From the President
The SIU Foundation: Building Momentum and Expanding Opportunity
Serving as president of the SIU Foundation Board of Directors has been both an honor and a joy. Over the past two years, I’ve witnessed the incredible impact of philanthropy — seeing gifts transformed into scholarships, programs, and opportunities that truly change lives. I am deeply grateful to our alumni, friends, Foundation board and staff for their generosity and dedication.
This past year was one of remarkable progress. Supporters contributed $39 million in Fiscal Year 2025 — the second-highest total in Foundation history — advancing scholarships, research, and capital projects that will benefit SIU for generations.
In addition, we awarded a record $5.6 million in scholarships to more than 2,000 students, representing over 17% of our student body — a 135% increase since FY19. This scholarship support has been a highlight of my tenure and has grown over 135% since FY 2019!
Our Imagine SIU 2030 campaign surpassed $400 million toward its $500 million goal, ranking among the top five fundraising efforts in Illinois public university history. Highlights included the groundbreaking of the Tedrick Welcome Center and the dedication of the Gower Translational Research Center.
Engagement also reached new heights through the Saluki Takeover Tours, which connected with more than 1,500 alumni across 14 cities and 17 Southern Illinois counties and strengthened partnerships and Saluki pride across the region.
And our annual traditions continued in signature events, including the Saluki Women’s Weekend and the Saluki Ball, which brought together hundreds of alumni and friends in support of students. Additionally, the SIU Day of Giving — held twice in 2024 — raised more than $4.3 million in total.
We also celebrated national recognition as one of only 21 universities in the nation to earn dual Carnegie designations as both a Research 1 and an Opportunity University — affirming SIU’s commitment to excellence and access. This rare distinction confirms what Salukis have always known: SIU is both excellent and accessible.
Finally, we proudly launched The Impact Report, a new television series highlighting the people and stories behind our shared success.
As I complete my term as president, I am thankful for the trust you have placed in me and proud of what we accomplished together. The momentum we’ve built is strong, and I know the Foundation will continue to thrive under Dan Korte’s leadership.
With gratitude,
Diane Compardo President, SIU Foundation Board
