Graydon Baima is a junior from Collinsville, Illinois. He is specializing in Animal Science – Production.

Why did you choose SIU? I choose SIU because the faculty made me feel like I was more than just a number. When I came to visit campus as a junior and senior in high school, I spoke with Dr. Atkinson and Peter Dirks. They showed a genuine interest in what I wanted to study, and made sure I signed up for the right classes during orientation. Peter made sure I was able to get a tour of the university farms even though the weather was horrible that day. They made me feel like I was family.

What inspired you to choose your area of study? I fell in love with the idea of working with livestock when I was in the Boy Scouts. I was taking Horsemanship Merit Badge and I loved every second I was around the horses. When I learned about Animal Science as a major, I was ecstatic.  I quickly learned through our introductory classes that working with cattle and horses was my ideal career. I focused on beef production and equine sciences.

What achievement in your life are you most proud of? I am most proud of achieving my Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts. This rank took many years of dedication and hard work to achieve. I recognize that many of my skills such as public speaking, professionalism, and hard work all had their foundations built in the Boy Scouts. Since enrolling at SIU, I have been able to build upon these skills and use them in day-to-day life. I would not be where I am at today without the opportunities and experiences I had while earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU College of Agriculture Sciences?The world must eat. No matter what economy we are in or what state the world is in, everyone must eat, and someone has to produce that food. In the College of Agricultural Sciences, we are the next generation of farmers, researchers, and conservationists. We are going to be the ones, 10 years down the road, in charge of making sure that there is food, natural resources, and sustainability. Our programs are always looking to be on the cutting edge of technology. Any donation would help provide the students with the most up-to-date information, and the ability to research new ideas.

Do you have a message you would like shared with a potential donor? One of my favorite quotes is by a popular horse trainer Ray Hunt, he said, “ In difficulty, there is opportunity.” Right now, the university and state are in a difficult budget situation, but this creates a great opportunity for donors to really make a difference. Your donations help the college expand our programs and open new doors with new opportunities for students. When you are donating, you are not just giving to a college, you are fulfilling a student’s passion to do research, or you are allowing a student to do more hands-on activities during class. You are not donating to an institution… you are investing in the future of agriculture.

If you had $1,000 to donate to the College of Agricultural Sciences, what would you like to see that money benefit? I would like to see that money benefit the University Farms. The farms have been a major part of my education and have given me so many opportunities. I want the farms to continue to offer great programs for future generations of Salukis. Our farms are unique in that they are so close to campus and there are countless projects and opportunities for students to gain real world experience. I currently spend 4 to 5 days a week at the farm and I hope that never changes. The farms are always looking to improve upon what is already in place, and I know that the donation would be used to greatly benefit students.

You can support SIU College of Agricultural Sciences during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 1: https://siuday.siu.edu/giving-day/1003/department/1377

Robert Heusner is a graduate pre-medicine student from Thompsonville, Illinois. He is specializing in physiology.

Why did you choose SIU? SIU offered research that I wished to be a part of. Their cancer research is probably the best in the Midwest. The researchers are amazing at what they do and the training they offered me was beyond what I could have expected from another university.

What inspired you to choose your area of study? I was a part of an internship through SIH, and was in the middle of my OB rotation. I walked into this area with absolutely no expectation of what lied ahead of me. I was asked if I wished to observe a cesarean section and I jumped at the opportunity. From the moment I walked into the OR, I felt as if there was something bigger surrounding me. I watched the graceful movements of the obstetrician and the many other hands assisting her. It was within these twenty minutes that I realized that there was no other place on Earth I would rather be. I felt, like for once, I belonged.

What achievement in your life are you most proud of? I am a first-generation college student and the only person from my high school getting a professional degree.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU? Because students are the future of our society. This generation and the next will be the most educated generations to have ever lived. Their potential should be the reason someone should invest in their future.

Have you received any scholarships as a student? Yes.

