Students Gain Real-World Experience through the Saluki Student Investment Fund

By Ava Steffens 

The Saluki Student Investment Fund (SSIF) at SIU Carbondale offers hands-on experience in investment research and management. The student-led organization is modeled after real-world investment management firms, enhancing students’ academic and professional experience. The program provides access to the necessary resources while fostering relationship building among peers, alumni, and industry professionals. 

The SSIF began as a small student-run portfolio in 2000, starting at $25,000. 25 years later, students have grown the program and now handle $4.3 million in assets. They primarily focus on making investment decisions for their main client, the SIU Foundation. Members also manage funds for the College of Business and Analytics portfolio. 

Noe Estrada headshot
Noe Estrada

“There are few college funds that reach the size of ours,” said Noe Estrada, a junior and the team leader of the SSIF’s consumer discretionary and staples sector. “It’s a lot of work, and it’s a testament to the resilient nature of this team.”  

Estrada explained the RSO’s strategy for calculating and analyzing the amount of funds generated from trading stocks. The process begins with looking at a company’s competitive advantage, and what drives its overall growth. From there, the fund calculates and analyzes sectors driving the company’s performance, using that data to determine strategic outcomes. 

Through the SSIF, Estrada had access to a $30,000 Bloomberg Terminal yearly subscription. He was also able to use the knowledge he gained from the organization to build his own three-statement financial model. 

“The Saluki Student Investment Fund changed my life. I’m going to enter a competitive job market with a significant skillset. What is being done in here sets the foundation to our future success.”  

Jimmy Lin headshot
Jimmy Lin

Jimmy Lin, a sophomore finance major who serves as an analyst for the healthcare sector, emphasizes the importance of the impact that the SSIF has on professional development.

“Since the SSIF is the primary asset manager of the SIU Foundation, trading stocks using real money may seem intimidating at first. But once you are trained, it becomes second nature,” he said. “Those capabilities and abilities that we learned during our time in the organization will carry over into the corporate world.”

Although he agrees that the idea of students managing millions of dollars may seem daunting, Lin assures that the money contributed to the fund is in “good hands.”

“It makes us think a lot harder about the decisions we make. We must remain diligent, meaning we spend money with caution. It helps us strategize through the process and take it seriously.”

Kate DeGrazia headshot
Kate DeGrazia

Kate DeGrazia, a senior and the team leader for the real estate sector, explained that the SSIF operates in a way that parallels the S&P 400 index. “Depending on how it’s divided up, the SSIF sectors are structured the same. We pick the strongest stocks so we can beat out the index,” she said.  

Community building and networking are also crucial aspects of the SSIF. “Meeting alumni is one of my favorite parts of the fund. It’s nice to see what my peers who are a couple years older than me accomplish,” said DeGrazia. “It’s like having big brothers and big sisters; knowing that alumni care and will extend their hard-earned money back to us has really shaped my experience.” 

The program is not only open to business majors, according to DeGrazia. “We’ve had premed, automotive, and engineering students too, and that uniqueness helps us out. There are so many different minds collaborating on each task, and we can all share our own perspectives.” 

Sarah Farris headshot
Sarah Farris

Sarah Farris, a senior who is the team leader for the health care sector, originally joined the RSO to learn more about investing in her own future. The fund also dives deeper into subject matter learned in her marketing classes.  

“While it was scary handling real-world money at first, it provided a good experience and helped us gain confidence. It’s an honor that they trust students to be able to manage that amount of money.” 

Farris says that leading the organization was a crucial part of her college experience. She said the knowledge gained through the fund is comparable to working a job for all 4 years. The SSIF has led to a variety of post-graduate opportunities for her and her classmates. 

“Knowing that we have money in our back pockets to use for different experiences helps ease our minds,” said Farris. 

Presley Ornelas headshot
Presley Ornelas

Presley Ornelas, a sophomore and an analyst for the real estate sector, first learned about SSIF when visiting his friends at SIU, who were involved with the organization. He attributed the SSIF to helping him grow a network of supportive peers and mentors. “Whether it’s visiting financial firms, competitions, or helping the community, it’s a great experience.” 

This year, Ornelas and 16 other SSIF students went to NYC to visit Dow Jones and Bloomberg. They received invaluable insight from established professionals while growing their network. Through experiences like this field trip, he learned more about professional and strategic development. 

“Thanks to the SSIF, I’ll already be prepared to take the CFA exam, and I’ll have my Bloomberg marketing certification,” says Ornelas.  

Beyond building connections with alumni and potential job recruiters, members shadow industry professionals in their day-to-day experiences. This offers a chance to learn from these mentors.  

