Monthly Archives: August 2025

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Anonymous Donor Makes $4.5 Million Gift to Support Women’s Scholarship, SIU Softball Stadium

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By Jeff Wilson, siusalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A $4.5 million gift from an anonymous donor will leave a lasting impact on generations of Salukis.

The donation, part of the donor’s estate plan, will benefit two key areas:

  • $4 million to support scholarships for female student-athletes
  • $500,000 to support improvements to the Saluki Softball stadium

“This gift uplifts our entire university by showing the incredible power of the Saluki spirit,” said Tim Leonard, Southern Illinois University’s director of athletics. “This historic donation provides inspiring support for women’s athletics at SIU and helps ensure our women’s programs continue to thrive.”

SIU has nearly 400 student-athletes across 15 men’s and women’s sports, each facing unique financial challenges that come with competing at the Division I level.

Scholarships allow coaches to recruit top talent and enable student-athletes to focus on training and academics.

“There are few things more valuable to an athletics department than financial support for our athletes,” Leonard said. “They must be locked in to compete and succeed in the classroom. Scholarships are an invaluable tool in our mission.”

In addition to scholarships, the gift will enhance one of SIU’s most successful programs — Saluki Softball — by funding major improvements to Charlotte West Stadium.

Under head coach Jen Sewell, the team has posted a 115–51 record over the past three seasons. Building on a legacy that includes 11 Missouri Valley Conference championships, 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, and 26 Academic All-Americans, the $500,000 gift sends a powerful message.

“This generous donation is more than just a facilities gift — it’s an investment in our female student-athletes, our program, and the future of college softball,” Sewell said. “It will help provide a first-class facility that reflects the hard work, dedication, and passion of our staff and players.”

“Four and a half million dollars is a powerful statement about the importance of women’s athletics. It’s not just an investment in facilities — it’s a vote of confidence in our female athletes, their potential, and the future of women’s sports. We are incredibly thankful for this support, which will open doors for generations to come, both in our facility and through scholarships.”

This gift comes as part of the Saluki Unleashed campaign, which aims to enhance revenue within Saluki Athletics by $100 million. Through this initiative, the athletics department plans to expand scholarship opportunities and enhance facilities, creating a premier experience for student-athletes, coaches, and fans. It is part of the university’s Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has raised more than $400 million toward its $500 million goal.

To make a gift, visit https://give.siu.edu/athletics. For information about estate gifts, contact Kat Martin at katm@foundation.siu.edu.

Donor Stories, Events & Engagement, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

SIU Dedicates Campus Lake Fountain in Memory of Alumnus Tilden “Tim” Parks

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Tilden “Tim” Parks Campus Lake Fountain
Southern Illinois University Carbondale dedicated the Tilden “Tim” Parks Campus Lake Fountain on Wednesday, Aug. 6, during a community celebration at Becker Pavilion.

By Britni Bateman

Southern Illinois University Carbondale dedicated the Tilden “Tim” Parks Campus Lake Fountain on Wednesday, Aug. 6, during a community celebration at Becker Pavilion. The 60-foot fountain honors the legacy of the late Parks, a proud 1976 graduate whose generosity helped bring the project to life.

A crowd of 50 gathered along the lake as Chancellor Austin A. Lane, SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec, student leader Noah Farris, Director of Facilities and Energy Management Mark Owens, and Director of Recreational Sports and Services Corné Prozesky delivered remarks.

SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane speaks to the crowd at the fountain dedication event.
SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane speaks to the crowd at the Campus Lake fountain dedication event.

“This is yet another great project,” Lane said. “The fountain is a beautiful addition to campus and another tradition that adds to what makes SIU such a special place.”

Chancellor Lane led the countdown as the crowd joined in. At zero, the fountain shot into the air for the first time, drawing cheers and capturing a shared moment of Saluki pride.

“This all is really due to the generosity of Tim Parks,” Kupec said. “He was a great Saluki who passed away in 2022. We honor his legacy tonight with this fountain that will continue to inspire future generations.”

Parks contributed more than $75,000 during the inaugural SIU Day of Giving in 2017, providing over 70 percent of the funding needed to launch the fountain project. The university named the fountain in his honor to recognize his transformational gift. Additional support from the AlZaben family helped complete the project.

“We also want to thank the AlZaben family for their gift to this effort that got us over the finish line,” Kupec said. “Campus Lake is one of our greatest assets. In our opinion, only one other university in the country, Notre Dame, has a lake as special as this.”

Several campus leaders and alumni attended, including SIU System President Dan Mahony, SIU Board of Trustees Chair Judge J. Phil Gilbert, and members of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors. Judge Gilbert shared that he learned to swim in Campus Lake as a child.

The fountain features a 25-horsepower motor and includes a floatovoltaic system, a floating solar array that helps power the fountain while reducing harmful algal blooms by cooling and aerating the water. The project received funding and support from the SIU Green Fund, the Sustainability Department, and student initiatives.

Noah Farris, a microbiology major, contributed to the sustainability work and addressed the crowd.