What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals? It was everything to me. Though I wish it could have been more so I wouldn’t have to work 40 hours a week to support myself, my donor gave me an opportunity that I couldn’t be more grateful for.

How has SIU inspired you? It has inspired me to never give up. My professors treat me with respect and actively acknowledge my potential. This makes all of the difference.

Do you have a message you would like shared with a potential donor? Give all that you can. You aren’t simply ensuring that a student gets an education that could better only their life, you are making an investment in the future of our county and global society.

If you had $1,000 to donate to the SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit? Perhaps discounting food for students, research or for a student’s yearly expenses.

What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU? The exposure I get. I am involved in witnessing life changing research in action. I am also actively involved with labs that a majority of other potential medical students do not get to see until their second year of medical school.

You can support SIU School of Medicine during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 1: https://siuday.siu.edu/giving-day/1003/department/1393

Jordan Taylor is a junior from Morton Grove, Illinois. He is specializing in Radio, Television and, Digital Media.

Why did you choose SIU? I chose SIU because of the television department and all that it had to offer its students. I also was accepted to my number one choice media based school, but after touring SIU and hearing all the great things the college of Mass Communication and Media Arts provides, it was a no-brainer.

What inspired you to choose your area of study? I’ve worked in live television since I was in 7th grade. I worked for my church, New Life Covenant Southeast, where we broadcast four services live and it’s streamed to audiences all over the world. Working with this team really opened my eyes and allowed me to see that this is something I would like to make a career out of.

What achievement in your life are you most proud of? I can’t say there’s one achievement that I’m most proud. Over the course of my career, I have done so much to be proud of. I have directed shows with award-winning gospel recording artists. Just before classes began this school year, on August 18th I was hired at WSIL-TV 3 as their weekend morning show Newscast Director and a couple months later I won an award for Best TV-Weathercast in the state of Illinois. These are some of the accomplishments that I will always remember as my career continues to grow.

Why should someone consider donating to the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts? Anyone who has benefited from this college in anyway should consider donating. Mass Communications and Media Arts not only provides a classroom where students can learn and put their hands on some equipment that’s used in the business world, but it also provides the opportunity for students to put those skills they’ve learned to the test. This college gives students the ability to work in professional environments they would more or less encounter when they’re out in the real world.

I can say from my personal experience, the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts gave me a ton of knowledge and hands-on experience that enabled me to get a director’s position for WSIL-TV 3, an ABC affiliate station. This is only because students are given the chance to put on live student run newscasts each week with updated cameras and control room technology. Given the equipment that we use, the faculty and staff that assist students hold our level of work to those of professional newscasts and that only makes students strive to do their best.

Do you have a message you would like shared with a potential donor? It’s a fact that the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts produces outstanding results when it comes to students acquiring jobs right out of graduation or even while they’re still in school, like myself.

I stay in touch with many graduates from this college who are now working full time in their professions. One thing I’ve noticed in all of them and even in myself, was the advantages taken while they were students. This is because all of these opportunities were in the palms of our hands and that’s all thanks to generous donations by so many alumni.

If you had $1,000 to donate to the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts, what would you like to see that money benefit? Instructors and faculty do an amazing job bringing in people from around the country to show and tell students what we need to do to dominate in our fields. Last year, an award winning news videoagrapher, Lester Rose of CBS News, came in and held a two-day seminar showing us everything that has made him one of the best in the business. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it.

I say this because I would like to see that money benefit more events like this one. Bring in more people who can do what Mr. Rose did for us. I think those who attended this event improved their storytelling in news, in their shooting, as well as their editing of these stories. Learning from people who have been in the business for a long time is a great teaching tool and is something I think should be used a lot more throughout the year.

You can support SIU College of Mass Communication and Media Arts during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 1: https://siuday.siu.edu/giving-day/1003/department/1381

Dana Mitchell is a senior from Chrisman, Illinois. She is specializing in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Why did you choose SIU? The first time I visited SIU, I knew when I walked onto campus that it was where I wanted to be. It just felt like home. I didn’t even visit any other universities after that.

