{"id":4365,"date":"2025-03-26T17:05:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T17:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4365"},"modified":"2025-03-26T18:55:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T18:55:18","slug":"legence-bank-invests-in-student-success-at-siu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4365","title":{"rendered":"Legence Bank invests in student success at SIU"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Legence
SIU Chancellor Austin Lane; Kevin Beckemeyer, president and CEO of Legence Bank; Tricia Overturf, vice president of marketing and communications at Legence Bank; and Wendell Williams, SIU vice chancellor for enrollment management. The group gathered for a check presentation celebrating Legence Bank\u2019s $137,500 investment in the Legence Bank Saluki Commitment Scholarship.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CARBONDALE \u2013 With a commitment of $137,500 to Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Legence Bank is helping bring a Saluki education within reach of local students.<\/p>\n

The Legence Bank Saluki Commitment Scholarship will provide tuition funds for 11 students each year as part of the Aim High\/Saluki Commitment program, which covers tuition for eligible in-state students. The students will be chosen from the 11 Southern Illinois communities served by Legence Bank.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis partnership with Legence Bank is going to go a long way to keeping students right here in our own backyard. That is extremely important to us,\u201d said Chancellor Austin Lane during a check presentation Tuesday, March 25, in the Student Services Building at SIU.<\/p>\n

Kevin Beckemeyer, president and CEO of Legence Bank, noted the bank\u2019s enthusiasm for partnering with SIU.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Legence Bank, we believe in the strength of our community and the importance of investing in the future. Our motto \u2013 Legence Loves Local \u2013 demonstrates our commitment to supporting local scholarships, and this reflects our dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders in Southern Illinois,\u201d said Beckemeyer, a 1983 graduate of SIU\u2019s College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences. \u201cTogether, we can foster growth, inspire change, and create a brighter future for all.\u201d<\/p>\n

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SIU and Legence Bank leaders gathered to celebrate the launch of the Legence Bank Saluki Commitment Scholarship, supporting students from 11 Southern Illinois communities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThis initiative is not just about funding; it\u2019s about investing in our community\u2019s future,\u201d Beckemeyer added. \u201cBy providing full-ride scholarships to students in the market areas we serve, we are empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators. We believe that education should be attainable for all, and this partnership exemplifies our dedication to making that a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

The donation comes as part of the SIU Foundation\u2019s ongoing Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has a goal of raising $500 million by June 2028. It is the fifth largest such campaign in the history of Illinois higher education. More than $390 million has been raised thus far, and corporate partners such as Legence Bank have made an enormous impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe partnership between Southern Illinois University and Legence Bank represents a significant step forward in our commitment to educational accessibility,\u201d said Tricia Overturf, vice president of marketing and communications at Legence Bank. \u201cBy collaborating on this initiative, we aim to bridge the gap between existing grants and scholarships, ensuring that students from Southern Illinois have the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams without the burden of financial stress.\u201d<\/p>\n

To learn more about the campaign or make a gift, visit siuf.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Committed to Salukis<\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Saluki Commitment<\/a> guarantees that tuition and mandatory fees are fully covered for four (transfer students) or eight (freshman students) consecutive semesters at no cost to students or families.<\/p>\n

Recipients must meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n