wilson
ST. LOUIS – Hundreds of SIU’s alumni and friends came together during another incredible Saluki Takeover Tour St. Louis during the week of the Arch Madness MVC Tournament.
Chancellor Austin Lane and many other representatives from campus visited six high schools and one college. The SIU Foundation hosted two corporate and networking events, 12 donor visits, and the Chancellor’s Reception on Wednesday, March 5, at the Budweiser 703 Club inside Busch Stadium.
“We have been all over the place promoting what it means to be a Saluki and recruiting students to come here,” Lane said to the record-breaking crowd of 275.
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management (from left), McKinley High School Assistant Principal Frederick Polkinghorne, a class of 2009 SIU graduate, and Chancellor Austin Lane met during the Saluki Takeover Tour St. Louis.McCleur High School met with SIU Admissions officials during the Saluki Takeover Tour St. Louis.
Lane highlighted the university Research 1 designation and its continued commitment to affordability and student success, including:
Out-of-State Tuition Eliminated – All U.S. undergraduates now pay in-state tuition.
Saluki Step Ahead – A seamless transfer pathway for community college students.
Saluki Legacy Discount – Tuition savings for children and grandchildren of alumni.
Saluki Commitment – Covers tuition and fees for eligible in-state students.
Scholarships – Multiple options to help fund education.
McKinley Classic Leadership High School students met with campus leaders.
Southern is one of only three public Illinois universities to be recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 institution.
“Our alumni should be walking tall. There are only 187 Research 1 institutions out of 4,000-plus universities. That is a big deal,” Lane said.
For the SIU Foundation, the takeover tours are an opportunity to connect with donors as it progresses through the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. With a goal of raising $500 million by June 2028, it is the fifth largest such campaign in the history of Illinois higher education. More than $390 million has already been raised, and the Saluki Takeover Tour helps spread the excitement.
The Saluki Men’s Basketball team and coaching staff stopped by the Chancellor’s Reception to thank the fans for their support during the MVC Tournament and throughout the season.
“When we started to put this thing together, hardly anybody – from the staff to the players – knew each other. We built this thing from the ground up, and this is just the start,” said Saluki Men’s Basketball Coach Scott Nagy. “We have such a great fanbase. Thank you all for coming out.”
Other events
The SIU Foundation Women’s Leadership Council hosted “Connect & Inspire,” an event celebrating Saluki women.
Dozens of women gathered on Tuesday, March 4, for the event, which kicked off the takeover tour by celebrating Women’s History Month.
The SIU Foundation Women’s Leadership Council hosted “Connect & Inspire” on Tuesday, March 4.
Hosted by SIU Foundation Board President Diane Compardo ’91 and Dr. Dawn Korte ’91, a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Council, the event at the Saint Louis Club featured Dr. Korte, who has had an impressive career in human resources, sharing powerful negotiation strategies for women in the workforce. Sherrica Hunt, assistant vice chancellor for development & alumni relations, anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion, highlighted the growing impact of the Women’s Leadership Council.
On the morning of Wednesday March 5, SIU leaders and St. Louis-area corporations came together at the Greater St. Louis Inc. Andrew C. Taylor Center for Civic Collaboration to explore opportunities at the Saluki Corporate Engagement Takeover event.
The SIU Foundation hosted a corporate networking event on Wednesday, March 5.
With 22,000+ SIU alumni in the St. Louis area, this event highlighted the many ways corporations can connect with SIU to recruit top talent and invest in innovation.
This collaboration strengthens SIU’s role in workforce development, research, and economic growth, ensuring a strong future for both our students and corporate partners.
The SIU Alumni Association hosted pregame events at PBR St. Louis inside Ballpark Village before each basketball game, and the Young Alumni Group hosted an all-ages event at McGurk’s Irish Pub on the evening of Friday, March 7.
On the court, the Salukis won their first-round matchup against Indiana State in thrilling fashion with a last-second 86-85 victory. The Dawgs ultimately ended their season with a 70-53 loss to No. 1-ranked Drake in the quarterfinals of the MVC Tournament.