What inspired you to choose your area of study? I’ve always been curious about how things work and since I’m good at math I decided engineering. I chose to do computer and electrical because my dad was always working on electronic things and I found it really interesting.

What achievement in your life are you most proud of? I’m currently vice president of the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi.

Why should someone consider donating to the College of Engineering? People should consider donating to SIU College of Engineering because I have been more than just a student during my time here. I’ve gotten to know many professors and staff throughout my four years here. I feel like if I need help with something I have many people I could turn to.

Do you have a message you would like shared with a potential donor? If you are on the fence about donating, come to the college and take a look around. SIU has a lot to offer students, especially at the College of Engineering. There are so many places money could be put to good use such as our computer labs, the RSOs and their workshops, and the labs for our classes as well. Our design RSOs are making major progress and becoming serious competitors against other schools.

If you had $1,000 to donate to the College of Engineering, what would you like to see that money benefit? I would like it to go to the RSOs. I’ve been a part of different RSOs within my four years here. We always make it by on the budget we have but some extra funding would help the RSOs to prosper tremendously. If it is a competing RSO it could mean bringing home some more trophies as well!

You can support SIU College of Engineering during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 1: https://siuday.siu.edu/giving-day/1003/department/1320

James Molitor is a senior from Grayslake, Illinois. He is specializing in exercise science.

Why did you choose SIU? Both of my parents are SIU alumni and because of this, I was introduced to SIU at a very young age. When I was younger, my parents would bring me down to SIU for football and basketball games. I can remember the atmosphere of those games to this day and as a kid I was hooked on the Salukis. When it came time for me to start looking at colleges, I visited many universities but none of them provided me with that feeling of being “at home” like SIU did.

What inspired you to choose your area of study? I chose the area of kinesiology because I wanted a career after college where I could help people improve their health and overall quality of life. I also have always had a very strong interest in science.

What achievement in your life are you most proud of? The achievement in my life that I’m most proud of right now is graduating from SIU.

Why should someone consider donating to the College of Education and Human Services? Students who are a part of the College of Education and Human Services are dedicated to obtaining a degree which will later help them to give back to their communities.

Do you have a message you would like shared with a potential donor? Donating to the College of Education and Human Services will help to provide us with the best education and opportunity possible so that we can better serve the community in the future. I would also thank them for taking the time to consider donating.

If you had $1,000 to donate to the College of Education and Human Services, what would you like to see that money benefit? I would like to see that money benefit the Strong Survivors program. It is an amazing program that truly benefits cancer patients, cancer survivors and their dedicated caregivers.

You can support SIU College of Education and Human Services during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 1: https://siuday.siu.edu/giving-day/1003/department/1324

Ramesh Neupane is a PhD. student from Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Nepal. He is specializing in Educational Administration and Higher Education.

Why did you choose SIU? Four reasons:

1. My masters’ degree adviser Dr. Grace Mims did her PhD program at SIU and she recommended me to apply for this program.
2. I got accepted from few other universities but I saw the education department of SIU comes to the 76^th ranking in the whole USA.
3. I got an assistantship from my department and later from another department too, which helped me to further my schooling.
4. SIU environment made me feel more comfortable because of the diverse student population on campus.

What inspired you to choose your area of study? I did my undergraduate in accounting and felt like I am not a person who is going to sit in a chair and calculate the numbers for my whole life. I chose a major that I would like to do in my daily life, which was helping students in need. So I picked counseling focusing on student affairs for my master’s degree. Before completing my master’s degree, I had worked at the university for 2 years, which motivated me to focus on higher education as my career. I choose Educational Administration and Higher Education for my PhD program so I can work in the higher education settings for at least 7-8 years after graduation and work for United Nations afterwards.

