A $500,000 gift from the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) and Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program (SICAP) will establish the first endowed professorship in the SIU College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics, creating a permanent source of support to strengthen faculty excellence, research and student success.
The SIBA and SICAP Endowed Professorship will support the School of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering. It is also the first endowed professorship in the college.
The $500,000 commitment was included in the 11th SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, Sept. 23, the anchor of the SIU Foundation’s inaugural Week of Philanthropy. The Foundation is highlighting the gift Friday, Sept. 25, as the five-day celebration of philanthropy concludes.
Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation, said the historic investment will enhance SIU’s ability to recruit and retain outstanding faculty.
“Sometimes we go out there and we ask people to dream with us,” Kupec said. “We had a dream, and you believed in us with this commitment. Now it’s up to us. We’re going to show you truly the impact of being able to recruit and retain incredible faculty.”
Endowed faculty positions provide permanent, donor-funded resources that enhance teaching and research while helping universities recruit and retain accomplished faculty. The SIBA and SICAP Endowed Professorship will provide ongoing support for faculty distinction and research within the School of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering.
Dr. Xiaoqing “Frank” Liu, Dean of the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics, said the endowed professorship will strengthen the college’s ability to compete for top faculty while preparing students to meet workforce needs.
“Endowed professor positions are critical for recruiting and retaining top faculty members at R1 research institutions,” Liu said. “This endowed professorship will strengthen teaching and research and enhance student success at our college. It will allow us to educate and train students in civil engineering to meet demands for talent in Southern Illinois and beyond.”
Liu also recognized SIBA and SICAP for its previous support of the college, including investments in laboratories and other resources that enhance education and research.
Building Southern Illinois’ workforce
The gift builds on the relationship among SIU, the Southern Illinois Builders Association and the Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program. Their partnership connects the university’s educational mission with the workforce needs of the construction industry throughout the region.
Donna Richter, chief executive officer of the Southern Illinois Builders Association, said the investment reflects the organizations’ commitment to preparing students for successful careers while strengthening the construction industry’s talent pipeline.
“Southern Illinois Builders Association and Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program are proud to support a program that consistently demonstrates excellence in preparing students for successful careers in construction,” Richter said. “This partnership reflects our commitment to strengthening the talent pipeline and ensuring the long-term success of the construction industry in Southern Illinois.”
Richter said the gift also represents an investment in the longstanding relationship between the organizations and SIU Carbondale.
“We value the strong relationship between Southern Illinois Builders Association, Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program and SIU Carbondale and are excited to continue building on that partnership through this investment,” she said. “Together, we can help address workforce challenges while creating meaningful opportunities for students entering the profession.”
Chancellor Austin A. Lane said the partnership aligns with SIU’s focus on providing opportunities for students in the region and preparing graduates who can build their careers close to home.
“We’re all about Southern Illinois,” Lane said. “We have folks right here in our own backyard that would love to come to a Research 1 Opportunity University. Being our engineering programs, there’s no reason for them to go anywhere north or south or east or west of this university.”
Lane said the investment will help SIU continue building on the university’s momentum while serving the region.
“We take great pride in partnering with what we’re doing today to keep even more of that momentum right here at home,” Lane said. “This is so important for us as we continue the momentum that the university is experiencing right now.”
Celebrating what philanthropy makes possible
The SIBA and SICAP $500,000 commitment was included in the 11th SIU Day of Giving, the anchor of the SIU Foundation’s first Week of Philanthropy, Sept. 21-25.
Throughout the 24-hour Day of Giving on Wednesday, Sept. 23, Salukis supported the colleges, schools, programs, scholarships and initiatives they are most passionate about. The SIBA and SICAP Endowed Professorship is one example of how philanthropic investments can create lasting opportunities for SIU students, faculty and programs.
The five-day Week of Philanthropy has celebrated generosity across SIU through Day of Giving advocate activities, a Student Scholarship Festival, the 11th SIU Day of Giving and recognition of faculty and staff donors.
The week concludes Friday with a campuswide celebration at the Tedrick Welcome Center. Students, faculty and staff can stop by from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. for refreshments, giveaways and activities. Chancellor Austin A. Lane is scheduled to join the celebration from 2 to 4 p.m.
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.