For Dr. Dawn Korte, Southern Illinois University Carbondale was more than a steppingstone—it was the foundation for a career defined by leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to others. A proud graduate of SIU’s College of Health and Human Sciences with a major in paralegal studies, Korte has dedicated her career to fostering professional growth, advocating for women in leadership, and giving back to the institution that shaped her journey.
Raised in Carterville, Illinois, she initially enrolled at SIU to study piano performance, securing a scholarship that made her college education possible. However, a deep-rooted interest in the law led her to switch majors to paralegal studies—a decision that ultimately shaped her mindset.
“I had been interested in the law, so I changed my major and focused on law school after graduation,” she said. “That switch taught me to always keep an open mind, work hard, and accept ambiguity as a part of life.”
Korte credits her parents as her earliest role models, instilling in her the values of perseverance and dedication. At SIU, professors such as Dr. Steven Barwick and Dr. Albert Melone, along with lecturers Kenneth Hughes and Pamela Lacey, played instrumental roles in her academic development. One defining moment took place even before she was officially a Saluki—her scholarship audition in Shryock Auditorium.
“I was terrified, played way too fast, and made some mistakes,” she said. “When I finished, I thought I had blown my audition. But Professor Barwick stood up and said, ‘Welcome to SIUC—we will figure out the rest!’ That moment solidified SIU as my home.”
Leadership, Challenges, and Breaking Barriers
Throughout her career, Korte has been a strong advocate for people-focused leadership, emphasizing that the most valuable asset of any organization is its people.
“If people gave me their time and trusted me to lead them, I was going to create a place in which they could thrive,” she said. “I built relationships rooted in honesty and mutual respect, creating a strong foundation to weather professional storms.”
As a woman in the workplace, Korte faced challenges in establishing herself in executive leadership roles. She navigated these obstacles with a combination of preparation, networking, and relentless effort.
“I remained crystal clear on my goals, asked for honest feedback, and used it as fuel to improve,” she said. “I worked relentlessly to produce meaningful results that benefited both the organization and myself.”
Among her proudest achievements, Korte became the first in her family to earn a Ph.D. after completing her MBA, demonstrating her commitment to lifelong learning and excellence.
The Power of Mentorship and Giving Back
Korte is passionate about mentoring young women and supporting SIU programs that foster female leadership. As a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Council, she recognizes the power of mentorship in shaping future generations.
“Women need to support other women because we understand the demands of life and work,” she said. “Every woman has a story that can inspire another if she shares it. The Women’s Leadership Council provides a space for those stories to thrive and motivate others.”
She believes philanthropy at SIU—through scholarships and mentorship—has a measurable impact.
“We track metrics to see our impact, but the true success is in the continuation of mentor-mentee relationships long after graduation,” she said. “The heartfelt thank-yous, the stories of students helping each other through challenges—these are the untold metrics that prove what we’re doing is working.”
As SIU continues to nurture future leaders, Korte hopes the work of the Women’s Leadership Council and other initiatives will instill confidence in young women.
“I hope we give them a light that shines in their soul through dark moments,” she said. “That light is the confidence that they can, and will, prevail.”
Women’s History Month holds special significance for Korte, serving as a time to honor those who paved the way. She draws inspiration from her mother, a dedicated nurse and community leader whose legacy of service continues to guide her.
“She made an indelible mark on the lives of her patients and those around her,” Korte said. “I work to have her spirit, values, and wisdom live on through me.”
Reflecting on her career, Korte hopes to leave a legacy of commitment rather than mere contributions.
“My dad always used to say that the difference between making a commitment and a contribution is like bacon and eggs—the chicken makes the contribution, but the pig makes a commitment,” she said. “That’s what I’ve tried to do in my personal and professional life—make a commitment to something bigger than myself.”
For Korte, giving back to SIU is a way to invest in the future and ensure that young Salukis—especially women—have the support and resources they need to succeed.
