By Britni Bateman
CARBONDALE, Ill. — William and Shirley Saegesser have created a legacy of opportunity at Southern Illinois University Carbondale through a $100,000 endowed scholarship and a $500,000 planned gift that will support future generations of Salukis pursuing degrees in the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics.
The couple, who live in Jeffersonville, Indiana, say the gift reflects their gratitude for the role SIU played in shaping their lives and their desire to give others the same chance to succeed.
For William, known as Bill, that opportunity came after serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. With help from the GI Bill, he enrolled at SIU and earned his bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology in 1973. He credits the university’s hands-on approach and supportive professors for giving him the skills and confidence to build a successful career in Civil Engineering and Land Surveying.
“SIU wrapped its arms around me when I arrived,” he said. “It gave me not just an education, but a sense of belonging and purpose. Shirley and I want students to feel that same support, especially those who may not have family members who went to college before them.”
The William and Shirley Saegesser Engineering Excellence Scholarship will prioritize first-generation students pursuing degrees in engineering fields. The couple hopes the fund will ease financial burdens and serve as a reminder that others believe in their potential.
“This scholarship is meant to be a tangible pat on the back,” Bill said. “Sometimes a student just needs that extra encouragement to keep going.”
A partnership built on hard work and shared purpose
Bill and Shirley’s story began in high school, where they met. After Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy, the couple married and began their life together. They were first stationed in Meridian, Mississippi, where they purchased a mobile home and later moved it to Albany, Georgia, when Bill was assigned to sea duty.
After his discharge from the Navy, they brought the same mobile home to Carbondale in the fall of 1970 so Bill could attend SIU. Shirley found work in the business office at The Southern Illinoisan newspaper to help support the household while Bill attended classes full-time. When Bill graduated, they sold the mobile home — a symbol of how far they had come and the foundation they had built together.
From the classroom to the company boardroom
After graduation, Bill began working for engineering firms, where he applied the practical skills he learned at SIU. Bill, Shirley and their son Casey later established Saegesser Engineering, a Civil Engineering and Land Surveying company that served communities throughout Indiana for more than two decades.
“We built a business from the ground up, and it all started with what I learned at SIU,” he said. “My professors didn’t just teach us equations; they taught us how to think critically, how to communicate, and how to manage real-world projects. That’s what prepared me to lead a company and serve clients with confidence.”
Saegesser Engineering focused on municipal and private development projects, offering design, surveying, and construction management services. Over the years, Bill enjoyed mentoring young engineers and surveyors, encouraging them to continue their education and pursue professional licensure.
“That’s part of why this scholarship means so much,” he said. “I’ve seen firsthand what happens when someone invests in a young person’s potential. It changes everything.”
Giving back, looking forward
In addition to the endowed scholarship, the Saegessers have committed $500,000 through a planned gift to expand the fund in the future. They also intend to make annual contributions through qualified charitable distributions from their retirement accounts.
“We’ve been blessed,” Shirley said. “It feels right to do something lasting, something that helps students like we once were.”
The couple remains connected to SIU through alumni activities and Saluki athletics. During the scholarship dinner on Nov. 7, they met their first scholarship recipient, Ricardo Salgado, a junior at SIU studying civil engineering.
“This is about opening doors and building momentum for students from Southern Illinois and beyond,” Bill said. “SIU changed our lives. Now it’s our turn to help SIU change someone else’s.”
SIU: Research, opportunity, and impact
SIU holds a rare distinction as one of only 21 universities nationwide — out of nearly 4,000 — recognized by the Carnegie Classification for both Research 1 status, the highest level of research activity, and as an Opportunity College and University, which honors institutions that expand access and foster social mobility. This dual recognition reflects SIU’s commitment to advancing knowledge while opening doors for students from all backgrounds.
The Saegessers’ gift to the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology and Mathematics embodies that mission, empowering first-generation students to pursue hands-on learning and careers that drive innovation, sustainability, and economic development.
This contribution also supports Imagine SIU 2030, the university’s comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the campaign has raised more than $433 million toward its $500 million goal, making it the fifth-largest fundraising effort in Illinois higher education. 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.
Gifts like the Saegessers’ ensure that SIU continues to grow as a place where research, opportunity, and access come together to change lives for generations to come.
To support the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics, visit siuf.org/engineering.
To learn more about planned giving, visit siufgiving.org.