What achievement in your life are you most proud of? When I was kid, I did not have all these facilities that I have right now. My parents worked hard every day to bring me to this position. My biggest achievement would be that I can look into my parents’ eyes and tell them I did not let their hard work go to waste. I have also learned how to be a leader, follower and public speaker.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU? Looking towards my own experience, if I did not have a scholarship I would not be able to pursue my career. Scholarships help students to focus on their studies. When students are in financial need, they have pressure all the time regarding finances. Especially, for those students who wants to purse their degree and want to bring change in society but they don’t have enough financial assistance to pursue their education, I would recommend people to consider those students and donate to SIU. Those donations will not go to waste. It is your investment for a better society.

Have you received any scholarships as a student? Yes, I have received a scholarship as a student and that scholarship helped me to to focus on my education.

What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals? Without the scholarship, I would not have been able to complete my undergraduate, graduate and PhD (current). For a student like me, who wants to complete my education and do something for better society, scholarships help a lot. I am able to fulfill my dreams and my life goals, which is bettering society with my education.

How has SIU inspired you? SIU is full of diverse students, faculty and staff, which makes my experience more comfortable. Every day I learn something new, which helps me to develop myself. I have worked in different departments at SIU: higher education department as a research assistant, Evaluation and Developmental Center as a research assistant and the Student Center as a building manager.  I have learned to be leader on campus by getting involved in various organizations, too.

Do you have a message you would like shared with a potential donor? Your one effort will change someone’s life. This change will help to bring a better society for us. There are many students who are in need of financial help. Even though they have potential to do something great, their financial situation prevents them from pursuing their goals.

If you had $1,000 to donate to the SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit? I would give to students with financial need who want to complete their education and do something positive for society.

What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU? Best college that I have ever attend because of diversity on campus. All faculty and staff are friendly and helpful which will make your time at SIU more comfortable.

Whether you can give $1 or $1,000, every amount matters on March 1, 2017. Help us open the door to opportunity for students. Support SIU Day of Giving at: siuday.siu.edu

Maria Napolez is a SIU law student from Los Angeles, California. She will be graduating in May 2017.

Why did you choose SIU? My dad attended SIU for medical school and has always said it altered the course of his life. SIU exposed him to a world of information that helped him discover his passion. I wanted the same experience and I have definitely gotten it! I’m excited, yet sad to be graduating in May, but I know the immense impact I’ll make with my SIU School of Law education!

What inspired you to choose your area of study? Law has always been a passion of mine. It is a profession that will allow me to help others, while simultaneously allowing me to continuously grow and learn as a person.

What achievement in your life are you most proud of? I’m most proud of my decision to pack up my life in LA, leave my fashion career, and attend law school at SIU! It has changed my life for the better! I’m more excited than ever to get back to LA with the knowledge I have gained at SIU School of Law.

Why should someone consider donating to SIU School of Law? Wow, where do I start? SIU School of Law is one of this country’s hidden gems! The warm and welcoming environment makes the difficulties of law school easier to deal with. Having visited several law schools prior to attending SIU, I never encountered such an environment where the faculty and classmates feels like family! I feel as though the faculty really goes through your law school journey with you. The support, encouragement, and random conversations in between classes with the deans, professors, and other law school faculty make my days enjoyable. I catch myself smiling for no reason sometimes, because I know I made the right choice to attend SIU School of Law. I can’t wait to donate!

Do you have a message you would like shared with a potential donor? Giving back, no matter how small the donation amount, is so helpful! The law school is such a small, close-knit environment. Every dime is felt, acknowledged, and appreciated.

If you had $1,000 to donate to the School of Law, what would you like to see that money benefit? I would give $3,000! First, $1,000 would go toward some sort of ‘appreciation’ event for the faulty to show them how much they mean to us. Another $1,000 would go toward funding a program to reach out to more minority students and fostering relationships that will encourage them to trust SIU School of Law with shaping their legal studies and legal career. And of course, $1,000 would go toward free coffee every day, for everyone!

You can support SIU School of Law during SIU Day of Giving on Wednesday, March 1: https://siuday.siu.edu/giving-day/1003/department/1422