Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the SIU Foundation will celebrate the grand opening of the Tedrick Welcome Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2026, at the university’s main entrance off U.S. Highway 51.
The event honors the generosity of alumni Roger and Sally Tedrick, whose $6 million leadership gift was instrumental in launching the project. The 44,000-square-foot facility is funded entirely through the SIU Foundation and required no taxpayer dollars, tuition revenue, student fees or state funds.
The Tedrick Welcome Center will serve as the home of the SIU Foundation and include a 14,000-square-foot welcome center designed as a central hub for campus engagement. The space will anchor campus tours, open houses, orientations, alumni and donor engagement, and special events, providing a welcoming introduction to SIU for prospective students, families and visitors.
“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 southern wing of the building houses the SIU Foundation, creating a centralized home for fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. The main visitor center will be capable of hosting conferences, lectures, seminars and catered events for up to 300 people. Interactive exhibits throughout the facility highlight SIU’s academic programs, research and campus resources.
“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.”
Guests attending the May 1 ribbon-cutting celebration will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar while commemorating this milestone for the university.
A public open house will follow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Community members are invited to tour the new facility, explore its interactive features and enjoy food trucks on site. All are welcome.
Located on the former site of McAndrew Stadium, the Tedrick Welcome Center represents SIU’s first major on-campus construction project in more than a decade and reflects the university’s continued investment in recruitment, engagement and student success.
For more information about the grand opening and public open house, visit siuf.org/events.