{"id":4201,"date":"2025-03-03T15:48:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T15:48:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4201"},"modified":"2025-04-11T13:36:57","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T13:36:57","slug":"saluki-ball-comes-to-carbondale-on-saturday-april-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4201","title":{"rendered":"Saluki Ball: Supporting current SIU students"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2024 Saluki Ball Highlight\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HWOl0nHjGuY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Event is Saturday, April 26, in the Student Center Ballrooms<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>By Jeff Wilson<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>CARBONDALE &#8211; The Saluki Ball, a major fundraiser for current SIU students, is coming to Carbondale this year. After two incredible years in Chicago, the SIU Foundation is excited to bring this year&#8217;s event home.<\/p>\n<p>Presented by Dr. Glenn and Jo Poshard, the third annual Saluki Ball will be Saturday, April 26, at the SIU Student Center Ballrooms.<\/p>\n<p>This black-tie optional event raises funds that bridge the financial gap for students who need assistance staying enrolled at SIU. When a student needs help with their bursar bill, these funds help keep them in school and on track for graduation. This support is invaluable in Southern&#8217;s mission to increase enrollment, enhance retention efforts, and support its students from start to finish.<\/p>\n<p>Each of the past two years, hundreds of Salukis and SIU supporters have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through the ball.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur focus is on our students, especially those who need your help the most,\u201d said Chancellor Lane. \u201cWe must ensure the students that we bring to Carbondale or who enroll in online courses are able to stay enrolled and finish with their degree.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/aesbid.com\/ELP\/SIU25\/Tickets\">GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2024 Saluki Ball: Bridge the Gap Fundraiser\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mYYRe4yfFNE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>The support<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Students who have received funds that help them stay in school have shared the impact it has made on them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople who didn\u2019t even know me believe in me and took the time to invest in my future,\u201d said SIU student Francesca Stewart. \u201cIt prevented me from having to go back home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The funds that bridge the gap between semesters are core to the university\u2019s mission of accessibility. Keeping students enrolled is integral to continuing the momentum at SIU.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReceiving bridge-the-gap funds was major for me because I was on that line of whether I was going to finish my semester,\u201d said student George Douglas IV. \u201cThat call saying I was getting alumni support, it changed everything. It changed my future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Southern has long prided itself on being accessible to students of diverse backgrounds, providing opportunities to those who may not otherwise be able to achieve their educational dreams.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I came to SIU because it was one of the only schools able to help me through the Exploratory Student Program. Once I got here, I wanted to stay because of the people I met,&#8221; said Jashaun Murray, who studied social work at SIU. &#8220;You&#8217;re helping someone. You&#8217;re changing a life. You changed my life.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The event<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. There will be a live musical performance from multi-platinum recording artists Expos\u00e9 at 8:30 p.m., and the evening will wrap up with a DJ and dancing at 9:30 p.m.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4204\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4204\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4204\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Saluki-Ball-Expose-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Expose\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Saluki-Ball-Expose-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Saluki-Ball-Expose-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Saluki-Ball-Expose.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4204\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Multi-platinum recording artists Expos\u00e9 will be the featured performer during the Saluki Ball on Saturday, April 26, at the SIU Student Center Ballroom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Saluki Ball features numerous sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $50,000 to $5,000. Each sponsorship includes varying levels of benefits and recognition before and during the event. Tables of 8 are $1,600, and individual tickets are $200.<\/p>\n<p>The inaugural ball in 2023 was sponsored by <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=3163\">the Honorable Glenn and Mrs. Jo Poshard<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=3221\">ULLICO, Inc., and Laborers\u2019 Local 773<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe both love the university. It gave us both opportunities we would have never had otherwise,\u201d Dr. Glenn Poshard said. \u201cThe purpose of the ball \u2013 supporting low-income students \u2013 is consistent with what we believe in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ed Smith, president and CEO of ULLICO, passed away in 2024. He voiced his support of the Saluki Ball before the 2023 event.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSIU is the crown jewel of Southern Illinois. It\u2019s the economic engine of this region, and we are committed to SIU,\u201d\u00a0 Smith said at the time.<\/p>\n<p>In both 2023 and 2024, <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=3538\">College of Business and Analytics alumnus F. Lynn McPheeters<\/a> has been a major sponsor of the ball.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis event celebrates SIU\u2019s reputation for providing a first-class education and will raise money for scholarships,\u201d said McPheeters. \u201cIt pains me that so many people are coming out of school with mounds of debt. In recognition of this situation, the SIU Foundation has significantly increased its efforts to provide scholarship assistance, as so many other universities have done.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/aesbid.com\/ELP\/SIU25\/Tickets\">GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Honoring Salukis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Each year, the Saluki Ball honors alumni, friends of the university, and students who have gone above and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>In total, there have been five Saluki Lifetime Achievement Awards handed out. In 2023, the recipients were Drs. Phil and Pam Pfeffer. In 2024, the recipients were Greg Cook, Scott Moller, and Tonnette &#8220;Toni&#8221; Williams.<\/p>\n<p>The student award winners have been Luis Barrera, BriYanna Robinson, Emily Bakri, and Dylan Chambers.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Saluki Ball 2023: Saluki Lifetime Achievement Awards\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cN4a-IsHU4s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2024 Saluki Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Greg Cook\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9AqsyTVti9c?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2024 Saluki Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Scott Moller\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/M-f1RsQDqvg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2024 Saluki Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Tonnette &quot;Toni&quot; Williams\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ys6u7NVBbxk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3242\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3242\" style=\"width: 456px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3242\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_1679-copy-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Luis Barrera with Mrs. Lane and Chancellor Lane\" width=\"456\" height=\"304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_1679-copy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_1679-copy-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_1679-copy-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_1679-copy.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3242\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Luis Barrera received the Saluki Success Award in 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3243\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3243\" style=\"width: 456px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3243\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_1680-copy-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"BriYanna Robinson\" width=\"456\" height=\"304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_1680-copy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_1680-copy-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_1680-copy-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_1680-copy.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3243\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">BriYanna Robinson received the Saluki Success Award in 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4294\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4294\" style=\"width: 456px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4294\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/dylan-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Dylan Chambers\" width=\"456\" height=\"304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/dylan-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/dylan-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/dylan.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4294\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dylan Chambers receIved the Saluki Success Award in 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4295\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4295\" style=\"width: 461px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4295\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Emily-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Emily-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Emily-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Emily.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 461px) 100vw, 461px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4295\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Emily Bakri received the Saluki Success Award in 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Event is Saturday, April 26, in the Student Center Ballrooms By Jeff Wilson CARBONDALE &#8211; The Saluki Ball, a major fundraiser for current SIU students, is coming to Carbondale this year. After two incredible years in Chicago, the SIU Foundation is excited to bring this year&#8217;s event home. Presented by Dr. Glenn and Jo Poshard, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4201\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Saluki Ball: Supporting current SIU students<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events-engagement","category-siu"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4201"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4201\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4416,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4201\/revisions\/4416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}