By Jeff Wilson
Darius Robinson has made giving back a priority throughout his life, crediting his father for showing him the value of getting involved.
“My father, Johnnie Robinson, was a big giver in terms of leadership, discipline, and being a role model. He was my baseball coach in East St. Louis,” Robinson said. “There were a lot of kids on the team who did not have a father figure, so I learned to share my dad with the rest of the team. What is remarkable about my dad is that he did not get paid for that, and he gave many hours to bridge the gap for so many young people.”
Taking the lessons learned from his father, Robinson has stayed involved with Southern Illinois University and is now a member of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors.
“When I saw how Chancellor (Austin) Lane, his staff, and the SIU Foundation were bringing alumni together and breaking fundraising records, I realized that the Foundation board was the entity with which I wanted to align myself,” Robinson said.
Before joining the board, he established the Darius Robinson Scholarship, which provides financial support to students from his alma mater, East St. Louis High School.
“I have always wanted to help people have opportunities so that they can help themselves, better themselves and better their community,” he said. “You’re giving that student the opportunity to be the next Black inventor or to be the next leader. Many times, you need a role model that looks like you. Everybody brings something differently to the table.”
Robinson received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SIU’s College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics in industrial technology and manufacturing systems, respectively. He works as an operations manager for Menzies Aviation. His role is to manage the jet fuel and hydrant system that is used to fuel the aircrafts at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
“SIU prepared me well for my career. Most of my professors were industrial engineers and they did a great job of teaching me how to analyze a situation and how to troubleshoot and achieve my objectives,” he said.
To make a gift, visit siuf.org.