Major gifts, namings highlight year filled with incredible generosity
The SIU Foundation’s record-breaking fiscal year was highlighted by major gifts and naming ceremonies across campus.
SIU Simmons Law School
In February 2024, John and Jayne Simmons announced a $10 million gift to SIU’s law school. In honor of their generosity, the SIU Board of Trustees voted to formally name the SIU Simmons Law School.
This historic gift – the largest SIU Carbondale has ever received – further cements Simmons’ legacy at SIU, which includes a $10.2 million commitment to the Simmons Cancer Institute at the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.
“The SIU university system has provided me with many opportunities to better my life,” John Simmons said. “A thriving law school will help support others in southern Illinois who are working hard day-to-day to improve their own lives. SIU holds a special place for me. I would really like people to look at Simmons Law School as an attainable place where they are welcome, they belong, and they can thrive.”
Tedrick Welcome Center
In October 2023, Roger and Sally Tedrick announced a $6 million gift to support the construction of the university’s new welcome center. In honor of this incredible donation, the SIU Board of Trustees approved the naming of the new building to be the Tedrick Welcome Center.
The state-of-the-art welcome center will be the first stop for prospective students. Open houses, campus tours, orientations, and other events will begin at the welcome center. The building, scheduled to be completed in May 2026, will include a visitor center capable of hosting conferences, lectures, seminars and catered events for up to 300 people, and the philanthropy center, which will be the new home of the SIU Foundation. It will also serve as a hub for donor visits, alumni activities and campus and community events.
“This university is moving forward in an exciting way, imagining a future with more students and prolific success,” Roger Tedrick said. “Sally and I knew we wanted to be part of something that would make a tremendous impact, and this welcome center is just that. It will be the launching point for thousands of Saluki journeys.”
Sharp Museum
Also in October 2023, Professor James Franklin Sharp was honored for making a $1 million gift to support the university museum, which was then named Sharp Museum in his honor. The Southern Illinois Gallery was also renamed as the Mrs. Rosanna Sharp Myers Southern Illinois Gallery, after Sharp’s sister.
Professor Sharp attended SIU from 1954 to 1956, but the university didn’t offer a four-year degree in engineering at that time. Still, he said he always felt a strong connection to the university.
While an SIU student, he played seven intramural sports, including football, corkball, basketball, volleyball, softball, badminton, and horseshoes. He was a member of the Theta Xi fraternity.
“I guess I would say I enjoyed my time at SIU more than the other colleges I attended,” Professor Sharp said.
SIU Credit Union Trailhead
In September 2023, ground was broken on the SIU Credit Union Trailhead at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. The project is funded by a $500,000 donation from the credit union.
Chancellor Austin Lane was joined by state Sen. Dale Fowler and representatives from SIU Credit Union, Touch of Nature, Fager-McGee Construction, the SIU Foundation, and the university for a groundbreaking ceremony.
“We knew that we needed to do something for SIU and the region," said Mike Lantrip, CEO of SIU Credit Union. “We think it’s going to be something that helps put Southern Illinois on the map even more.”
