By Ava Steffens

Phillip Hartke, a senior from Sidney, Illinois, is a scholarship recipient majoring in industrial management and applied engineering at Southern Illinois University. His involvement in Undergraduate Student Government, Greek Life and service as a volunteer firefighter has allowed him to positively impact student life and shape his own future.

Saluki spirit runs deep in his family, he said, as Hartke is the 17th member to attend SIU. His parents met on campus, and his younger sister is now continuing the tradition as a first-year student.

Hartke said that his goal in attending SIU is to pay it forward and help other students find their place at the university. A large part of his college experience has been the sense of community SIU provides. Unlike many other universities, he said that Carbondale cultivates a unique student base that is tightly bound.

“I could have chosen any other school in the state,” he said. “But whenever I came to SIU, it was apparent to me that the teachers actually cared, and that I wasn’t just a number.”

He began his time at SIU as a civil engineering major but later switched to industrial management and applied engineering to better align with his career goals. Through this program, he secured an internship with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, supporting operations and program management efforts.

Hartke has also been extensively involved with Undergraduate Student Government, serving as president during his second year at SIU. He learned he had received his scholarship at the end of the following year’s election cycle, an experience that he refers to as the “wind in his sails.”

“Even if things didn’t work out, which they ultimately didn’t, I still had a lot to be grateful for,” he said. “This was the first time I’ve received an extra scholarship while I’ve been at SIU, so it was a very welcome surprise.”

Hartke received the Friends of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Scholarship, which is funded through the institute’s donor pool. This past fall, he attended the annual scholarship dinner, where he recalled a meaningful interaction with his scholarship donor, Matt Baughman.

“He’s gotten to know just about everything at the whole university,” Hartke said. “Anyone that’s ever come around, the history of it, and the goals of the university going forward.”

Oftentimes, students must find a balance between working in college and remaining engaged in academics and campus leadership. Although Hartke held a range of paid and unpaid roles during his time at SIU — including a nightclub bouncer, distributor, intern and volunteer firefighter — the scholarship allowed him to focus more on his studies and extracurricular involvement.

“I’ve worked throughout college, but receiving this scholarship gave me the margin to lead at a higher level,” he said. “It allowed me to invest more time into service, student government, and building organizations that will outlast my time here.”

In addition to his academics, Hartke and several peers reestablished the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity chapter at SIU in 2022. The organization provided him with valuable connections and leadership experience, motivating him to take on roles such as serving on the advisory board for Saluki Athletics. He described TKE as a community‑focused, philanthropic group of “like‑minded men” committed to doing good and preparing for future success.

During his time in TKE, he has helped conduct numerous fundraising events benefiting organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The chapter focuses on community service goals and mentoring younger fraternity members. Hartke said that he admires those who try to give their time or resources to their institution, as he hopes to do so through his own work.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding,” he said. “You can’t buy back the time, but you can help someone else take advantage of the time that they have in front of them.”

After he graduates in May, Hartke plans to attend law school and pursue a career involving engineering, business, and public service. When thinking about his future, he said he is optimistic, as he will have no debt.

“I feel like I’ve seen everything that SIU Carbondale has to offer,” he said. “And for that reason, I’m not scared of what comes next.”

The Friends of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Scholarship is funded through a pool of contributions from multiple donors. This initiative helps position SIU as one of only 21 universities nationwide — out of 4,000 — classified as both a Research 1 institution and an Opportunity University. This designation underscores the university’s commitment to discovery, access and expanding student opportunities.

For those inspired by Phillip Hartke’s story, supporting scholarships through the SIU Foundation is a meaningful way to invest in future Salukis. Your contribution opens pathways and help create life‑changing opportunities. To give, visit siuf.org/give.