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Southern Illinois University Carbondale\u2019s student-focused Forever SIU campaign has surpassed its $75 million goal with seven months to go.<\/p>\n
More than 26,000 donors have made more than 60,000 individual gifts since the three-year campaign launched in January 2017. Of the $75.3 million raised to date, nearly $40 million supports student scholarships and $33 million has been committed to academic programs. The balance goes toward facilities, technology, faculty initiatives and more. The campaign is scheduled to continue through December 2019.<\/p>\n
Chancellor John M. Dunn said the success of\u00a0Forever SIU: The Campaign for Students<\/em>\u00a0speaks to the loyalty of SIU\u2019s alumni and friends.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring our 150th<\/sup>\u00a0year, we are celebrating the tradition, pride and promise of SIU,\u201d he said. \u201cThe investment of our loyal donors in our students and our future reflect all three: the Saluki tradition of giving back, pride in our university and the promise of things to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Dunn said the university will continue to reach out to donors during the remaining months of the campaign and beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cWe view the goal as a floor, not a ceiling,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will continue to welcome support that will help us attract and retain students and ensure that our academic programs remain strong.<\/p>\n Dan Korte, a member of the SIU Foundation Board who is co-chair of the Forever SIU campaign committee, said the board had several goals in mind when it worked with the university to launch the campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cWe wanted to demonstrate our commitment to SIU and the region. We also wanted to make a statement about the university\u2019s momentum by launching a campaign that would culminate during SIU\u2019s 150th<\/sup>\u00a0year,\u201d said Korte, a 1985 graduate of SIU\u2019s College of Engineering. \u201cIn addition, many donors and members of the board wouldn\u2019t have been able to attend SIU without financial support from donors. We wanted to pay it forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Rae Goldsmith, chief executive officer of the SIU Foundation, described the campaign as a partnership between the university, the foundation, and alumni and friends who care about SIU.<\/p>\n \u201cMany people want to contribute to the university\u2019s success, but they may not always know where to start,\u201d she said. \u201cThe campaign helps build those connections. The university\u2019s role is to identify and support the needs of its students and programs.\u00a0 The foundation\u2019s role is to connect those needs to the interests and passions of donors. The donors are at the heart of the partnership making a positive difference. Every connection, every gift, matters.\u201d<\/p>\n To learn more about the Forever SIU campaign, visit\u00a0foreversiu.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Engage with us on\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Southern Illinois University Carbondale\u2019s student-focused Forever SIU campaign has surpassed its $75 million goal with seven months to go. More than 26,000 donors have made more than 60,000 individual gifts since the three-year campaign launched in January 2017. Of the $75.3 million raised to date, nearly $40 million supports student scholarships and $33 million has … Continue reading 150 Stories of Philanthropy: Forever SIU campaign exceeds $75 million goal<\/span>