“SIUC helped chart a course for my life, and I will be forever grateful,” she said.
To learn more about the Women’s Leadership Council and how you can get involved, visit siuf.org/wlc.
The Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois returns for a second trip through the state’s southernmost 17 counties.
After an incredible inaugural year in 2024, excitement is building for this year’s events. Chancellor Austin Lane and other campus leaders will meet with students and educational partners throughout the region, and there will be six Chancellor’s Receptions:
Thursday, April 3 – Apple Creek Country Club, 503 Stone Creek Drive, Makanda – REGISTER HERE
Tuesday, April 8 – TJ’s Diamond Club, Mtn Dew Park, 1000 Miners Drive, Marion – REGISTER HERE
Thursday, April 10 – Café Bloom, 1104 Public Square, Benton – REGISTER HERE
Tuesday, April 15 – St. Nicholas Landmark Brewery, 111 Ferry Street, Chester – REGISTER HERE
Thursday, April 17 – Pizza Villa, 169 E. Vienna Street, Anna – REGISTER HERE
Tuesday, April 22 – Faye, 1616 Walnut Street, Murphysboro – REGISTER HERE
There is no cost to attend any of these events. Each reception runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets per registered attendee. These events are hosted by the SIU Foundation.
“Southern Illinois is a very large area, and we have been all over,” Lane said during last year’s takeover tour. “It has been amazing to see all the students and administrators from Chester to Mount Vernon, from Pope County to Cairo.”
Chancellor Austin Lane speaks Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort.
While visiting more than 20 high schools and community colleges during the Saluki Takeover Tour Southern Illinois last year, Lane and admissions staff promoted programs such as the Saluki Commitment, which guarantees that tuition and mandatory fees are fully covered for four (transfer students) or eight (freshman students) consecutive semesters at no cost to students or families.
Recipients must meet all of the following criteria:
Be a first-time incoming freshman enrolling full-time on-campus in the fall 2021 semester or later.
Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Have an annual family income less than $103,040 with assets less than $50,000 based on your FAFSA.
Be an Illinois resident who attended an Illinois high school.
Be a dependent student under age 24.
Be eligible for federal financial aid.
SIU recently joined the ranks of the Ivy League, being named a Research 1 (R1) university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Southern is one of only three public universities in Illinois with that designation, and it is the only one within 100 miles of Carbondale.
“There is no reason in the world for a student from any county in Southern Illinois to attend any other university than the one in their backyard,” Lane said. “You’re not going to find another school that’s close to you that’s an R1 higher research institution.”
The Saluki Takeover Tour has also visited Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield, Hollywood, Tampa, Miami, Naples, West Palm Beach, St. Petersburg, The Villages, Houston, Dallas, Memphis, and Nashville. Last year’s events in Southern Illinois took place in Mount Vernon, Harrisburg, Carterville, Metropolis, Alto Pass, and Du Quoin. The objective is clear: Take the SIU campus on the road and engage with prospective students, fellow educators, alumni, and donors. Each stop on the takeover tour is packed with visits to schools, campus, and events that connect SIU’s leaders with corporate leaders and friends of the university.
“We bring the campus, and we plant the flag in the ground, and we say, ‘This is Saluki Country!’” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation.
For the SIU Foundation, the takeover tours are an opportunity to connect with donors as it progresses through the record-breaking Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. With a goal of raising $500 million by June 2028, it is the fifth largest such campaign in the history of Illinois higher education. More than $390 million has already been raised, and the Saluki Takeover Tour helps spread the excitement.
Suggested attire for these events is business casual, but Saluki gear is always appropriate, too. For more information, visit siuf.org/southern-illinois.
Event is Saturday, April 26, in the Student Center Ballrooms
By Jeff Wilson
CARBONDALE – The Saluki Ball, a major fundraiser for current SIU students, is coming to Carbondale this year. After two incredible years in Chicago, the SIU Foundation is excited to bring this year’s event home.
