Monthly Archives: December 2025

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

Scholarship opens new doors for Sawrasewicz

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By Ava Steffens

Scholarship recipient Agnieszka Sawrasewicz discovered her passion for cybersecurity and computer systems at SIU, which prompted her to change her career direction. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in computer science.

After searching for scholarships, a peer recommended her for the Jim and Martha Greenwood Scholarship. Sawrasewicz opened the email announcing her scholarship award and felt an immense sense of relief knowing she no longer had to worry about the financial burden of her education. The scholarship allows her to fully focus on classes like Java–programming language and ethical hacking, which helped her further explore the digital forensics field.

“Before, I had to study and work over the weekend. Sometimes, I would have to do long hours of overtime,” she said. “The scholarship allows me to focus on my studies and believe in myself.”

This scholarship supports students in STEM fields who have a physical disability. Martha and Jim Greenwood met while students at SIU. They later married and faced new challenges when Jim’s illness required him to use a wheelchair. Their experience inspired them to create a fund supporting other students with physical difficulties.

“It’s shown me that it’s worthwhile to develop my ideas and projects,” she said. “It means so much to see that somebody values them.”

Five years ago, Sawrasewicz began her studies at SIU in the forestry program as a nontraditional student. She took courses such as tree identification and traveled with classmates to Utah and Colorado for credit. When she discovered that foresters benefit from technological skills, especially data tracking and analysis, she shifted her focus to computer science. This transition from her bachelor’s degree led her to pursue a master’s degree in cybersecurity.

“Everything connects,” she said. “Every field needs someone to manage an operating system and who understands computers, technology and security.”

From near Warsaw, Poland, she relocated to Chicago in 2002 and built a career as both a pharmacy technician and a massage therapist. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to pursue a new professional direction.

Sawrasewicz defines cybersecurity as the process of monitoring an organization’s digital weaknesses and creating solutions to defend sensitive data from cyberattacks and

hackers. Her interest in this field was sparked after her own experience of being hacked and having personal information stolen, which motivated her to help protect others from similar risks.

She is currently creating a 3D game based on virtual reality. This initiative is designed as an alternative educational platform for students, helping maintain engagement by introducing variety within the course material.

“I feel that applying and engaging students with technology will be very beneficial,” she said. “The program will make you feel like you’re right there.”

In the future, she intends to pursue a PhD and a teaching career, emphasizing her passion for improving how cybersecurity is taught to students.

Southern Illinois University is one of only 21 institutions nationwide, out of 4,000, to earn the prestigious Carnegie Classification for both R1 Research and Opportunity University status. The university is dedicated to fostering innovation and broadening access to higher education. Scholarships such as the one awarded to Sawrasewicz are essential to this mission, enabling students from diverse fields to overcome financial challenges and pursue their aspirations.

If you find Sawrasewicz’s journey motivating and you are committed to accessible, excellent education, consider supporting or creating a scholarship through the SIU Foundation. In the most recent fiscal year, the foundation awarded more than $5.6 million in scholarships to 2,111 students, representing 17 percent of SIU’s student body.

Your contribution can make a meaningful difference for future students, empowering them to pursue their passions. To donate online, visit siuf.org/give.

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

Connecting Campus and Community Through SIU’s Tedrick Welcome Center

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By Britni Bateman

Southern Illinois University is preparing to open a new front door to campus life. The Tedrick Welcome Center, now under construction at the university’s main entrance off U.S. Highway 51, is designed to strengthen recruitment, elevate first impressions, and serve as a central point of connection for students, alumni, donors, and the surrounding community.

Scheduled for completion in May 2026, the 44,000-square-foot facility will serve as the home of the SIU Foundation and include a 14,000-square-foot welcome center that functions as a central hub for campus engagement. Campus tours, open houses, orientations, alumni and donor engagement, and special events will be anchored in the new space, providing a welcoming and cohesive introduction to SIU.

