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Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the SIU Foundation will celebrate the grand opening of the Tedrick Welcome Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2026, at the university\u2019s main entrance off U.S. Highway 51.<\/p>\n
The event recognizes the leadership and vision of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors and honors the generosity of Roger and Sally Tedrick, SIU Foundation emeritus board members, and donors whose support made the Tedrick Welcome Center possible. The 44,000-square-foot facility is funded entirely through the SIU Foundation through a combination of Foundation reserves, fundraising and borrowing. No taxpayer dollars, tuition revenue, student fees or state funds are being used to construct the Tedrick Welcome Center.<\/p>\n
The Tedrick Welcome Center will serve as the home of the SIU Foundation and include a 14,000-square-foot welcome center designed as a central hub for campus engagement. The space will anchor campus tours, open houses, orientations, alumni and donor engagement, and special events, providing a welcoming introduction to SIU for prospective students, families and visitors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis building is going to blow students away and help us seal the deal,\u201d SIU Chancellor Austin Lane said during the groundbreaking ceremony. \u201cYou never get a second chance to make a first impression.\u201d<\/p>\n
The southern wing of the building houses the SIU Foundation, creating a centralized home for fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. The main visitor center will be capable of hosting conferences, lectures, seminars and catered events for up to 300 people. Interactive exhibits throughout the facility highlight SIU\u2019s academic programs, research and campus resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a dedicated space for the SIU Foundation within the Tedrick Welcome Center strengthens how we engage alumni and donors on campus,\u201d Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation, said. \u201cIt allows us to better share the impact of philanthropy, deepen relationships, and create more meaningful connections between our supporters and the students they help make successful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guests attending the May 1 ribbon-cutting celebration will enjoy heavy hors d\u2019oeuvres and an open bar while commemorating this milestone and touring the new facility.<\/p>\n
A public open house will follow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Community members are invited to experience the space, interact with its features and enjoy food trucks on site. All are welcome.<\/p>\n
Located on the former site of McAndrew Stadium, the Tedrick Welcome Center represents SIU\u2019s first major on-campus construction project in more than a decade and reflects the university\u2019s continued investment in recruitment, engagement and student success.<\/p>\n
To register for the ribbon-cutting celebration, visit siuf.org\/events<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the SIU Foundation will celebrate the grand opening of the Tedrick Welcome Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2026, at the university\u2019s main entrance off U.S. Highway 51. The event recognizes the leadership and vision of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors and … Continue reading Tedrick Welcome Center Grand Opening Set for May 1<\/span>