“No matter how an alum decides to give back to the SSIF, knowing we have their support is priceless,” he said.  

Costs relating to operational expenses, student support, advisor stipends, and subscriptions are preserved primarily through external support. Those who wish to support the SSIF can get involved by meeting critical funding needs that maintain the organization’s impact. To learn more about how to make a difference in the lives of future investment leaders or to make a gift, visit give.siu.edu/ssif. 

For more information about the Saluki Student Investment Fund, visit business.siu.edu/rso/ssif. 

A Journey of Fate and Gratitude: Man Nguyen’s Saluki Story

In October 1971, Man Nguyen arrived in Carbondale from Vietnam with three high school friends, the support of his family, and a dream of one day returning to his homeland. Encouraged by the older brother of one of his friends who was already attending Southern Illinois University, Nguyen applied and was accepted—a decision that would mark the beginning of a life-changing chapter.

“I feel blessed by fate to have ended up in Carbondale,” Nguyen said. “I had never heard of Southern Illinois University or seen what Carbondale looked like back in Vietnam.”

Upon arrival, Nguyen and his friend Long Nguyen (no relation) were welcomed into the home of Mr. Earl Caspers, a lecturer in SIU’s School of Education who was pursuing a doctoral degree. “Mr. Caspers acted like a father figure,” Nguyen recalled. “He made us breakfast and dinner, took us to and from campus—what a wonderful human being. I still think of him as a saint. I’ve often asked myself, would I have done the same?”

All Vietnamese students at the time were required to complete the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) program before beginning SIU coursework. Eventually, Nguyen and Long moved into their own apartment but remained close with Caspers. “After he finished his Ph.D. in 1973, he moved to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville but returned for our graduation in 1975. What a touching moment. He was a true friend to all the Vietnamese students.”

Nguyen’s academic path was further supported by Jared Dorn, SIU’s international student advisor at the time, who awarded him a tuition waiver. This enabled Nguyen to remain at the university and complete his undergraduate studies. To cover room and board, he worked part-time as a janitor at the Student Center, earning $1.60 per hour. Nguyen and other Vietnamese students lived off campus at 319 1/2 E. College, paying $96 per quarter in rent during the university’s quarter system years.

“We enjoyed college life, studied hard, and had fun too,” he said. “We hung out at Jim’s Pizza, Dairy Queen, and the Varsity Theater downtown.”

After graduating in 1975 with a degree in mathematics, Nguyen embarked on a career in information technology. He first joined Lockheed Electronics in Houston, a NASA contractor supporting the space shuttle program. He later worked for Marathon Oil as an IT consultant, where he had an unexpected encounter with SIU alumna and retired NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham. She autographed a photo of herself featured on the cover of the March 2007 SIU Alumni Magazine, which he still keeps.

Nguyen eventually retired after a distinguished career with Lockheed, Marathon Oil, and SAIC, a global technology company. His work allowed him to travel internationally to countries such as Ireland, Tunisia, Egypt, India, and Indonesia. Throughout his life, Nguyen has returned to SIU Carbondale many times to reflect, reconnect, and enjoy the campus—especially in the fall.

This year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his graduation, Nguyen established the Man and Lien Nguyen Mathematics & Computer Science Scholarship Fund with a $25,000 gift. The fund will provide two annual scholarships: one for a student majoring in mathematics or computer science, and another for a student majoring in mechanical engineering. The latter is in memory of his friend Long Nguyen, who graduated alongside him in 1975 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

“Retention is so important,” Nguyen said. “I want students to finish their SIU degrees. I’m thankful for that tuition waiver that kept me at SIU, and I want my scholarship to do the same for someone else.”

Nguyen returned to SIU this May to celebrate his 50th reunion—an emotional experience that also gave him the opportunity to reconnect with Mr. Dorn, who still resides in Carbondale.

“We spent countless hours sharing SIU stories, then and now,” Nguyen said. “I feel so thankful—grateful—for Mr. Caspers’ generosity and Mr. Dorn’s kindness more than half a century ago that allowed me to stay and earn an SIU degree.”

Would he relive his college days at SIU if given the chance?

“Absolutely,” Nguyen said. “I’m proud of my alma mater, proud to be a Saluki, and most importantly, proud to be an American.”

Man Nguyen (center) joins Jen Badiu, director of development, and Chancellor Austin Lane at the Chancellor’s Reception during the Saluki Takeover Tour in Houston.

Brewer invests in art education at SIU

Dr. Tom Brewer
Dr. Tom Brewer poses with some of his pieces.

