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Taylor Williams\u00a0is a senior from Carterville, Illinois. She is studying civil engineering<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Why did you choose SIU?<\/strong> I chose SIU because it is close to home, had an accredited engineering program, and offered scholarship opportunities to me as an incoming freshman.<\/p>\n What inspired you to choose your area of study?<\/strong>\u00a0 I really like math.<\/p>\n What achievement in your life are you most proud of?<\/strong> I am most proud of the person that I have become. There is no one specific achievement that I am most proud of because everything that I have accomplished and have not accomplished have made me into the person that I am today.<\/p>\n Why should someone consider donating to SIU?<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Attending college is expensive.\u00a0 State schools do not receive the same support from federal and state government as it has in the past.\u00a0 In order to remain affordable, SIU has had to invest institutional resources into assisting students.\u00a0 Donors who give money to SIU can help with that institutional investment by providing scholarships to us-the students.<\/p>\n Have you received any scholarships as a student?<\/strong> Yes<\/p>\n What does the scholarship mean to you and how has it enabled you to pursue your goals?\u00a0<\/strong>The scholarship I received as an incoming student helped me decide to enroll at SIU.\u00a0 The scholarships that I have received as an engineering student motivate me to continue to excel in the classroom and get involved in campus.<\/p>\n How has SIU inspired you?<\/strong> SIU has inspired me to become more involved and to live college life to the fullest. I came here to receive an education but have received so much more than that through making friends in the dorms and joining a sorority.<\/p>\n Do you have a message you would like shared with a potential donor?\u00a0<\/strong>Every donation counts and is appreciated.\u00a0 Students today need scholarship opportunities to help with the cost of college.\u00a0 Four years of college will cost more than $100,000.\u00a0 Even families who don\u2019t have financial need experience\u00a0difficulties coming up with the money to pay for college.\u00a0 Scholarship opportunities should exist for students who work hard, earn good grades, and get involved.<\/p>\n If you had $1,000 to donate to the SIU, what would you like to see that money benefit?<\/strong> College of Engineering scholarship opportunities.<\/p>\n What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about SIU?\u00a0<\/strong>When I tell my friends about SIU, I brag mostly about my experience here. My teachers have always been willing to help me with things that I don\u2019t understand. I get to do experiments to further my understanding of material taught in class. The staff is always working with me when I need help finding experience outside of school such as internships and externships.<\/p>\n Whether you can give $1 or $1,000, every amount matters on March 1, 2017. Help us open the door to opportunity for students. Support SIU Day of Giving at: siuday.siu.edu<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n