“I’m working on a solar panel project that helps power the fountain and reduce bacteria in the lake,” Farris said.

Mark Owens highlighted the practical benefits of the fountain and thanked the facilities team for their behind-the-scenes work.

“This is not just something beautiful, it’s functional,” Owens said. “Thanks to our team’s work, we’ve kept Campus Lake open for three years without issues. The fountain will help keep the water healthy.”

Corné Prozesky spoke about the emotional impact of the fountain and its presence on campus.

“Our students will look out their windows and see this beautiful fountain lit up at night,” he said. “Hopefully, every time the Salukis win, we’ll change the color to maroon and celebrate those victories with this incredible symbol of Saluki pride.”

The fountain dedication followed Demolition Day, an event earlier that afternoon that marked the beginning of clearing six long-vacant residence halls to make way for the proposed Saluki Village housing development. Together, both events showcased the university’s momentum and commitment to renewal.

These campus enhancements reflect the university’s ongoing momentum. SIU recently earned dual recognition as both a Research 1 institution and an Opportunity University, making it one of only 21 universities nationwide — and the only one serving a rural area — to receive both honors. These achievements align with the goals of Imagine SIU 2030, a comprehensive fundraising campaign that has raised more than $409 million toward its $500 million goal. The campaign is the fifth-largest in Illinois higher education history. In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17 percent of the student body.

To learn more or make a gift to support similar projects, visit siuf.org.

Events & Engagement, Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

SIU Kicks Off Demolition Day to Make Room for Proposed Student Housing

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An excavator crashed through the roof of Fulkerson Hall, drawing cheers as the building’s first wall gave way.
An excavator crashed through the roof of Fulkerson Hall, drawing cheers as the building’s first wall gave way.

By Britni Bateman

More than 250 Salukis and community members gathered Wednesday, Aug. 6, as Southern Illinois University Carbondale launched Demolition Day and took a bold step toward transforming its campus housing landscape.

SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane addresses the crowd.
SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane addresses the crowd during the demolition event on old Greek Row.

“This isn’t just about buildings coming down, it’s about honoring the past while building toward the future,” said Chancellor Austin A. Lane.

The SIU Foundation hosted the event to celebrate the start of Phase 1 demolition of six long-vacant residence halls along the former Greek Row. Guests enjoyed live music from River Radio’s Steve FM and complimentary food from local vendors, including Winston’s Bagels by B-Rad, Honeybeez Snowballz and Hot Dogs, and the American Ice Cream Truck.

SIU System President Dan Mahony, SIU Board of Trustees Chair Judge J. Phil Gilbert, members of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors, and university leaders joined students, faculty, staff, and community members at the event. Lane, SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec, and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeff Burgin delivered remarks.

SIU Foundation CEO addresses the crowd at the demolition event on old Greek Row.
SIU Foundation CEO addresses the crowd at the demolition event on old Greek Row.

“These buildings served generations of students, and while their time has passed, the memories created here remain powerful,” Kupec said. “We’re not just tearing down buildings, we’re building on the shoulders of those memories.”

Originally known as Small Group Housing when dedicated in 1959, the area became known as Greek Row in the 1980s. Many SIU fraternities and sororities called the halls home through the early 2000s. Due to safety regulations, including a 2004 Illinois law requiring fire sprinkler retrofits in dorms, the halls were officially closed in 2012.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeff Burgin
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeff Burgin

“We’re standing on hallowed ground,” Burgin said. “For many Salukis, joining a fraternity or sorority was a transformative part of their college experience. We honor those moments as we imagine what’s next.”

“Today’s demolition is part of a vision that started years ago through Imagine 2030, our strategic plan to reimagine the future of campus,” Lane said. “This is what progress looks like.”

As the ceremony concluded, the crowd counted down together. An excavator crashed through the roof of Fulkerson Hall, drawing cheers as the building’s first wall gave way.

Phase 1 includes the demolition of six buildings: Colyer, Kaplan, Thalman, Fulkerson, Kesnar, and Wakeland Halls, with work expected to be completed by mid-September. A second phase is tentatively scheduled to begin in December, pending approval from the SIU Board of Trustees.

The SIU Foundation is funding environmental studies, demolition, and early site preparation through a bridge loan. The foundation will temporarily relocate from Colyer Hall to University Hall before moving into the new Tedrick Welcome Center in spring 2026.

The demolition project reflects the university’s ongoing momentum to modernize and reimagine its campus footprint. SIU recently earned dual recognition as both a Research 1 institution and an Opportunity University, making it one of only 21 universities nationwide — and the only one serving a rural area — to receive both honors. These distinctions align with the goals of Imagine SIU 2030, a comprehensive fundraising campaign that has raised more than $409 million toward its $500 million goal. In the most recent fiscal year, the SIU Foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17 percent of the student body.

The event offered space for reflection and tribute, with several former residents in the audience. Alumni shared memories on social media and through the SIU Foundation’s website, recalling friendships, late-night walks to class, and the sense of belonging Greek Row once fostered. To share your Greek Row memories, visit siuf.org/greek-row.