“This building is going to blow students away and help us seal the deal,” SIU Chancellor Austin Lane said during the groundbreaking ceremony. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

The project marks SIU’s first major on-campus construction in more than a decade. Named for Roger and Sally Tedrick, whose $6 million leadership gift was instrumental in launching the project, construction of the Tedrick Welcome Center is funded entirely through the SIU Foundation. The building is supported through a combination of Foundation reserves, fundraising, and borrowing and will require no taxpayer dollars, tuition revenue, or student fee monies. No state funds are being used to construct the Tedrick Welcome Center.

Enhancing the Student Experience

For prospective students and their families, the Tedrick Welcome Center will be the gateway to SIU. Admissions tours will begin in the building, offering a warm and intentional welcome while showcasing the university’s academic strengths, student opportunities, and campus life through modern, interactive displays and guided experiences.

The east lobby will serve as the primary access point for large visiting groups, with interactive branding and Saluki imagery welcoming students as they begin their campus visit. Designed to help visitors better envision themselves at SIU, the space creates a centralized and consistent starting point for recruitment and orientation activities.

By improving how students experience campus from their first visit, the welcome center aims to strengthen recruitment outcomes and student confidence in their decision to attend SIU. Current students will also benefit from expanded opportunities for involvement, networking, and access to university resources within the space.

“The Tedrick Welcome Center will give students and families a clearer sense of what SIU offers from the very beginning,” Dan Korte, president of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors, said. “It creates a more intentional and welcoming experience that helps students see how they can thrive here, both inside and outside the classroom.”

A Home for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

The southern wing of the Tedrick Welcome Center will house the SIU Foundation, creating a centralized home for fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. The building is designed to serve as a welcoming space for donor engagement, alumni gatherings, and stewardship activities, supporting meaningful connections with those who invest in SIU’s mission.

The southern wing includes a 26,827-square-foot office area designed to support the Foundation’s growing staff and reflect the essential role philanthropy plays in advancing student success and strengthening the university’s future.

“Having a dedicated space for the SIU Foundation within the Tedrick Welcome Center strengthens how we engage alumni and donors on campus,” Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation, said. “It allows us to better share the impact of philanthropy, deepen relationships, and create more meaningful connections between our supporters and the students they help make successful.”

Currently, the SIU Foundation is temporarily housed in University Hall. The Foundation relocated there in August after the university informed the SIU Foundation that it must vacate Colyer Hall, a dilapidated building on the former Greek Row.

Connecting the Community

In addition to its role in recruitment and philanthropy, the Tedrick Welcome Center is designed to strengthen SIU’s connection to the region. The main visitor center, a 14,000-square-foot space filled with natural light, will be capable of hosting conferences, lectures, seminars, and catered events for up to 300 people.

Interactive exhibits throughout the building will highlight SIU’s academic programs, research, and campus resources, offering the public access to stories and spaces that are often unseen. Alumni and community members will also have opportunities to gather, reconnect, and share their Saluki experiences.

“The Tedrick Welcome Center creates a space where the community can better experience the breadth of what SIU contributes to the region,” Korte said. “It serves as a welcoming destination that reflects the university’s role as an educational, cultural, and economic anchor for Southern Illinois.”

A Vision Realized

Located on the former site of McAndrew Stadium, the Tedrick Welcome Center reflects SIU’s investment in its future while honoring the university’s past. The facility brings together recruitment, storytelling, philanthropy, and community engagement in one intentional space.

As construction continues, the Tedrick Welcome Center stands as a symbol of collaboration, generosity, and momentum, positioning Southern Illinois University to make a strong and lasting impression for generations to come.

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, SIU

SIU Foundation Adds Five to Its Board of Directors

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By Britni Bateman 

The SIU Foundation recently announced the addition of five members to its Board of Directors. 

Led by President Dan Korte, the SIU Foundation Board of Directors continues to advance the goals of Imagine SIU 2030. The campaign, which concludes in 2028, has raised more than $440 million toward its $500 million goal, fueling scholarships, facility improvements and new opportunities that strengthen SIU’s future. 

The following individuals joined the board on July 1, 2025: 

Jennifer (Yunker) Dore, who earned degrees from SIU in dental hygiene (1991) and advanced technical studies (1994), has demonstrated decades of commitment to community service and philanthropy. Her early career included work in Chicago-area dental practices before earning a master’s degree in public health from Indiana University. She later dedicated extensive time to volunteer leadership, serving on education boards, supporting nonprofits and contributing to cancer support organizations.  

