Bequests totaling more than $1 million will enhance student scholarship, teaching and research opportunities in two Southern Illinois University Carbondale departments.<\/p>\n
Lowell and Janet Anderson, of Morristown, N.J., left $700,000 to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The couple died just weeks apart in late 2012. Lowell Anderson, a native of Burnt Prairie, Ill., in White County, earned a bachelor\u2019s degree from SIU Carbondale in 1956.<\/p>\n
Cornelia \u201cConnie\u201d Wilber, of Westfield, N.J., also passed away in 2012, leaving $366,300 to the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education. She earned a doctorate with a major in education in 1977 from the university.<\/p>\n
The chemistry and biochemistry department is developing a five-year plan for use of the funds. Gary Kinsel, professor and chair, said he expects some funds will support a small number of large scholarships for academically high-performing students majoring in chemistry. The gift also will support a number of smaller annual undergraduate scholarships, and a \u201cmodest amount\u201d will support a number of summer research scholarship awards to graduate students in the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis type of alumni support is absolutely critical to the success of our program,\u201d Kinsel said.<\/p>\n
Todd Headrick, professor and chair of educational psychology and special education, said the Wilber gift will benefit the three programs in the department: special education, counselor education, and educational measurement and statistics. Special education is the only program area that offers an undergraduate degree program in the department.<\/p>\n
He said funds will go toward technology updates needed for teaching and scholarly work; accreditation expenses; licenses for software updates; and helping with the costs of faculty and graduate students participating in professional development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Bequests totaling more than $1 million will enhance student scholarship, teaching and research opportunities in two Southern Illinois University Carbondale departments. Lowell and Janet Anderson, of Morristown, N.J., left $700,000 to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The couple died just weeks apart in late 2012. Lowell Anderson, a native of Burnt Prairie, Ill., in … Continue reading Bequests support student scholarships, research<\/span>