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By Ava Steffens<\/p>\n
Phillip Hartke, a senior from Sidney, Illinois, is a scholarship recipient majoring in industrial management and applied engineering at Southern Illinois University. His involvement in Undergraduate Student Government, Greek Life and service as a volunteer firefighter has allowed him to positively impact student life and shape his own future.<\/p>\n
Saluki spirit runs deep in his family, he said, as Hartke is the 17th member to attend SIU. His parents met on campus, and his younger sister is now continuing the tradition as a first-year student.<\/p>\n
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Hartke said that his goal in attending SIU is to pay it forward and help other students find their place at the university. A large part of his college experience has been the sense of community SIU provides. Unlike many other universities, he said that Carbondale cultivates a unique student base that is tightly bound.<\/p>\n
\u201cI could have chosen any other school in the state,\u201d he said. \u201cBut whenever I came to SIU, it was apparent to me that the teachers actually cared, and that I wasn\u2019t just a number.\u201d<\/p>\n
He began his time at SIU as a civil engineering major but later switched to industrial management and applied engineering to better align with his career goals. Through this program, he secured an internship with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, supporting operations and program management efforts.<\/p>\n
Hartke has also been extensively involved with Undergraduate Student Government, serving as president during his second year at SIU. He learned he had received his scholarship at the end of the following year\u2019s election cycle, an experience that he refers to as the \u201cwind in his sails.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if things didn\u2019t work out, which they ultimately didn\u2019t, I still had a lot to be grateful for,\u201d he said. \u201cThis was the first time I\u2019ve received an extra scholarship while I\u2019ve been at SIU, so it was a very welcome surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hartke received the Friends of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Scholarship, which is funded through the institute\u2019s donor pool. This past fall, he attended the annual scholarship dinner, where he recalled a meaningful interaction with his scholarship donor, Matt Baughman.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s gotten to know just about everything at the whole university,\u201d Hartke said. \u201cAnyone that\u2019s ever come around, the history of it, and the goals of the university going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Oftentimes, students must find a balance between working in college and remaining engaged in academics and campus leadership. Although Hartke held a range of paid and unpaid roles during his time at SIU \u2014 including a nightclub bouncer, distributor, intern and volunteer firefighter \u2014 the scholarship allowed him to focus more on his studies and extracurricular involvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve worked throughout college, but receiving this scholarship gave me the margin to lead at a higher level,\u201d he said. \u201cIt allowed me to invest more time into service, student government, and building organizations that will outlast my time here.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Firefighters](\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/phillip-hartke-volunteer-firefighter-169x300.jpg\")
In addition to his academics, Hartke and several peers reestablished the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity chapter at SIU in 2022. The organization provided him with valuable connections and leadership experience, motivating him to take on roles such as serving on the advisory board for Saluki Athletics. He described TKE as a community\u2011focused, philanthropic group of \u201clike\u2011minded men\u201d committed to doing good and preparing for future success.<\/p>\n
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During his time in TKE, he has helped conduct numerous fundraising events benefiting organizations like St. Jude Children\u2019s Research Hospital. The chapter focuses on community service goals and mentoring younger fraternity members. Hartke said that he admires those who try to give their time or resources to their institution, as he hopes to do so through his own work.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been incredibly rewarding,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can\u2019t buy back the time, but you can help someone else take advantage of the time that they have in front of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
After he graduates in May, Hartke plans to attend law school and pursue a career involving engineering, business, and public service. When thinking about his future, he said he is optimistic, as he will have no debt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I\u2019ve seen everything that SIU Carbondale has to offer,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd for that reason, I\u2019m not scared of what comes next.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Friends of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Scholarship is funded through a pool of contributions from multiple donors. This initiative helps position SIU as one of only 21 universities nationwide \u2014 out of 4,000 \u2014 classified as both a Research 1 institution and an Opportunity University. This designation underscores the university\u2019s commitment to discovery, access and expanding student opportunities.<\/p>\n
For those inspired by Phillip Hartke\u2019s story, supporting scholarships through the SIU Foundation is a meaningful way to invest in future Salukis. Your contribution opens pathways and help create life\u2011changing opportunities. To give, visit siuf.org\/give<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Ava Steffens Phillip Hartke, a senior from Sidney, Illinois, is a scholarship recipient majoring in industrial management and applied engineering at Southern Illinois University. His involvement in Undergraduate Student Government, Greek Life and service as a volunteer firefighter has allowed him to positively impact student life and shape his own future. Saluki spirit runs … Continue reading The Impact of Giving: Shaping Phillip Hartke\u2019s Path at SIU<\/span>