Her philanthropic support for SIU began immediately after graduation. Over three decades, she and her husband, Marty, have continued to give annually and recently provided seed funding for SIU’s Community Care and Education Center (CCEC). Their support helped launch the initiative, which now serves individuals and families throughout Southern Illinois.  

Dore was nominated to the foundation board following her service on the Dean’s Advisory Committee for the College of Health and Human Sciences. She and her husband live in the Chicago area and have two children.  

“When I was asked to join the foundation, I felt truly honored,” Dore said. “I’m excited to support the incredible progress happening at SIU. The foundation is investing in the right things, and I’m proud to play a small role in helping the university and the community grow.” 

Helen Heimann, a 1984 graduate in advanced technical studies, is a retired financial services executive with more than three decades of leadership experience in risk management, compliance and regulatory implementation. She most recently served as a managing director at Wells Fargo, where she led enterprise-wide implementation of regulatory changes, playing a key role in navigating evolving financial industry standards and strengthening organizational compliance frameworks. 

Heimann also holds a Master of Science in information management from Washington University in St. Louis. Her career has been defined by a commitment to operational excellence, ethical leadership and developing scalable solutions in highly regulated environments. 

She is president of the Special Needs Foundation for Community Link, where she works closely with organizational leadership to ensure financial stability. Community Link is a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities through adult day services, employment opportunities, volunteer work and daily life skills development. 

Now retired, Heimann brings her strategic insight and governance experience to her role on the Southern Illinois University Foundation Board. She is passionate about supporting students and advancing the mission of higher education through thoughtful stewardship and alumni engagement. 

Heimann currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. 

“I think everyone can add value — whether it’s through their experience, their network or simply bringing more awareness to SIU,” Heimann said. “Carbondale has such a great history. The more we talk about it, the better.” 

Ron Smith, a 1964 marketing graduate and 1966 MBA recipient, has spent six decades as a champion for SIU. A native of Walsh, Illinois, Smith went on to serve as chief operating officer of Medical Group of North County, Inc., and manager of SDCC Properties Manager, LLC, overseeing the facilities of the San Diego Cancer Center — an integrative oncology program later incorporated into UC San Diego Health. He also serves on the board of the San Diego Cancer Research Institute. 

He remained deeply connected to his alma mater, contributing more than $250,000 over the last 20 years. Recently, he made a $500,000 leadership gift to establish a student textbook assistance fund. He also supports endowed chairs within the College of Business and Analytics. 

A longtime donor to Saluki Athletics, Smith has maintained season football tickets despite living in California and has supported initiatives including Blackout Cancer and Saluki Softball. His extended family includes multiple generations of Salukis. 

“Even if you’re in California, like me, you can help folks in Southern Illinois,” he said. 

Derrick Taylor, a 1985 SIU graduate in automotive technology and business management, came to SIU as a standout running back from Chicago and helped lead the Salukis to the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA national championship. After college, he briefly joined the Denver Broncos as a free agent before beginning his professional career with Oldsmobile. He eventually returned to Chicago, spending 14 years working for the City of Chicago and later serving as assistant commissioner at O’Hare International Airport. 

Today, Taylor is the owner/operator of six McDonald’s restaurants in Illinois, employing more than 300 people. He also serves as president of the Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Taylor is the father of three sons and a daughter. 

“I said yes to the Foundation Board when I felt I could give it my best. At this point in my life, I have the time, experience and passion to add value, help make things a little better than they were before and give back to the place that helped shape who I am,” Taylor said. 

Eugene Walker Jr. graduated from SIU in 1983 with degrees in construction management and building construction technology and has built a distinguished 40-year career in commercial building, heavy highway work and program management. He is the majority owner, president and CEO of EJ Smith Construction and Supply Companies; majority co-owner and CEO of Integrated Project Solutions, LLC; and owner, president and CEO of the EVENT Companies. He also serves as chair of the DeSoto Area Chamber of Commerce and has cultivated strong relationships across the construction industry, public sector and community organizations. 