Accomplished artist, educator endows scholarship

By Ava Steffens

Thomas Brewer, Ph.D., an accomplished artist and educator, is a strong advocate for visual art education in public schools and universities.

To honor that passion, he established the Dr. Thomas M. Brewer Art Education Scholarship. The scholarship supports students pursuing teaching careers in the visual arts, reflecting his purpose of making the field accessible to young, creative minds.

“For a student to receive a few thousand dollars to use to attend a nearby conference during their undergraduate years is major. Who knows where the opportunity will lead them from there,” said Brewer, a 1973 graduate of Southern Illinois University’s College of Arts and Media.

Brewer attended Southern between 1969 and 1973, graduating with a bachelor’s in art education and ceramics. He and other students had an art studio near former SIU architecture professor Buckminster Fuller’s Dome-style home in Carbondale.

After graduation, he worked as a full-time artist and obtained a master’s in art from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in art education from Florida State University. Now a professor emeritus of art education at the University of Central Florida, Brewer taught for 35 years and served as the coordinator of art education at UCF for 20 of those years. He currently works and lives in Urbana, and his artwork continues to be featured worldwide.

Brewer established the scholarship in his name, allowing art and design students to kick-start their careers just as SIU helped him. The aim is to provide recipients with the necessary resources to foster an experience beyond the classroom while inspiring real-world professional development.

“Because of how it helped me, I could at least contribute back to SIU for a few students, especially for whom a scholarship might be helpful,” he said.

Throughout his educational journey, Brewer credits teachers for opening the doors to success, inspiring him to do the same for others.

“There’s an inherent accomplishment when art is taught in a way that is consecutive, sequential, and that has continuity,” he said. “Beyond exercising creativity, problem-solving, and motor skills, art, in any form, can be a driving force for academic growth. My teaching and advocacy for the visual arts in education is more far-reaching than my own artwork.”

Brewer hopes his continued commitment to SIU will motivate students, inspire others to donate, and strengthen the university’s dedication to art and ceramic education.

To learn more about making a gift, visit siuf.org.

Soaring High: Chris Sims’ Journey from Aspiring Pilot to Aviation Mentor

Chris Sims
Chris Sims visited SI Airport during the United Career Day in October 2024.

By Ava Steffens

Chris Sims, a 30-year United Airlines pilot and SIU School of Aviation alumnus, believes those who share a boundless passion for flying deserve to be uplifted just as he was.

In support of that belief, he recently established the John and Carol Sims Aviation Scholarship. The scholarship is named after his parents.

“A dream is only a dream until it becomes reality. It does not become a reality unless you have some help along the way,” he said.

Originally from Naperville, Illinois, he attended SIU from 1990 to 1994.

“Between the location, price, and convenience, the decision was a no-brainer,” he said.

Soon after graduating, he interned at United Airlines through a program offered by the School of Aviation, which provided a direct pathway to becoming a United Airlines pilot after college.

Sims’ passion for aviation began when he was 5 years old during his first plane ride. This moment ignited a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. Thrilled by the idea of flying, his love for aviation deeply influenced him throughout his entire life.

“You couldn’t even tell me what colors my walls were, my room was so full of airplane models,” he said.

He found the United Airlines internship at SIU while he was still a junior in high school.

“My father told me to look at this little school in Southern Illinois. I remember seeing the Saluki logo next to the United logo, and knowing it was meant to be,” Sims said.

Working weekends at SI Airport as a student and flight instructor, he did not even have time to attend a football game until after he graduated. Although he pushed himself as a Saluki, he credits SIU and its unique programs with helping him transition from a student to a professional full-time pilot.

“There was a lot of work, but there was also a lot of opportunity,” he said.

Sims felt inspired to give back while reflecting on his time as a student. Now in his 50s, he remains grateful for the support he received. Along with establishing a scholarship, he is now dedicated to serving as an Aviate Ambassador to SIUC, United Career Day Flight Facilitator, and Aviate Program Mentor at flight schools nationwide.

United Career Day
United Career Day

“I reached a point when I realized how fortunate I was and that now was the time to give back. So many people’s handprints lined the path for me to get here,” he said.

Sims named the scholarship after his parents, who were his inspiration to pursue an aviation career.

“My parents would take me to the airport just to watch the planes on the runway,” he said.

To apply for the scholarship, students must write about the day, moment, or event that made them realize they wanted to pursue a career in flight.

“If a student has passion, they should at least be provided with the opportunity to make that happen,” Sims said.

To make a gift, visit siuf.org.