Nick and Amanda Martin’s Saluki story began at Southern Illinois University, where they found opportunity, belonging, lifelong friendships and each other. Now, they are giving back to help future students build their own SIU stories.
Both SIU alumni, Nick in 2006 and Amanda in 2007 and 2008, the Martins credit the College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences, student organizations and the campus community with shaping their lives, careers and relationship. Nick also serves on the SIU Foundation Board of Directors.
Through the Martin First-Generation Agriculture Student Scholarship Endowment Fund and a gift to the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences Dean’s Fund, Nick and Amanda are helping future Salukis find the same support, belonging and opportunity they experienced at SIU.
In recognition of the Martins’ generosity, the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences will name an office suite the Nicholas and Amanda Martin Student Services Center. The Martins also commissioned a sculpture installed outside the Agriculture Building in honor of Salukis who found a spouse or partner at SIU.
“Amanda and I owe so much of our life and successes to the time we spent at SIU, in the college and as active members of Sigma Alpha and Alpha Gamma Rho,” Nick said. “We are honored to be able to give back to SIU and help others begin their journey as fellow lifelong Salukis.”
For Amanda, their philanthropy also reflects the opportunities she received as the first in her family to attend college.
“As a first-generation college student, SIU changed the trajectory of my life. It gave me an education, a sense of belonging and the confidence to lead,” Amanda said. “Nick and I give back because we want future Salukis to know that someone believes in their potential and is willing to invest in the possibilities ahead of them.”
Celebrating philanthropy
The SIU Foundation is celebrating the Martins’ generosity as part of its inaugural Week of Philanthropy, Sept. 21-25, a five-day celebration highlighting the impact of giving across SIU.
The week features a different celebration of philanthropy each day:
- Monday, Sept. 21: The week begins by equipping SIU Day of Giving advocates with resources to promote the campaign and thanking them for their efforts.
- Tuesday, Sept. 22: A Student Scholarship Festival exclusively for SIU Foundation scholarship recipients celebrates students and the opportunities made possible through donor-funded scholarships.
- Wednesday, Sept. 23: The 11th SIU Day of Giving invites Salukis in all 50 states and around the world to “Paint the Map Maroon” during a 24-hour online giving experience. Donors can support the colleges, schools, programs, scholarships and initiatives they are most passionate about.
- Thursday, Sept. 24: The SIU Foundation recognizes faculty and staff members who support the university through payroll deduction.
- Friday, Sept. 25: The week concludes with a campuswide celebration at the Tedrick Welcome Center recognizing the impact of philanthropy across SIU.
Through scholarships, faculty support, facilities, research, student experiences and academic programs, donor generosity continues to expand opportunities throughout SIU. Learn more about the impact of philanthropy at siuf.org.