Walker is committed to expanding opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses through strategic partnerships, mentorship and advocacy. His service on numerous boards, advocacy awards and recognition as an influential African American leader in Texas highlight his dedication to opening doors for others. 

He is a proud family man dedicated to his wife and partner Elsa of 18 years. Their son, Victor, is the family company’s lead structural senior estimator, and their daughter, Tatyana, is a Truman Scholar, Fulbright finalist, Luce Scholar and 2024 Rhodes Scholar. Walker is also a proud life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

“Whether it is mentoring to build bridges or giving back through philanthropy, I believe in making a difference and being the difference,” Walker said. 

Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Scholarship Recipient, SIU

From Classroom to Courtroom: Jodie Housley’s Journey Fueled by SIU Law Scholarship

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By Ava Steffens

First-year law student Jodie Housley is a scholarship recipient and nontraditional student whose 17-year career in public education led her to SIU.

Between the small class sizes, the active alumni network, and the connections and extra emphasis on professional development offered through the program, she knew SIU was the right fit.

“I really like how we were welcomed as first-year law students,” she said. “It made SIU feel like home before the semester even started.”

Housley received the Al H. and James Chesser scholarship, which is awarded to first-year SIU Simmons Law School students. She adds that receiving the scholarship was the catalyst that helped her move across the country to start her journey as a Saluki.

She worked in Washington public education for 17 years, teaching eighth-grade history and English. She also served as president of her teachers’ union, where she discovered her passion for justice by working with district administrators to resolve student-teacher disputes.

“I had a soft spot for it in my heart,” she said. “I began to look into law schools, and SIU just really seemed to fit what I wanted.”

She shares that within her first few days in Carbondale, she experienced heat exhaustion while on a hike with her dog. Although she considers herself an outdoorsy person, she was admittedly unprepared for the Southern Illinois heat, especially as someone who is “from the Pacific Northwest, where the hottest day is 75 degrees.”

“A few days later, I got a phone call from Layla Murphy, who is the director of Admissions with the law school, asking me if I was alright,” she said. “At that point, I had not even met anyone there yet. I just thought it was a special thing to do, and that it meant that Southern Illinois has a really caring community.”

Housley highlights that SIU’s tight-knit community, especially within the law school, was another feature of the university that stuck with her, along with the natural landscape of Southern Illinois.

“It is one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever been to. I love the way it is laid out, between the trees, walking path, and the benches along the lake.”

She adds that attending law school has been a dream of hers for a long time, and that the path involved plenty of “twists and turns.” As someone who considers herself to be a lifelong learner, she said receiving her scholarship felt like being in the right place at the right time.

When she first received the email notification about the scholarship, she was in disbelief.

“It took me a while to process it at first,” she said. “I immediately grabbed my dog and went for a walk on the beach right by my house. I took it as a sign that this was exactly what I was supposed to do, and where I was supposed to be.”

Jodie Housley headshot

Housley adds that the scholarship “fueled her fire” to pursue law at SIU and was a significant part of her decision to commit. With the scholarship, she did not have to borrow money, allowing her to cover moving and living expenses.

“Law school is hard, especially with financial stress on top of it,” she said. “I just have a higher level of comfort, safety, and relaxation that I would not have had without that scholarship.”

In the future, Housley hopes to return to SIU and share her experiences in the public sector through a speaker session or luncheon. Many law school graduates remain connected to SIU by returning to share their experiences with current students.

“I have never been motivated by money. Ever since I can remember, I have wanted people to be treated fairly and equitably. And that is what will help me continue my public service path, especially when I am not burdened with student loan debt.”

As one of only 21 universities nationwide, out of 4,000, recognized by the Carnegie Classification for both R1 Research and Opportunity University status, SIU is dedicated to advancing discovery and expanding access to higher education for students from all backgrounds.

When you give to programs like SIU Simmons Law School, you empower students from all backgrounds to pursue their passion, overcome barriers and become part of the next generation of leaders. Your support changes lives. Make a gift today to help shape a brighter future at siuf.org/give.