![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/matt-solverson.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
By Rebecca Renshaw<\/p>\n
Ask anyone what they remember about their college years and chances are you\u2019ll hear about unforgettable moments, lifelong friendships, and stories about memorable classes and professors. For Matt Solverson, SIU has played a prominent role throughout his entire life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always been deeply connected to SIU as my late father was an SIU professor teaching agribusiness economics for 32 years,\u201d he said. \u201cMy mother earned her master\u2019s degree in special education from SIU, and I met my wife, Christy, as we both earned degrees while at SIU. I attended Carbondale schools, so I was always on campus with my family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Solverson is a 1986 graduate of the College of Engineering and a member of the college\u2019s Industrial Advisory Board. He is the Director of Research and Development Programs at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, where he has been employed for over 30 years.<\/p>\n
Solverson can point to several areas where SIU played a significant role in his upbringing. His family has held season tickets for SIU athletic events for many years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember being on campus as a young boy with my father, and he would take me to his office. We would go to the basketball and football games, and that is where my love of SIU Athletics began. I would say our blood definitely runs maroon\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
After serving on the SIU Foundation board for several years, Solverson will begin his tenure as president of the board on July 1, 2021.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have watched the SIU Foundation step up instead of sit down when the pandemic hit last year. Together, we have furthered our mission, and we stand eager to move forward together as we continue into this fiscal year,\u201d he said. \u201cI am so honored and excited to lead the board as president. The future looks promising for SIU, and I can\u2019t wait to see where the next few months lead us.\u201d<\/p>\n
His wife, Judge Christy Solverson, a two-degree alumna of SIU, serves as Presiding Circuit Judge for Jackson County in the First Judicial Circuit. The Solversons have one adult daughter and reside in Carbondale.<\/p>\n
Engage with us on\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Rebecca Renshaw Ask anyone what they remember about their college years and chances are you\u2019ll hear about unforgettable moments, lifelong friendships, and stories about memorable classes and professors. For Matt Solverson, SIU has played a prominent role throughout his entire life. \u201cI have always been deeply connected to SIU as my late father was … Continue reading Matt Solverson: A Lifetime Saluki<\/span>