The third annual Saluki Ball, hosted by Chancellor Austin Lane and Mrs. Loren Lane, will be Saturday, April 26, at the SIU Student Center Ballrooms.
Hosted by Chancellor Austin Lane and Mrs. Loren Lane, the third annual Saluki Ball will be Saturday, April 26, at the SIU Student Center Ballrooms.
This black-tie optional event raises funds that bridge the financial gap for students who need assistance staying enrolled at SIU. When a student needs help with their bursar bill, these funds help keep them in school and on track for graduation. This support is invaluable in Southern’s mission to increase enrollment, enhance retention efforts, and support its students from start to finish.
Each of the past two years, hundreds of Salukis and SIU supporters have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through the ball.
“Our focus is on our students, especially those who need your help the most,” said Chancellor Lane. “We must ensure the students that we bring to Carbondale or who enroll in online courses are able to stay enrolled and finish with their degree.”
Students who have received funds that help them stay in school have shared the impact it has made on them.
“People who didn’t even know me believe in me and took the time to invest in my future,” said SIU student Francesca Stewart. “It prevented me from having to go back home.”
The funds that bridge the gap between semesters are core to the university’s mission of accessibility. Keeping students enrolled is integral to continuing the momentum at SIU.
“Receiving bridge-the-gap funds was major for me because I was on that line of whether I was going to finish my semester,” said student George Douglas IV. “That call saying I was getting alumni support, it changed everything. It changed my future.”
Southern has long prided itself on being accessible to students of diverse backgrounds, providing opportunities to those who may not otherwise be able to achieve their educational dreams.
“I came to SIU because it was one of the only schools able to help me through the Exploratory Student Program. Once I got here, I wanted to stay because of the people I met,” said Jashaun Murray, who studied social work at SIU. “You’re helping someone. You’re changing a life. You changed my life.”
The event
The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. There will be a live musical performance from multi-platinum recording artists Exposé at 8:30 p.m., and the evening will wrap up with a DJ and dancing at 9:30 p.m.
Multi-platinum recording artists Exposé will be the featured performer during the Saluki Ball on Saturday, April 26, at the SIU Student Center Ballroom.
The Saluki Ball features numerous sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $50,000 to $5,000. Each sponsorship includes varying levels of benefits and recognition before and during the event. Tables of 8 are $1,600, and individual tickets are $200.
“We both love the university. It gave us both opportunities we would have never had otherwise,” Dr. Glenn Poshard said. “The purpose of the ball – supporting low-income students – is consistent with what we believe in.”
Ed Smith, president and CEO of ULLICO, passed away in 2024. He voiced his support of the Saluki Ball before the 2023 event.
“SIU is the crown jewel of Southern Illinois. It’s the economic engine of this region, and we are committed to SIU,” Smith said at the time.
“This event celebrates SIU’s reputation for providing a first-class education and will raise money for scholarships,” said McPheeters. “It pains me that so many people are coming out of school with mounds of debt. In recognition of this situation, the SIU Foundation has significantly increased its efforts to provide scholarship assistance, as so many other universities have done.”
Each year, the Saluki Ball honors alumni, friends of the university, and students who have gone above and beyond.
In total, there have been five Saluki Lifetime Achievement Awards handed out. In 2023, the recipients were Drs. Phil and Pam Pfeffer. In 2024, the recipients were Greg Cook, Scott Moller, and Tonnette “Toni” Williams.
The student award winners have been Luis Barrera, BriYanna Robinson, Emily Bakri, and Dylan Chambers.
Luis Barrera received the Saluki Success Award in 2023.BriYanna Robinson received the Saluki Success Award in 2023.Dylan Chambers receIved the Saluki Success Award in 2024.Emily Bakri received the Saluki Success Award in 2024.
As part of Women’s History Month, the SIU Foundation is proud to spotlight alumna Jennifer Franklin, a dedicated advocate for education and a champion for transfer students. From her beginnings in East St. Louis to her current home in Chicago, Franklin’s journey reflects the transformative power of higher education and the impact of giving back.
