By Britni Bateman

CARBONDALE, Ill. — SIU Credit Union jumpstarted Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s 10th SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, Sept. 17, with a $35,000 gift to support student success and hands-on learning.

The credit union’s donation designated $20,000 for New Student Programs and $15,000 for the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. The 24-hour fundraising event, hosted by the SIU Foundation, raised more than $5.7 million overall and contributes to the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has surpassed $423 million toward its $500 million goal.

“For us, knowing that we’re helping the kids locally come here to get a good education, I think that’s big,” said Mike Lantrip, SIU Credit Union president and CEO and a 1991 graduate of SIU’s College of Business and Analytics. “We serve all of Southern Illinois, and the university attracts students from across the region.”

Chancellor Austin A. Lane praised the gift’s impact, saying it set the tone for the Day of Giving.

“Partnerships are everything,” Lane said. “This really kicks off the Day of Giving. I know our students support Touch of Nature, and everybody is so grateful for the funds and contribution. It really goes a long way.”

Jennifer Phillips, director of New Student Programs, said the funding will provide incoming freshmen with meaningful opportunities to connect with each other and the university.

“The impact that the credit union’s generous donation has had on our students and our ability to offer activities is absolutely more than we could ever thank them for,” she said.

Brian Croft, director of Touch of Nature, noted the community partnership.

“Our relationship with SIU Credit Union is such a special and amazing example of what community and campus look like,” he said. “This money particularly goes to Dawg Days, our summer camp experience for incoming freshmen. They are truly a partner, and they believe in what we do.”

The SIU Day of Giving, launched in 2017, has raised more than $23.6 million to support scholarships, research, and programs across SIU.